The sport of rowing is a non-impact activity that involves all of the major muscle groups and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Rowing provides physical fitness, enhances skills in teamwork and leadership, can improve mental discipline, and team camaraderie.

Brenda and Marylee
Marylee and Brenad

Founded by MaryLee Verdi and Brenda Balenger in 2007, Lake Sunapee Rowing Club (LSRC) is dedicated to providing rowing opportunities to individuals of all ages, abilities, and experience within the communities surrounding Lake Sunapee, NH.

Since 2008, several hundred people have participated in rowing in the Lake Sunapee area thanks to LSRC programs. In addition to Masters and Juniors programs, LSRC also offers adaptive rowing opportunities.

Club members have competed in regional regattas, including the NH Championships, Methuen City Sprints, CRI Fall Classic, Head of the Charles, and Head of the Fish. Adaptive rowers have also participated in the Bayada Regatta in Philadelphia, PA and the Prouty annual fundraiser for the Norris Cotton Cancer Center.

LSRC is lead by an active volunteer Board of Directors. Current membership consists of approximately 50 members ranging in age from 14 to 70+. The club owns a variety of sculling shells, as well as eights and a four for sweep rowing.

Annual Appeal

While our membership dues cover our fixed costs, a vibrant club that contributes to the community needs funding from generous supporters who understand the benefits that rowing provides: healthy and active people of all ages, community interaction, environmental stewardship, educational opportunities through athletic scholarships for college, and a sustainable future for our beloved lake. 

Our 2022 fundraising goal is $50,000.  This will go a long way towards purchasing the equipment that we need, specifically:

  • Lightweight quad ($12,000-20,000) to serve in competition and practice for both junior and masters women
  • Heavyweight and lightweight doubles ($5,000-10,000 each) to serve our juniors, masters, and masters competition members. Our current doubles are our most heavily used boats, and upgrades are needed to help us stay competitive

We will also add to our capital fund, which is steadily growing in a conservative investment account. Each of the past six years the board has set aside $5,000-10,000 toward the purchase of our own permanent home on the water. 

2022 Annual Appeal$12,800$50,000

Your gift can be applied to the equipment of your choice and, if desired, feature your business or family name as a boat sponsor.  Sponsorships are $1,500 for a single, and $5,000 and $10,000 for our to-be-purchased doubles and quad, respectively.

LSRC is fortunate to call Lake Sunapee home and we are committed to preserving the beautiful resource we enjoy. We are planning to donate 5% of our fundraising to the Lake Sunapee Protective Association to support their effort of protecting the environmental quality of the Lake Sunapee watershed.  If you do not want 5% of your gift to go to LSPA, please let us know.

There are two ways to complete your gift:

  1. Send a check to LSRC, PO Box 287, New London, NH 03257
  2. Contribute electronically via PayPal to our account entitled LakeSunapeeRowing@gmail.com.