Oregon Rowing Unlimited - PDX

One of ORU’s sweetest traditions is our annual banquet. It is a chance to celebrate our athletes not just for what they do on the water, but for who they are in the boathouse and beyond. Each of these kids brings something special to the club. Their grit, their humor, and their heart come together to create something that truly feels like family.

Today, every athlete received an award that celebrated their unique spirit and contribution to the team. From the Smart Asher Award and the Tenacious Tandem Award, to the Gentle Giant Award, Team Cheerleader Award, and Future Star Award, each honor reflected the little moments, big personalities, and inside jokes that make this group who they are. Awards like Life on the Erg, How Hard Can It Be, The Performative Dresser, Nonchalant, Aloha, and In Game Leader reminded us that excellence comes in many forms. Every single one of these athletes helps shape the heart of ORU.

As always, we closed the night with Plamen and Nadia bursting with pride for their club and for the incredible family it continues to be.

Coach Plamen and Coach Nadia truly consider every ORU athlete part of their family, and that doesn’t stop when the athletes move on from the club. They continue to follow each rower (on and off the water): scanning college regatta results, spotting them at local races, asking siblings or parents for updates, and best of all, hearing directly from the rowers themselves.

Days like today, when rowers return to the boathouse (sporting the ORU gear they’ve likely outgrown, now paired with college paraphernalia), are the days that truly warm hearts. To see you back, hear how it’s going and take you out on the water again means everything.

See you soon and let’s do this again!

High winds at the American Lake Fall Classic kept most boats on shore, with only four of our boats able to launch.🌬️But those crews? They sure didn’t hold back. They came through in a big way, bringing home gold, silver, and bronze – along with another amazing showing by our novices. 🥇🥈🥉
To ORU’s athletes whose events got canceled - yeah, we know. Super frustrating. But you showed true sportsmanship and resilience.

Thank you to Commencement Bay Rowing Club for a fun and well-organized event!
 
🥇M Jr Varsity 4x (A)
🥈W Jr JV 4x
🥉M Jr Varsity 4x (B)
7th - M Jr Novice 8+