IT WAS A BLAST FOR THREE ROWERS, NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP WAS A HOMECOMING A SEASON OF CHAMPIONSHIPS AND BOO, TOO! - Nathan Benderson Park
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SUMMER 2021 J U LY 3 , 2 0 2 1 IT WAS A BLAST FOR THREE ROWERS, NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP WAS A HOMECOMING A SEASON OF CHAMPIONSHIPS… AND BOO, TOO!
Family Fun!
It’s a great way to experience
NBP, family style! Try out
stand-up paddleboarding,
kayaking, canoes, fishing
and even sailing — on a
15-foot sailboat with captain!
(Wednesday NBP Rec Days!
are ideal for homeschool
students!) NBP Rec Days!
are at the base of the finish
tower on Regatta Island.
See you here!
See admission fees on our website.
Learn
2 NBP more! Visit nathanbendersonpark.org/recdays
INSIDE
A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION
OF SUNCOAST AQUATIC NATURE
CENTER ASSOCIATES AT
NATHAN BENDERSON PARK
RON SHAPO, J.D.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
rshapo@sanca.us
TOMÁS HERRERA-MISHLER
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
tomas@sanca.us
STEPHEN V. RODRIGUEZ
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
stephen@sanca.us
MICHAEL WASHINGTON
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
michaelw@sanca.us
DOUGLAS E. JESSMER
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
EDITOR, NBP MAGAZINE A SKY SHOW
TO REMEMBER
douglas@sanca.us
NBP Magazine is printed quarterly —
in January, April, July and October NBP FIREWORKS ON THE LAKE DRIVEN BY SUNSET
— by Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center AUTOMOTIVE GROUP IS A SUNCOAST REUNION PAGE 6
Associates Inc. at Nathan Benderson
Park, 5857 Nathan Benderson Circle,
Sarasota FL 34235 USA. Contributions
of news, articles and photographs COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP
are welcome, though there exists
no guarantee of publication. Unless A HOMECOMING FOR THREE
otherwise requested, content becomes
the property of Suncoast Aquatic Nature
LOCAL ROWERS VYING FOR A NATIONAL TITLE ON HOME
Center Associates Inc., a Florida not- WATER REFLECT ON THEIR EXPERIENCE PAGE 8
for-profit entity. Opinions expressed
in NBP Magazine do not necessarily
reflect those of NBP Magazine, Suncoast
Aquatic Nature Center Associates, CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON ROLLS ON
Sarasota County Government or their
representatives. NBP AGAIN WELCOMES STATE COLLEGE, HIGH SCHOOL
CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT ADDS NATIONAL EVENTS PAGE 11
© 2021 Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center
Associates Inc. All rights reserved. DIVERSITY ART EXHIBIT REPRISES
Reproduction in whole or in part without
prior written permission is prohibited. EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES SLATES SECOND SHOW
OF SEASON AT NBP PAGE 13
SEND ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO DEPARTMENTS
NBP MAGAZINE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO 5
NATHAN BENDERSON PARK
5857 NATHAN BENDERSON CIRCLE IN BRIEF 14
SARASOTA FL 34235 USA EPILOGUE 16
COVER PHOTO: What’s a July 3 at NBP without fireworks? This year’s show
SUMMER 2021 was a reminder of how picturesque the sky blast’s reflections are, framed
VOL. 1, NO. 2 by 200 acres of park land. DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA
COMING EVENTS
JULY
15-18 USROWING OLYMPIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
SUMMER CUP REGATTA
24 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
31 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
AUGUST
8 U.S. NATIONAL TEAM DRAGON BOAT TIME TRIALS
14 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
21 SPECIAL OLYMPICS FLORIDA STAND-UP
PADDLEBOARD COMPETITION
28 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
SEPTEMBER
4 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
8 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
18 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
22 NBP REC DAY!, 10 A.M.-2 P.M.
25 CENTERSTONE LIFE;STORY 5K/10K RUN/WALK
OCTOBER
1-3 U.S. DRAGON BOAT FEDERATION
CLUB CREW NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Vance Bauer prepares
for an outrigger canoe
heat at the NBP Race
Day on May 8.
DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA
SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
4 NBP
T
here has been a lot of The photographed faces of
discussion about the need young men going back more than a
for a boathouse at Nathan century grace the walls of the Weld,
Benderson Park. a boathouse steeped in history and
Every time I see the beautiful fleet charm. Large racks hold a range of
of boats on Regatta Island baking boats waiting for student-athletes to
in our relentless Florida sun, I wish return, and massive doors provide
for the benefit of a well-designed direct access to the ramps and docks
TOMÁS boathouse. on the Charles.
HERRERA- I’ve recently had the opportunity A large workshop seems to hold
MISHLER to visit several interesting every replacement part possible
PRESIDENT AND CEO boathouses, and they share some along with a huge array of tools and
important characteristics. equipment — everything needed to
The large boat storage areas allow repair a boat.
Other
for the careful storage and retrieval Charlie Butt, longtime head coach
of boats and the opportunity to at Harvard, pointed out the stains on
efficiently get them in and out of the the floor from when their boatman
boathouses
water. But a good boathouse also would build the team’s boats in situ.
has a workshop dedicated to the Just up the coast on the Tampa
maintenance and adaptation of boats River is the new Riverwalk
to the specific needs of each athlete. Boathouse. This contemporary
may inform The boathouse at Community
Rowing Inc. in Boston has a large and
well-provisioned workshop, allowing
structure is really two buildings in
one.
On the lower level, closest to the
how NBP technicians to create special adaptive
seats and other modifications
for pararowers preparing for
water’s edge, is the boat storage area
with high racks and an office for the
boathouse manager.
models
the Olympics. CRI’s facility also Local teams and clubs each have
houses a classroom for afterschool a secured storage space and there is
homework support for the kids plenty of space for ergs and aquatic
its own
they serve who come from across rental equipment and dragon boats.
Boston’s public schools to learn to The second floor includes meeting
row. Plenty of space is dedicated to rooms, a special-event room with a
rowing machines — the ubiquitous large open balcony overlooking the
ergometers — and a weight room river and downtown Tampa, with an
with efficient locker rooms and adjacent catering kitchen.
showers nearby. The one complaint I heard from
The Weld Boathouse at Harvard every boathouse manager with
also boasts a large erg room and whom I have met? Not enough
locker rooms for the student storage. l
athletes. There’s an office, changing
space for the coaches and a couple of Tomas Herrera-Mishler has been
very old lounge spaces. The wood- the chief executive officer of Suncoast
paneled rooms double as quiet Aquatic Nature Center Associates
homework study halls or a place to since mid-2020. Reach him at
stretch and get ready for a long row tomas@sanca.us.
on the Charles River.
NBP 5
REUNITE 6 NBP
TOP OF THE NEWS
ED
…and it felt so good to gather
again as a community,
after months of separation
A
fter months of being apart, SEE THE TV SPECIAL
not even a heavy afternoon
rain could stop people from https://www.mysuncoast.com/
getting together to celebrate at what video/2021/07/08/
has become an annual tradition on fireworks-lake/
the Suncoast.
NBP Fireworks included on-the-spot interviews of
On The Lake fireworks-goers, exhibitors, runners
Driven By Sunset and musicians who made the event
Automotive Group complete.
was the return “ABC 7, your local station, is excited
of in-person to partner again to showcase this
merriment at the holiday tradition,” station Vice
park July 3. This President and General Manager
year, it looked Jeff Benninghoff said, “to share this
J U LY 3 , 2 0 2 1 more like 2019’s Suncoast Strong reunion with those
event — with food, who can’t make it to the park.”
exhibitors, live Sunset Automotive Group was the
music, a 4-mile presenting sponsor for this year’s
run, family fun fireworks. Sunset’s executive director
and a kids zone. said the auto retailer is happy to
But this year’s fireworks show, support the community, echoing the
called a “hybrid” of the 2019 and 2020 group’s slogan, “Connected Through
shows by park Chief Operating Officer Community.”
Stephen V. Rodriguez, included a “Sunset Automotive Group is
couple of popular features of the honored to be the presenting sponsor
socially distant drive-in 2020 show. of the 2021 NBP fireworks show,”
Reserved parking was a fan favorite, Andrea Jackson said. “We are happy
because it assured people they had a to be able to give back and show our
parking spot where they wanted it. continued support of our surrounding
Tickets, available through the park communities.”
website, were for Regatta Island spots Sunset displayed vehicles at
and spaces in the park’s south end. strategic locations throughout the
The south end parking also included park.
spaces for recreational vehicles. Music was by The Black Honkeys,
The other popular feature is the bringing a mix of Motown, funk and
result of last year’s partnership with rock, and a modern country act from
WWSB-TV, which broadcast the Bradenton, the Derek Lersch Band.
2020 fireworks as the second night The NBP fireworks event is always
of the socially distant celebration. the night before the Independence
This year’s fireworks special Day holiday. l
SANCA PHOTOS
NBP 7
Homecom
For three college rowers,
the NCAAs was a
Alabama’s Rebekah
Stewart of Bradenton
8 NBP
ming
By DOUGLAS E. JESSMER “It was a really good fight,” she
Nathan Benderson Park said, “really good races. Some of the
hardest racing I’ve ever had to do. It
T
hree athletes took different was amazing. A three-way tie has never
paths back home to the happened in NCAA history, so we
Suncoast for a national college definitely made history. It was cool to
championship bid. be a part of. It was a lot of emotion in
Rebekah Stewart had just graduated that moment.”
from the University of Alabama The suspense was created by a
with a master’s degree in sports lightning delay right after the petit
management. Julia Braz and Angela final in the “1V8s” — the first-team
Szabo were Sarasota Crew teammates varsity eight boats — in which
and Riverview High students, and both Stewart’s boat finally competed. That
were freshmen — Braz at Stanford and delay was something Braz said the
Szabo at the University of California at Stanford women didn’t want to let
Berkeley. hang over their teammates.
All three were among the throng of “I knew our 1V boat was ready to go,”
athletes vying for a national title in the she said. “The whole team trained hard
NCAA Rowing Championships May and did the best we could in every race.
28-30. Braz’s team would become the So it was another race, and it happened
national runner-up after a cliffhanger to be for all the marbles. But it was big.”
ending, in which a three-way tie went “It was a lot of pressure for them so
down to the final heat. Szabo’s team all we could do is support them at that
would be ranked ninth and Alabama moment,” she said.
13th in the nation in Division I. Neither of the three were new to
Don’t let that lucky number 13 fool NBP. Stewart first rowed at NBP as
you, though. Stewart not only graduated a sophomore at Alabama, during a
just before the championships, but her Sunshine State Conference regatta.
now-fiancé popped the big question. Szabo and Braz were teammates on
(She said yes!) Sarasota Crew, racing at the park often.
After a season marred by the Braz told her teammates to expect
coronavirus pandemic, Stewart “that it’s hot. You’ve got to be ready
exercised a fifth year of eligibility — for the heat and be ready for the
enough for the master’s degree, but also humidity.”
enough to row for all the marbles on Szabo said many of her teammates
home water. She calls it all “surreal.” had never rowed at the park before,
“It felt like we failed, and then finding being international students.
out we’re going to have another chance, “So they were very excited,” she said,
another opportunity to go, it was one “because the world championships
of the greatest feelings,” Stewart said. were here and everyone knows about
“And then later down the road to find Benderson. They kept asking me how
out that it’s going to be in Sarasota, it’s the boot system works and all like
like putting a cherry atop a huge ice- that.”
cream sundae. Even if we already knew “I was coming home so I knew what
where the location was, it didn’t matter. to expect,” she said. “I was used to
It had been something we’d been everything that was going on. I was
working for, and nothing was going to basically preparing the girls, ‘this
get in the way of us going. The fact it was is what’s going to happen, you’re
MIKE JANES FOR SANCA
in Sarasota made it sweeter, and made definitely going to be dead by this
me want it that much more.” point, it’s going to be hot, you’re going
Braz said it was emotional. to sweat all the time.’”
NBP 9
Cal’s Angela
Szabo of
Sarasota
MIKE JANES FOR SANCA
Once the bow ball bumped into the describing a team culture and the feeling
IMAS system boot and the athletes of it being a family, you get hooked.”
waited to hear “attention,” she had a Another Alabama athlete when
good feeling. Stewart started was from Sarasota, and
“Especially because the people holding before crossing paths, she said she didn’t
our boat were our teammates still on realize rowing was such a big thing. Stanford’s
Sarasota Crew,” she said. “They’re rising “So it’s really funny. You grow up Julia Braz
seniors, so I knew all of them. It was a somewhere all your life and something of Sarasota
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
very good feeling. I was more calm than new comes and you have no idea, but it’s
I’d normally be because of familiar faces been right under your nose.”
and all that. So I just realized ‘oh, this is Braz and Szabo started rowing in
another race,’ but then again, no, it’s not.” middle school and grew to love the sport.
Call it a homecoming, though the focus In a time shaped by the pandemic, both
of the trip was to haul down a title. said things were a bit off-kilter.
“Benderson is obviously an amazing “The whole COVID year was crazy She said “it was definitely very
rowing facility,” Braz said, “so growing because I didn’t get to actually come to challenging, because I had to maintain
up in Sarasota, I expected a lot of my campus until late January, so I missed my fitness while all the girls were
races to be at Benderson. I don’t know if all of fall, which is usually when you get practicing for hours, and I’d be on the
it made me more motivated, but it might to know your team and your coaches, bike on land watching them. It was a very
have made me more excited to go back and I missed most of my freshman year hard thing to do, but I knew that I had
home. I’m motivated by my team to do experience,” Braz said. “That was kind of to keep going because there was a bigger
well always. It’s not the location that crazy, but a lot of good things came out of goal at the end, and that I would be back.”
makes me want to work hard, but it made that experience for me.” She found herself back in the boat, two
me excited to go home and race in front She got to live with her team, rather weeks before the championships.
of my friends and my family.” than sharing a dorm room with someone Both the rising sophomores plan to
Stewart echoed the sentiment: “It’s from the “general population of students.” be back at NBP next year for the NCAA
one of mine and a lot of my teammates’ “I lived with my team, which made us championship regatta.
favorite courses because of how it’s set very close and I think that benefitted “We did extremely well this year,” Braz
up, the entire course.” us very well. And we just trained hard,” said, “and we want to come back and win
“I think the fact that you can see she said. “That really brought us close it. We want to train hard and come back
the whole course, and then it’s just so together, and although I didn’t have to Sarasota and do even better.”
smooth, like the flow of it, the warmup the normal freshman experience that I Szabo is just as motivated. “I know that
area to the race course, to where you get thought I would, I had an amazing time everyone is working super hard right
off, each part of the course is set up so training with my team. We ended up now, and we’re definitely going to be on
smoothly,” Stewart said. “I know I also doing very well at NCAAs.” the podium again,” she said.
really like how the coaches on the other For Szabo, the pandemic fired up the For Stewart, it’s time for a breather. “It’s
side of the course can ride along with you Cal crew. a sport that I’ve been doing for the past
the whole way. That’s a really big feature, “We actually didn’t do as well as five years. I’ve completely fallen in love
which I think is really cool. It’s definitely we wanted to, because of COVID, so with everything about it. And being out of
a fan favorite among the rowers.” everyone on our team is super fired college now and everything happening so
While neither of the three athletes up and ready to go,” she said. “We are fast, I’m just taking a step back and kind
were new to the course, one wasn’t normally like top-three, always racing for of letting life take its course, trying to see
immersed in rowing until college. Stewart the gold, but this year, we were a little bit what my next step is.”
walked on at Alabama, after a prep career slower than we wanted to be.” “It’s hard to put into words, honestly,”
cheerleading at Manatee High School. Both Szabo and Braz were No. 7 seats she said. “You blink and you made it, and
“I knew with cheer, I loved being part in their crews’ 2V8 boats — the second- then you blink again, and you’re like ‘oh my
of a team and a family, and I knew with team varsity eights. gosh, it’s already over.’ It happened so fast,
rowing, that was going to bring me the “I was in the 1V8,” Szabo said, “but and we were just trying to soak up every
same feeling,” Stewart said. “You don’t I broke my rib in the middle of April, moment of it. I know for me, that’s what
see that on a brochure or a pamphlet or which is probably the worst time to have I was trying to do. I feel it’s very surreal.
anything like that, but when someone’s any injury.” That’s how I would describe it.” l
10 NBPChampionship chase brings
best in state, nation to NBP
The season of championships was the youth crown, and Plant High School
a little bigger this year, and a lot more in Tampa took the scholastic title.
anticipated because of the coronavirus The sweep regatta produced another
pandemic. Sarasota Crew sweep for the youth
Add to it the final year of a three- title. Winter Park High School took
year run with the USRowing Youth the overall scholastic title, while Belen
National Championships and the first Jesuit High School in Miami took the
of two consecutive NCAA Rowing boys’ scholastic title and Pine Crest
Championships, and you have a spring School took the girls’ title.
to remember. The Sunshine State Conference
“We are honored to have been regatta was a brief Friday-morning
able to host so many important jaunt on April 23. Two of its teams
competitions this spring,” said SANCA — Florida Tech and Embry-Riddle
at NBP President and CEO Tomás — would go on to the NCAA Rowing
Herrera-Mishler. “We love to see these Championships at the end of May.
committed athletes doing their very The NCAA championship May 28-
best and are so pleased to be part of 30 came down to a three-way tie for
their championship journeys.” the title going into the last race, the
The Florida Intercollegiate Rowing first-team varsity eights final. Texas
Assn. regatta April 2-3 included several won, Stanford took the silver and
out-of-state crews, including Kansas, Washington bronze. Central Oklahoma
Kansas State and Clemson. Stetson won Division II and Bates College of
was the points winner. Lewiston, Maine, took Division III.
Two weekend regattas determined This year’s USRowing Youth
the champions of the Florida National Regatta June 10-13 was
Doubles boats await their call Scholastic Rowing Assn., in sculling on an amalgamation of three youth
to the starting platform the April 9-10 and sweep April 23-25. events, including the Youth National
morning of April 10 at the Florida The sculling championships ended Championships. More than 2,800
Scholastic Rowing Assn. sculling after time trials on April 10, due to athletes competed, accompanied by
championships. weather. Sarasota Crew swept to take coaches and families. l
DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA
NBP 11J U LY 3 , 2 0 2 1
Thanks to our sponsors
SINCE 1977
AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING, INC.
TV SPONSOR
12 NBPDiversity exhibit
reprises at NBP
An international exhibit designed
to proclaim inclusion, respect and
kindness reprised its waterfront
Sarasota show with a showing at NBP.
The annual, juried art exhibit,
Embracing Our Differences, consisted
of 50 billboard-sized works of art,
each accompanied by an inspirational
quote. The international exhibit uses
the power of art and prose to promote
diversity and inclusion.
The exhibit was intended to be on
display at the park May 20-Aug. 8, but
was taken down as a precaution for
Hurricane Elsa.
The exhibit brought 15,912 entries
PHOTOS BY CLIFF ROLES FOR EMBRACING OUR DIFFERENCES from 128 nations, and from 48 U.S.
states. The winning quotes and art
are showcased in Sarasota’s Bayfront
Park every year, from January through
March. Thanks to the generosity
of the Charles & Margery Barancik
Foundation, the public had a second
opportunity to see this exhibit.
“The messages expressed by the
art are moving, springing from the
artists’ experiences, joys and sorrows,
coming from many nations, ages, and
backgrounds,” SANCA President and
ABOVE: As part of CEO Tomás Herrera-Mishler said.
the opening reception Sarah Wertheimer, Embracing Our
June 3 for Embracing Differences’s executive director, says
Our Differences, she and the art selection committee
docents took visitors were inspired by the substantial
on a guided tour of number of works received this year.
the exhibit. RIGHT: “Embracing Our Differences exists
Embracing Our to proclaim the values of inclusion,
Differences President kindness and respect, and we were
Sarah Wertheimer, moved to see that thousands of people
right, stands with around the world share these values,”
SANCA at NBP Wertheimer said. “We need to honor
President and CEO the things that make us different
Tomás Herrera- and celebrate the things we have in
Mishler. common.” l
NBP 13IN BRIEF Strings Con Brio brings guitar duo The Strings Con Brio orchestra made its debut appearance at NBP on May 2, featuring a classical guitar duo. An afternoon of crowd-pleasing light classical and popular selections included the featured soloists, guitarists Joseph Shields and Dr. Zachary Johnson. The duo performed Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Guitars and Orchestra.” Among other selections, the orchestra played Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” Andrew Lloyd Webber’s haunting “Music of the Night” from “Phantom of the Opera,” Henry Mancini’s PHOTOS BY DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA Latin-inspired “Lujon,” and the ABOVE: Guitarists Joseph Shields and Dr. Zachary Johnson performs a much-loved “Intermezzo” from Vivaldi concerto May 2 in Strings Con Brio’s debut at NBP. BELOW: Three “Cavalleria Rusticana.” ensembles of the Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota perform The program concluded with a May 15 under the shade of the Benderson Family Finish Tower. fun-filled medley from Walt Disney Studios’ classic love story, “Beauty and the Beast” — dedicated to one of NBP Chief Operating Officer Stephen V. Rodriguez’s daughters. Pops Orchestra gives NBP ‘High Five’ The Pops Orchestra of Bradenton and Sarasota performed May 15 in a High Five Pop-Up Concert Series appearance. Conductor Robyn Bell led a 60-minute show full of laughs, stories, and light classical, Broadway, film, and other popular music performed by the chamber music groups — woodwinds, brass and strings — seated in three arcs on the Benderson Family Finish Tower’s ground floor. 14 NBP
SARAH KUPIEC/SANCA
ABOVE: Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota sang songs of gay and gay-friendly composers May 16. BELOW: As
part of the cultural exchange and understanding of ‘All Together Limitless’ June 5, youths tried out paracycles.
Diversity brings music ‘All Together’ event
of LGBT composers celebrates heroes
An afternoon of friendship and A scavenger hunt and team-building
song was on tap May 16 as Diversity: exercise June 5 supported a cultural
The Voices of Sarasota performed exchange and social inclusion camp.
“Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota The Gulf Coast Latin Chamber of
and Nathan Benderson Park Present: Commerce organized “All Together
Perfect Together!” Limitless” and included police,
In the free performance, the chorus military personnel and civilians
celebrated gay and gay-friendly affected by improvised explosives in
composers. Colombia — who were invited to the
Diversity’s mission is that through camp to enter the initial stages of
songs of hope and inclusion, the LGBT their Survivor Assistance Program.
DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA
chorus celebrates all of humanity and The program is “an adventure
inspires our community to embrace of cultural immersion and a life-
equality. changing opportunity,” the chamber
The chorus sent a special thank says. At NBP, the campers and
you to the concert sponsor, Bruce others participated in team-building
Ensinger. exercises.
NBP 15Boo for good luck Teddy bear becomes a fixture at youth regattas this spring 16 NBP
EPILOGUE
“Boo” was at both Florida
Scholastic Rowing Assn. regattas
in April and at the USRowing
Youth National Regatta in May,
sitting near the finish line as a
good-luck charm — complete
with face mask.
DOUGLAS E. JESSMER/SANCA
NBP 17By DOUGLAS E. JESSMER
Nathan Benderson Park
H
e’s one teddy bear that really
gets around. He’s even a jet-
setter.
Sure, superstition is all over sports,
rowing included. But the bear named
“Boo” is also one proud grandpa’s way
of supporting a rower who used to call
Sarasota home.
George Sanchez of Orlando carries
the gray bear, about 18 inches tall and
clad in a special Miami Rowing Club
shirt, to every regatta in which his
grandson competes.
Christian Burns started his rowing
career with Sarasota Scullers, but
moved to the Miami area.
“Mr. Boo was brought to one of
his first races, and he won,” George
said. “So I brought him again to
his second race, where (Christian)
was competing here in Sarasota,
and he won again. So then we just
put one plus one, and thought ‘let’s
start bringing Boo,’ and he has done
incredibly well with Boo.”
George says Christian asks before
races: “Don’t forget Boo.”
“So Boo comes to every race that he
competes, and he’s doing good,” George
said. “So this is his lucky charm.”
Christian was 16 during the state
high school championships in April,
and stands 6-foot-4. “So they put
him with the seniors,” George said.
“Because of his height, they can’t wait
to get him as a senior. He’s still got two
more years.”
Boo has his stories. One involved a
crush.
“We were at a competition, and Boo
of course was there. He was sitting on
a table,” George said. “And one of the
mothers came up to me and asked,
‘what’s that with that little bear?’ I
explained to her the same thing, that’s
Christian’s lucky charm.”
“She asked, ‘Christian who?’ PHOTOS COURTESY GEORGE SANCHEZ
‘Christian Burns,’” he said. Christian Burns holds “Boo,” his grandfather’s good-luck charm, in April.
18 NBP“Mr. Boo was
brought to one
of his first races,
and he won.
So I brought
him again to his
second race
(in Sarasota), ABOVE: “Boo” flies into Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport
and he won
in December. TOP: “Boo” relaxes at home.
“And the mother goes ‘ooooo… Later, after George caught up with
again. So then there’s a group of four or five girls, you
know, talking girl stuff, and I’m not
his grandson, he said, “I told Christian
about it after the race, and he said ‘oh,
we just put going to say who, but I’m gonna give
a little hint. That one over there has a
yes, I know her. We were on the same
team in Sarasota.’”
one plus one, crush on Christian.’”
“‘Oh, really?’ ‘Yes.’ I go ‘that’s good
Boo’s at the finish line at every race.
He’s even in a picture with a gold-
and thought to know.’ So I grabbed Boo and I went
up to the young lady, and I said ‘will
medal winning crew. “He’s a famous
bear,” George said.
‘let’s start you do me a favor?’ and she said ‘yeah,
yeah.’ ‘Could you hold Boo?’ And she
“When he’s in Miami, he goes to
Miami.” In college? “You’re going to
bringing Boo.’” goes ‘yeah.’ And I said, ‘that’s Christian
Burns’ lucky bear.’ And all the other
have to take your Boo,” George said,
“and every time you go, take your Boo.”
GEORGE SANCHEZ girls started cracking up, she got red, “And if he goes to the Olympics, he
and she’s hanging onto Boo. And I may be on the TV,” George added.
said ‘don’t drop him, because that’s “When they play the National Anthem,
Christian’s.’” he should be there.” l
NBP 19PROGRAMS
EQUIPMENT RENTALS AT GREAT DAILY RATES DRAGON BOAT AND PADDLING TEAMS
• Single and double sit-on-top kayaks NBP offers dragon boat and paddling opportunities
• Stand-up paddleboards (SUP) for the community — for community wellness
• Single scull rentals through recreation
and competition.
ROWING LESSONS AND TEAM
Learn to Row is an introduction to sculling, and NBP REC DAYS!
a gateway to NBP Masters Rowing. Learn the Family fun for all! Get a taste of NBP’s recreational
fundamentals of singles and doubles rowing, and get water offerings — kayaks, canoes, paddleboards
the tools to transition to sweep rowing. and more. Offered on alternate Saturdays. See
nathanbendersonpark/recdays
TEAM BUILDING
Through tailored activities, we get your team OTHER PROGRAMS
members out of their comfort zones to experience Camp Gladiator Sarasota
meeting needs through team effort and “out of the Brats Club SRQ Early Childhood Education
box” training. Flex Fitness • Zumba • Yoga In The Park
LEARN MORE TODAY: See nathanbendersonpark.org or email programs@sanca.us
Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc. (SANCA), is a not-for-profit 501c3 business created to manage Nathan Benderson Park
(NBP), a community/public asset and world-class, multi-use sports venue. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for our community
and be an economic generator for our region. SANCA’s primary purpose is to develop and promote NBP as a world class event center,
team training site and Sarasota County park, while providing outreach programs through recreation, safety training, education and
volunteering as a service to our community.
2021 U.S. Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew National Championships
2022 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships
2019-2021 USRowing Youth National Championships
2019-2021 Florida Scholastic Rowing Assn. State Championships
2022, 2024 USRowing Southeast Regional Championships
2019 Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Assn. Championships
2018 2019 HITS Triathlon Series
2021 2019 Sarasota-Bradenton ITU Triathlon
2022
COUNTY
SUNCOAST AQUATIC NATURE CENTER ASSOCIATES INC.
AT NATHAN BENDERSON PARK
5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota FL 34235
nathanbendersonpark.org NathanBendersonPark @myNBP #myNBP
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