Pledge Your Commitment

As a part of United We Row, I understand that embracing a more inclusive sport takes more than simply recruiting people from diverse backgrounds; it entails a simple but ongoing willingness to do the work. It's not hard, but it takes an intention. By signing this pledge, I commit to taking action in my own boathouse.

I commit to 3 of the following actions over the next year.

As an Athlete: 

• When someone new walks into my boathouse, I will introduce myself and welcome them.  
• I will encourage and support all my teammates. 
• I will get to know my teammates on a personal level and beyond their “seat in the boat.”  
• I will be an active ally to people from underrepresented communities. 

As a Coach:  

• I will welcome every rower to practice using the name they want to be called.  
• I will do my part to help my team reflect the full diversity of my community.  
• I will learn about adaptive rowing and how I can work with all athletes regardless of their abilities. 
• I will connect with new coaches I see and offer support to them.  
• I will be an active ally to people from underrepresented communities.  

As a Referee: 

• I will make sure athletes at races feel welcome by using positive words of encouragement. 
• I will work to expand the Referee Corps by recruiting people to represent the diversity of our sport more fully.  
• I will work to be an approachable leader for athletes and coaches in the sport. 

As a Rowing Administrator:  

• I will be sure there are visual signs of my boathouse being welcoming (e.g., posters in languages in addition to English, hanging a Pride flag, etc.).  
• I will work to ensure my staff, board, and rowing team reflect the diversity of our full community.  
• I will provide scholarships to athletes with financial need.  
• I will educate myself on the barriers that make rowing difficult for some people to join and stay in the sport.  

As a Parent of an Athlete:

• I will expand my parent peer group by intentionally including people who I may not typically connect with.  
• I will model kindness to all athletes, parents, and coaches. 
• I will do my best to encourage my athlete to support and build relationships with all teammates. 
• I will be an active ally to people from underrepresented communities.
• I will support and celebrate other parents’ children and my own. 

As a Rowing Business:

• We will continue to expand and improve our use of images and videos of diverse rowers to signal rowing has a place for everyone. 
• We will promote inclusive and transparent business practices.
• We will work to expand access and awareness of the ability to row as an individual and within an organization. 
• We will align our brand and organization with the concept that in rowing, there is "A Seat in the Boat for Everyone" via our values, practices, and communications to the rowing community. 
• We commit to treating all customers with respect and fairness.