When the severe Sunday storms rolled through North Palm Beach, the damage was felt not only on the streets but also on the water. At the North Palm Beach Rowing Club, located in Bert Winters Park, dozens of rowing shells were left scratched, broken and even holed, some tossed across the grounds.
Local impact and personal loss
Head coach Emre Cikinci arrived Monday morning to find the devastation. “When I first saw the damage I thought it might be sabotage – it was a disaster,” he said, describing the sight of brand‑new boats worth up to $60,000 lying on the grass with gaping holes.
Club director and co‑founder Jock Merriam noted this is the third major storm event to hit the organization. “Our boats are very fragile and very expensive. They’re vulnerable to the weather,” he explained, adding that each single‑person shell can cost $10,000 to $12,000, a four‑person shell about $30,000 and an eight‑person shell up to $60,000.
Fundraising for a protective boathouse
Because of the repeated damage, the nonprofit has been raising money to construct a permanent boathouse that would shield the fleet from future storms. “We’ve been working toward that goal for a while, but each storm sets us back,” Merriam said. The club is currently about halfway to its fundraising target.
Insurance helps, but the organization never comes out whole after a storm. The loss affects not only the 60 or so middle‑ and high‑school athletes who train there, but also the broader community that relies on the club’s waterway access.
Community partners and broader service
Beyond rowing, the club provides facilities for several other nonprofit groups. Adaptive and veteran kayak rowing program Shifting Gears and the Lighthouse Dragons, a breast‑cancer survivor network, both use the club’s resources. “We’re a big family here – we love the sport and the water. It’s Florida, we can row year‑round,” said Lauren Brown, director of rowing.
Local residents are being asked to contribute to the boathouse fund. Donations can be made through the club’s website, where supporters can track progress toward the goal.
How to help
Anyone interested in preserving this valuable youth and community resource can visit the North Palm Beach Rowing Club’s donation page and give what they can. Even small contributions help protect the boats and ensure that local families continue to have safe, affordable access to rowing and related programs.
Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.
