Bahamians perform well at Sarasota Invitational Regatta

The annual George Alexandru Sarasota Invitational Regatta (SIR) continues to be a beacon of growth and enthusiasm in the rowing community. Held in February at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota County, Florida, the site of the renowned 2017 World Rowing Championships and 2018 Masters World Rowing Championships, the event showcased the talent of youth and masters rowers over three exciting days. In its first year, the SIR featured just over 300 boat entries and 600 competitors.

Fast forward 10 years, and the event now boasts nearly 800 boat entries and over 1,500 individual competitors, reflecting its remarkable growth and increasing popularity. The Sarasota County Rowing Club (SCRC) hosted the event, and the club extends its gratitude to the more than 200 volunteers, numerous sponsors, and over 1,500 participants who contributed to making the regatta a success. The regatta produced some impressive performances.



Alessandra Callender led the charge for The Bahamas with a first-place finish in her heat, clocking a time of 7:03. Her performance was the third fastest among 21 competitors. In the Men’s Quadruple Sculls (4x), the team of Sandor Bianchi, Jabari Gomes, Andre Forbes and Isaiah Ellis finished sixth in their heat with a time of 5:42, placing 16th out of 23 overall.

The Women’s Quadruple Sculls (4x) team, featuring Callender, Priya Alexander, Leah Cartwright and Jaiden Mackey, clinched first place in their heat with a time of 5:54, and finished fourth out of 24 teams. Ellis, competing in the Boys’ Single Scull (1x), finished sixth in his heat in 6:06, ranking 16th out of 22. In the Women’s Double Sculls (2x), Callender and Cartwright took first place in their heat, clocking 6:12, and ranked fourth out of 33 competitors.

Lily Alexander and Olivia Alvarez, also competing in the Women’s Double Sculls, finished fifth in their heat in 6:51, placing 24th out of 33 teams. The Men’s Double Sculls (2x) teams also delivered noteworthy performances. Bianchi and Ellis finished fourth in their heat with a time of 5:39, securing 12th place out of 39 teams.

Gomes and Forbes finished sixth in their heat in 6:18, placing 34th out of 39 teams. Beatrise Bethel, an assistant coach, expressed great satisfaction with the rowers’ performances. “The performances from the rowers were absolutely extraordinary,” she stated.

“They really worked hard, and it gets me excited as a coach to see my rowers see the fruits of their labor and to see them progress in the sport. Rowing is still developing, and it makes me excited for the things to come.” Bethel noted that for some rowers, this was their first time competing, and taking home a medal was a significant achievement.

“To see the excitement on their faces was rewarding. They carried themselves at the regatta professionally with the level of sportsmanship shown. I am super excited and super passionate for the future of rowing,” she said.

The event attracted the attention of college coaches, leading to opportunities for athletes to study and row abroad..