Zoe Oduntan Launches Youth Rowing Club
[Written by Stephen Wright]
Twelve-year-old Zoe Oduntan has set out to build a youth rowing community in Bermuda by founding the Longtails Rowing Club.
The club, operating under the Bermuda Rowing Association [BRA], already has 12 middle- and high-school members and is seeking volunteers with sculling experience, either to coach on a volunteer basis or in a paid capacity.
Sculling, the style of rowing used in collegiate and most international competitions, first caught Oduntan’s attention two years ago when she attended the Orlando City Boat Club’s summer camp in Florida.
Soon she began training with the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club, often as the youngest rower in the boat.
“My mom was thrilled I’d found something I loved, so when I returned to school, she reached out to see if they offered rowing – but they didn’t,” Oduntan said.
“In fact, no school in Bermuda offers rowing. During one of our PE rotations, we had an erging [indoor rowing machine] period, which I really enjoyed, especially because I surprised myself with the fastest time among the girls.
“My mom then contacted my coach at CrossFit and other people she knew to see if they could connect me with a rowing coach, but we didn’t find anyone.
“She even reached out to the Bermuda Rowing Association, but they didn’t have anything for kids during the school year and couldn’t recommend a coach.
“That’s why we were so excited when the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club, a group of adult rowers, let me join.
“It meant rowing in multi-oar wooden boats with people the age of my parents or older, but I didn’t mind at all.
“I’ve been rowing with them regularly since May of last year and even participated in the last Convex mid-to-end.”
Oduntan, however, is especially drawn to sculling.
The Saltus Grammar School student believes Bermuda’s calm waters and warm climate make it the ideal environment to nurture the sport.
“Living in Bermuda, we’re lucky we can row almost year-round, and it’s so peaceful and beautiful out on the water,” she said.
“I’m convinced we could build a youth rowing community here just like we have for football, track and field, and sailing.”
Her commitment is already producing results.
Competing for the Orlando City Boat Club, she captured a bronze medal in the double and silver in the quad at the Halifax Regatta in Daytona, Florida, this summer.
“I was proud to compete despite having done only gig rowing for a year, especially since I was racing against people who scull three to five times a week with coaches,” she said.
Oduntan has ambitious plans for the Longtails Rowing Club.
It will host a “Learn to Row” programme over the first two weekends of next month, led by BRA board member and experienced sculler David Stubbs, and plans to launch a development squad in October.
“We also plan to host makeshift regattas on a regular basis,” she said.
“The cost to join is the annual Bermuda Rowing Association youth membership fee of $210, which will be paid directly to the BRA.
“We plan to run sessions two to three times a week, weather permitting, through the fall, winter, and spring terms.
“We’re also planning for Easter and summer camps and want to gauge interest now so we can plan for enough coaches and fundraising if needed.”
The club is open to middle- and high-school students of all skill levels.
“They must be able to swim 150 metres and be ready to have fun learning,” Oduntan said.
“We hope the club will someday produce students who can go on to row in college or even represent Bermuda.”
Oduntan’s inspiration was further fuelled after speaking with Dara Alizadeh, who represented Bermuda in rowing at the Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.
“I honestly feel like the sky’s the limit,” she said. “My biggest takeaway from our conversation was that rowing is a linear sport – the training you put in directly reflects in your performance.”
For more information, email longtailsrowingclub@gmail.com.
Interested coaches and volunteers can find out more by clicking on this link.
