The World Rowing Federation or FISA has selected Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, just a short distance from Bradenton, to host the World Rowing Masters Regatta in 2018.
Those who compete do so in different age categories over 1,000 meters, and are amateur or professional rowers over the age of 27.
According to Ronald Chen, member of the Masters Rowing Commission of FISA, the bid was won between the combined power of Nathan Benderson Park as a venue and the appeal of the Manatee-Sarasota area for its vacation and tourism attractions.
Director of Sports for Visit Sarasota Rob Wells commented that those rowers and their families who come for the Masters Regatta are usually people who have never been to Florida before.
Director of sports for the Bradenton Area Visitors and Convention Bureau, Sean Walter, added that these visitors tend to have professional careers with higher disposable incomes, and so their visits have a great economic impact on Bradenton and the region. His organization, along with Visit Sarasota, may be working with a flyer printing company to provide more information for these visitors about the sites and attractions in the area.
Paul Blackketter, president of the managing nonprofit of Nathan Benderson Park, commented that selecting the park, which covers 600 acres, shows the confidence that FISA has in it as a venue.
