By Trevor Metzler & Zurich Ronert
When you’re 16 and you row every night after school, rowing isn’t just something you do — it becomes part of who you are. It teaches discipline when you’re tired, focus when you’re distracted, and resilience when you’d rather quit. Over time, you realize rowing isn’t just building athletes. It’s shaping people.
That’s why the North Palm Beach Rowing Club’s fundraiser on February 27 means so much to us.
This night isn’t just about raising money. It’s about honoring the people who shaped our team, building something that will last for generations, and recognizing what rowing can give to a community when it’s truly supported.
More Than a Boathouse
The goal of the fundraiser is to support the construction of a permanent North Palm Beach Rowing Club boathouse — a state-of-the-art facility that will serve youth, high school athletes, masters rowers, and families across Palm Beach County.
To some, a boathouse may sound like just a building. To rowers, it’s a home base. It’s where early struggles turn into confidence, where teammates become family, and where habits are built that carry far beyond the water.
The new boathouse will allow NPBRC to grow its programs, host regional competitions, and establish Palm Beach County as a true rowing destination — alongside places that have been part of the sport for generations. More importantly, it creates stability and opportunity for future athletes who are just discovering the sport.
Honoring a Coach Who Changed Lives
This year’s fundraiser also carries deep meaning because it honors the late Coach Scott McKee, NPBRC’s head coach, who passed away unexpectedly in October.
Coach McKee wasn’t just focused on winning. He cared about effort, character, and accountability. He believed that rowing was a way to teach young people how to handle pressure, setbacks, and responsibility — lessons that matter long after racing ends.
A former U.S. National Team rower and collegiate coach at Rutgers and Columbia University, he brought experience and excellence to NPBRC, but what mattered most was how he made athletes feel. He believed in us, pushed us, and expected us to rise to the standard he set.
This boathouse will carry his legacy forward, not just in name, but in purpose.
Learning From the Best
One of the most meaningful parts of the evening will be hearing from Oliver Zeidler, Olympic gold medalist and one of the most dominant single scullers in the world.
For young rowers, Oliver isn’t just a champion — he’s someone we’ve studied, watched, and learned from. His discipline, consistency, and mental toughness represent what’s possible when you fully commit to the process.
The fact that an Olympic champion is flying in to support a local rowing club sends a powerful message: that what’s happening here matters. For athletes in the room, hearing directly from someone who has reached the highest level of the sport is the kind of moment that stays with you.
Built on Grit, Gratitude, and Community
North Palm Beach Rowing Club started as a grassroots effort powered by volunteers, families, and athletes who believed in what rowing could offer this community. Today, it serves middle school novices, competitive high school rowers, adult masters, and families who have made rowing part of their everyday lives.
When people support NPBRC, they’re not just supporting a sport. They’re investing in confidence, leadership, discipline, and belonging — qualities that shape strong individuals and strong communities.
For us, this fundraiser represents everything rowing has taught us: respect for those who came before us, commitment to those beside us, and responsibility to those who come next.
We hope the community will join us on February 27 to help build something that will last far beyond this season — and far beyond any one race.
Event Details
North Palm Beach Rowing Club Gala Fundraiser
📍 Frenchmans Reserve
🗓 February 27 | 6:00 PM
🎤 Keynote Speaker: Oliver Zeidler, Olympic Gold Medalist Rower
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities available HERE.
