At the Saugatuck Rowing & Fitness Club early Tuesday, the eight-woman crew gets their boat in the water. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Kathleen Davis of Wilton prepares her oars before taking a boat out Tuesday morning. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Carolyn Gill of Fairfield, left, and Ellen Knapp of Westport cast off. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Carolyn Gill of Fairfield, left, and Ellen Knapp of Westport cast off from the Saugatuck Rowing & Fitness Club. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Rowers in the bay off the Saugatuck River in the early morning. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Rowing in the early morning sun near Compo Beach. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Scott Armstrong, club general manager and rowing coach, watches rowers passing near Saugatuck Shores. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
The eight-woman team hard at work. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Leading their respective boats are coxswains Madeline Casano of Fairfield, bottom right, and Katie DeRose of Trumbull, top right, who will be rowing for Cornell University next year. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Heading under the I-95 bridge on the Saugatuck River Tuesday morning. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Racing with the train, the crew speeds under the railroad bridge. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Rowers head into the mouth of the Saugatuck River, south of the train station. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Rowing near Cockenoe Island. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Rowers start off on the Saugatuck River in the early morning. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Scott Armstrong, club general manager and coach, keeps tabs on the rowers. / Photo by Jarret Liotta

By Jarret Liotta

WESTPORT — The Saugatuck Rowing & Fitness Club has brought the “ultimate team sport” to people from the area for more than 30 years.

Scott Armstrong, general manager and rowing coach, describes it as much more of a team sport than those played on a field, given that the progress and power of a team in the water is directly felt by each participant.

“That truly links you together,” he said, watching some of his rowers in action this week during an early-morning jaunt out of the Saugatuck River and around the harbor just north of Saugatuck Shores.

Around 130 adults enjoy the fitness and fun of the sport through the club — situated on west side of the river just north of Bridge Street — along with about 230 juniors, ranging in age from 11 to 18.

Rowers take part in training, recreational learning and even competitions in singles, pairs, quartets and eight-member teams through the club.

“You can do it by yourself,” Armstrong said. “You can do it in a group. You can do it just for a leisurely outing on the river on a beautiful sunny day, or you can push it to the max.”

For more information visit the club’s website.

Early-morning workout. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
Tired rowers take a water break north of Saugatuck Shores. / Photo by Jarret Liotta
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