City of Winter Park Proclaims August 2026 Winter Park Crew Month
CITY OF WINTER PARK PROCLAIMS AUGUST 2026 ‘WINTER PARK CREW MONTH’
Winter Park Crew celebrates 65 years of Championship Rowing
WINTER PARK, Fla. (August 12, 2026) — The City of Winter Park has proclaimed August 2026 as “Winter Park Crew Month,” recognizing the team’s 2026 championship achievements and 65 years of distinguished representation of the Winter Park community.
During the August 12th City Commission meeting, Mayor Sheila DeCiccio presented an official proclamation recognizing the legacy of Winter Park Crew. The honor celebrates the generations of athletes, coaches, alumni, families, and supporters whose collective dedication has built and sustained the program.
“Winter Park Crew has represented our city with tremendous pride for 65 years, and this year's championships, both here at home and on the international stage at Henley, are a testament to the discipline and dedication of these student-athletes, their coaches and their families," said Sheila DeCiccio, Mayor of Winter Park. "It is an honor to proclaim August 2026 Winter Park Crew Month and celebrate this program's legacy."
As Winter Park Crew enters the 2026-2027 season, the program continues to welcome middle and high school athletes — from those learning to row for the first time to experienced competitors pursuing championship and collegiate opportunities. Together, they represent the next generation of athletes carrying Winter Park Crew’s tradition of excellence forward.
“Since 1962 Winter Park Crew has provided athletes throughout our community with opportunities to develop perseverance and leadership through rowing,” said Tom Stickrod, Winter Park Crew Board President. “We are especially proud of our student-athletes. Their dedication, resilience and commitment to excellence — on the water, in the classroom and beyond rowing — are what continue to define our program and its success.”
Winter Park Crew: 65 Years of Championship Rowing
For 65 years, Winter Park Crew has built one of Florida’s most accomplished youth rowing traditions. Since its beginnings in 1962, generations of student-athletes, coaches, families, alumni, and volunteers have helped grow the program into a recognized force in scholastic and youth rowing, with more than 40 Florida state championships, multiple national championships, international competition, and more than 100 athletes continuing their rowing careers at the collegiate level.
That tradition remains strong today. In 2026, Winter Park Crew continued its championship tradition at the state, regional, national and international levels. The program captured its 41st Florida Scholastic Overall State Championship, with the Women’s Program earning both the Florida Scholastic Women’s and Florida Youth Women’s championships and the Men’s and Women’s programs earning multiple state medals. Nationally, the Women’s Senior 8+ won its fifth consecutive SRAA National Championship, while the Women’s Second Varsity 8+ repeated as national champions. At the USRowing Southeast Youth Championships, Winter Park Crew earned gold, silver and bronze medals, and went on to compete at the USRowing Youth National Championships. Internationally, the Women’s V8+ represented Winter Park at the Henley Royal Regatta in England, advancing to the final 16 of the Prince Philip Challenge Trophy against top programs from around the world.
