“Ready All … Row!”

Youthful rowers eagerly hoist a skull and head out to the Indian River Lagoon to do what they love best – crew. Prior to their time on the water, they will spend over an hour working on technical development and strength training.

When Ruby Hollinger fell and sprained her ankle last year she knew her cross-country running days were over. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, the Vero Beach High School senior picked herself up and reached for an oar. 

“I knew that I needed to get involved with another sport so I started rowing and I love it,” says Ruby. “Our junior girls team got started in January. We’re very close, we work really hard, hang out together and have a lot of fun.” On a wet and windy Saturday morning before dawn, Ruby gathered with other junior members of the Indian River Rowing Club (IRRC) under the southwest end of the 17th Street bridge, they were all eager to get out on the water.

Nick Durand was with them. “I was always interested in rowing, especially after I read The Boys in the Boat; but when the club was up at the C-54 canal in Fellsmere, it was just too far to go,” says Durand. “I was really happy when I heard it had moved to Vero Beach. Rowing is the first sport I’ve done and really enjoyed – not because it’s sheer muscle, but because it’s also technical and takes teamwork.”