About Us
Watuppa Rowing Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides opportunities for middle and high school students in the Greater Fall River area to learn to row, race competitively, and improve post-secondary prospects for students.
WRC began as the Bay Coast Rowing Center in 2018, but re-branded as the Watuppa Rowing Center to highlight our unique location and our biggest resource - the South Watuppa Pond on which we are located in Fall River, Massachusetts. The pond consists of 1,550 acres of non-tidal water. We want to partner and share our water with all rowers, clubs, and schools in the area.
From teens to masters, military vets, para-athletes, and those training for the highest level of competition, we are building an inclusive and exciting rowing center. We'd love for you to come be a part of it! To read more about WRC's Mission, Vision, and Values, click here.
WRC is proud to hire many of our junior athletes for summer coaching jobs - creating our own pipeline from rower to coach from within. Coaches practive leadership and gain work experience to set them up for future success!
Staff
Jeffrey Soares: Director of Rowing & Coach
Previous club affiliation: Edinburgh University Boat Club, Edinburgh, Scotland; Melbourne Argonauts Rowing Club, Melbourne, Australia
Dante Procopio: Head Coach
Other club affiliations: University of Rhode Island Crew Club, Associate Head Coach; Narrow River Rowing; Osprey Rowing Club; Middlebury College, University of Rhode Island.
Board of Directors
Watuppa Rowing Center has an all-volunteer board of directors that meets monthly.
WRC is always seeking to grow our community-focused board. If you are interested to join, please reach out to Row@WatuppaRowingCenter.org and share any relevant skills and experience that you feel would benefit our organization!
Paul Cloutier; Chair
BayCoast Bank
Marie Pellegrino
BayCoast Bank
Robert F. Collins; Clerk
BankFive
Thomas Darling
US Rowing; US Olympics Silver Medalist
Lou Berl
Collegiate rowing coach: Harvard, Trinity College, UVA, Ohio State
Paul Medeiros
BankFive
Taylor Roberts
US Rowing Pararowing athlete
Emma Pontes;Treasurer
BayCoast Bank
Nikita L. Valencia
College Unbound