The Miami Rowing and Watersports Center (AKA Miami Rowing Club, MRC) was founded in 1973 by a group of veteran Cuban exiles that had competed for the old country's clubs and shared a passion for the sport.The effort quickly enlisted veteran rowers from US colleges as well as a number of local novice rowers. The original location south of the airport was moved to the Marine Stadium at the City of Miami's request in 1979 and the boathouse built in 1983.

The Miami Rowing Club is a reflection of our South Florida community. Rowers of all ages, skills and ambitions meet at the boathouse and on the water to enjoy a sport that is meant for our tropical climate. Just like Miami, we come from all over, speak many languages and represent the many aspects of rowing from beginner to hard-training competitors. We start young in the Youth Program and continue on into our seventies. Rowing in Miami - it's what we love!

Throughout the 1980s, the Miami Rowing Club's Masters and Youth rowing programs had made a name for themselves nationally and internationally. The Masters rowing program began winning gold medals at the World, and US Masters on a regular basis. This set the stage for the Board of Directors of MRC to lure the US Masters Nationals and FISA World Masters Championships to Miami in 1990 and 1991, respectively. The FISA World Masters Championships are the pinnacle achievement of the Masters rowing community. Thousands of competitors from around the world attended what was hailed by the rowing community as the most successful FISA Masters World Championships to date.

The Youth Rowing Program won many State and National championships throughout the 1980s. Through the diligence and hard work of the MRC Board of Directors, MRC hosted the 1984 US Rowing Junior National Championships at the Miami Marine Stadium. The hard work paid off, as MRC's youth program continued to grow and succeed. In 1995, the MRC Boy's Varsity eight-man shell, the sport's premier event, won the US Rowing Junior National Championship and in 2012 MRC won silver in the 2x, 4+ and 8 at the US Club National Championships. Several MRC Youth Rowing program alumni have gone on to represent the United States as part of the National team, bringing home Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals from Word Championship competition. Today, the MRC Youth Program has nearly 140 high school and middle school rowers participating in one of the most successful youth rowing programs in the country, as the program continues to excel in both state and national competitions.

MRC also hosts dragon boat, outrigger canoe and racing saling boat crews and is developing a paddling section to house kayaks and paddle boards.

Miami Rowing & Watersport Center is a Not for Profit 501(C)3 Organization - all dedicated sponsorships and donations to MRC are tax deductible per IRS regulations. The club is governed by an elected Board of Directors composed of club members.
Located on beautiful Virginia Key next to the famous Marine Stadium, our boathouse waterfront is on a protected basin off Biscayne Bay. The basin provides two parallel, 1,500 meter, 7-lane courses for training workouts or leisurely rows. Our rowers enjoy excellent water conditions almost year round.

A full range of rowing programs is offered to meet the needs and interests of our community.
• Our Youth Program serves new and experienced rowers from 6th through 12th grades.
• The Adult Learn-to-Row program introduces participants to a new sport and healthy lifestyle.
• Our competitive, adult masters programs for men and women produce many gold medal winners.
• Recreational groups get together to enjoy a relaxed time on the water.
• Private coached groups offer a social and athletic experience.
• Private lessons are available for those desiring one-on-one instruction.

The MIAMI INTERNATIONAL REGATTA, hosted by MRC since 1973, attracts many competitors, spectators and media each year around March. Encompassing both youth events and master's events, the regatta offers both good racing and an enjoyable way to experience the rowing community.

Our MISSION is to promote the sport of rowing and to provide education on the benefits of rowing for all ages and abilities.
Our VISION is to grow the rowing community to reflect the local community.
Giving through donations is key to the achievement of both out mission and vision. As a non-profit organization, all dedicated donations and gifts are deductible per IRS regulations. Please contact us for donation opportunities.

The Miami Rowing Club is governed by an elected Board of Directors, who serve either 2 year or 1 year terms. The Board oversees all rowing programs of the organization, and 1/4 of the Board is comprised of representatives from the Youth Program Committee, a committee elected by the parents of Youth Program rowers.

Board of Directors:

OFFICERS:                                   COMMITTEES:                        
President - Sergio Mendoza           Rowing
Vice President - Geoff Pearson       Paddling
Treasurer - Marina McCabe            Finance
Secretary - Bill O'Donnell
Rebeca Ramos                              MIR, Youth Chair
John Toohey Morales                     Sponsorships
Rafael Montalvo                            Youth Rowing Director

César Herrera López - Head Coach
ceherreramiamirowing@gmail.com