Sarasota Crew breaks Guinness World Record

Sarasota Crew rowers broke five World Records for Ergathon rowing during a 10-hour event Feb. 6 outside Whole Foods Market in Sarasota.

The rowing team, which also included members of the new USF Sarasota-Manatee collegiate rowing team, broke the Guinness World Record for the most people to row 100 meters on a Concept2 rowing machine in a one-hour relay. Sarasota Crew used 164 rowers to break the previous mark of 115 people.

The team also broke four Concept2 records in the 100,000-meter row categories, fastest time by a large team Women’s Juniors (5:36:54), fastest time by a small team Women (5:36:54), fastest time by small team Women’s Juniors (5:36:54) and fastest time by small team Mixed Juniors (5:37:47).

Sarasota Crew also collected 300 pounds of food items for donation to All Faiths Food Bank.

“Today’s performances were nothing short of spectacular,” coach Casey Galvanek said.  “To cap it all off we were able to set a new Guinness World Record with the participation of over 164 Sarasota Crew rowers, coaches and parents setting the new world record for the most people to row 100 meters in an hour.”