Rowing regatta season kicks off

The Sarasota County Rowing Club will host the second annual Sarasota Invitational Rowing Regatta Feb. 26-27 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota.

Hundreds of youth and masters team from across the country will compete in the regatta with 10 U.S. National Team rowers. National Team rowers represent the U.S. at the highest level of competition on the world state — either at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London or the World Championships — and are chosen from both a selection camp and trials process depending on the boat category.

U.S. Army veteran and breast cancer survivor Laura Schwanger, who is also a Paralympic Games gold, silver and bronze medalist in track and field and bronze medalist in rowing, will be a special participant at the regatta. An adaptive rower, Schwanger is working with the Sarasota County Rowing Club to develop an adaptive rowing program in Sarasota County. A portion of the regatta proceeds will be used to purchase special adaptive equipment for the new program.

Admission to the Sarasota Invitational is free with the exception of a $5 parking fee. Vendors will also be on hand selling food and merchandise.

For more information, visit www.sarasotainvitational.com.