Who is OAR?

Olympia Area Rowing (OAR) promotes and provides competitive and recreational rowing for adults and youth in the local community, fostering sportsmanship, teamwork, athleticism and camaraderie. 

Founded in 1998 by five rowers, the association has grown to over 100 adult members with more than 40 high school students participating in junior programs. The volunteer-based association offers clinics and instruction for beginning rowers, coached competitive programs for high school students and adults, and access to OAR equipment boats and other equipment.

Since its creation, OAR programs and equipment have been housed in a fenced compound at the Port of Olympia's Swantown marina. 

In May of 2005, OAR moved into a new boathouse at the Port of Olympia's Swantown Marina. The boathouse is a result of a collaboration between the Port of Olympia and the City of Olympia and Olympia Area Rowing. The 5,300 square foot building houses OAR programs and equipment, the City of Olympia Parks, Arts and Recreation Department water recreation programs and TESC's rowing clubs. 

How you can support OAR

You can provide financial support to Olympia Area Rowing. Send your contributions to:

Olympia Area Rowing
P.O. Box 7148
Olympia, WA 98507-7148

Olympia Area Rowing Association (OAR) is a 501 c (3) non-profit corporation incorporated with the state of Washington - your contributions are tax deductible. In addition to recognition in the Olympia area rowing community the opportunity to name equipment and facilities goes with your generous donation.

Options for contributing to OAR include:

Swantown Boathouse:  Fundraising for the boathouse continues. Contributions will enable us to pay off the mortgage early! 

Equipment: Rowing is an equipment-intensive sport. For OAR to offer the range and quality of its programs, the following equipment is required: rowing shells (from singles to eights), oars, coaching skiffs/launches, floating docks and rowing machines or ergometers.

Scholarship Fund: The purpose of the fund is to enable the participation of all interested high school students in rowing, regardless of need.

Community Rebates at the Bayview Thriftway and Ralph's Thriftway: Rebates benefit general programs and operations.

For additional information, please contact Janet Waeschle (riosout@msn.com or 943-7759) or the web master.