General Information
General Information 2024
What is Dharma Voyage?
Dharma Voyage is a non-profit organization located in Westport Massachusetts founded in 2009 by
internationally trained martial arts instructor and international coastal rowing competitor, Ben Booth.
We offer adult community rowing, skills sessions, and race training programs on the East Branch of the
Westport River and youth coastal rowing. What sets our programs apart from others is a training system
that increases the participants’ skills in attention, creativity, and insight while building strength and endurance.
What is the Organizational Structure?
Board of Directors:
Reed Austin & Cindi Zembo, Co-Presidents
Sue Benfeito & Alicia Green, Co-Treasurers
Nancy Weinstein, Secretary
Sue Daylor
Wendy Henderson
Staff:
Ben Booth, Founder and Instructor
Desiree Brunton, Manager (info@dharmavoyage.org)
Our Volunteers:
Dharma Voyage functions smoothly with the large number of dedicated volunteers who devote countless
hours, energy, and passion to ensure its success. Find a committee where you might enjoy contributing
your effort. Learn a new skill (boat maintenance or coxing), make new friends, and help us build this
invaluable resource for our community.
Some of the current committees in which Dharma Voyage relies on the hard work and dedication of volunteers are are:
Community Rowing, Youth Programming Outreach, Fundraising, Grant writing
How do we communicate?
1.) Web Page: www.dharmavoyage.org
For new rowers, write to Barbara at newrowers@dharmavoyage.org
For general community rowing, write to Maureen at rowing@dharmavoyage.org
2.) Sign-Up Genius (web-based scheduling system)
Rowing Sign-Up
We schedule all our rows using a web-based scheduling system called “Sign-Up Genius”. We ask
that you don’t sign up for more than two rows in a given week (2/week). If a particular row is not
filled twenty-four (24) hours prior to the scheduled row, then anyone can sign up for that row.
Please sign-up no later than 6PM on the night prior to the scheduled row, as the coxswains need
to plan the boats to be used. If the event is cancelled due to weather conditions, you will be
notified by e-mail by our scheduler.
Instructions for signing up with the “Sign-Up Genius” software program will be emailed to you
upon membership.
Rowing Logistics & Parking
We row from Hix Bridge Landing, located on Hix Bridge Road, in Westport, on the east branch of
the Westport River. Westport Town residents can obtain a parking permit ($30) from the
Selectman’s office at Westport Town Hall. You will not need to obtain a parking permit until you
decide to become a member. Dharma Voyage has some visitor parking permits for non-residents
and new rowers. When you park at the Landing parking lot, please park to the rear of the lot,
leaving room for boaters and fishermen to park their trailers. The parking at the Landing can
sometimes be limited so please park close to the next car to maximize the number of parking
spaces.
Our Coxswains
Dharma Voyage has trained coxswains who are invaluable to the process of rowing. They not only
steer the boats, but they arrive early to bring the boats to the docks for each assigned row. For
purposes of planning which boats to use, we request that you sign up for the row, or cancel the
row if you’re unable to make it, by 6:00 PM the night before. Also, several people are always
needed on the docks to catch and secure lines, or unhitch the lines. So, coming about 15 minutes
early for the assigned row helps to run things smoothly.
Safety
Our first priority is to make every rowing experience a safe one. Each boat is equipped with PFD’s,
and all rowers are encouraged to wear them. Rowers should dress for the weather conditions
expected. We recommend dressing in layers, because after about five minutes of rowing your
body temperature will increase. Bring some fluids to drink if you wish. All rowers are required to fill out
emergency contact information upon registration which is available on the boats in the case of an emergency.
Weather
We try our best to schedule rows on beautiful, blue-sky days. Sometimes that doesn’t work out. If
a scheduled row is canceled, you will be notified by e-mail to the address you provide when
signing up for the row. We typically row in light drizzle conditions.
Open Recreational Rows
Open Rows are scheduled at various times and days of the week. Most are in the early morning.
The rows last about ninety minutes, beginning and ending at Hix Bridge Landing. If you are unable
to commit to this time period, please do not sign up for the row.
Endurance Rows
Endurance rows are noted this way in Signup Genius. These rows also last 90
minutes and are meant to challenge rowers with a more intense, rigorous rowing experience. In
general, there is less socializing during these rows.
Special Rows
These are usually scheduled several times a season.
Row from Hix Bridge to the Head of Westport and back, scheduled when it is high tide at the Head.
Includes a stop at the “Head Store”, the official coffee and donut shop of Dharma Voyage.
Row from Hix Bridge to Westport Harbor and back when the tide is in our favor.
July 4th Row, and several Moonlight Rows, and added recently for the hearty rower, a Row to the Let (approximately 11 miles round trip)
Race Training/Fitness Program
This program is open to any rowing member who wishes to learn more about rowing, gain fitness,and be part of a team.
You do not need to be fit or have a lot of rowing experience. As this is primarily a recreational team, the goals will be inclusion,
fun, camaraderie, and education.
Ben Booth coaches the racing practice rows. In every session, all participants will be taught how to
refine their technique, come together as a crew, and discover the safe and fun challenges of
gaining the skill and strength to make the boat go! It is understood that there will be a wide range
of interest, from those who want to race seriously, to those who do not want to race at all and
simply want to learn more about rowing and fitness on the water. There is a separate charge for
this twelve-week program.
Races our teams participate in include: Onset, Come Boating Race, Belfast ME, Gloucester Harbor Race
and The Head of the Weir Race. There are additional entrance fees for these races.
Skills Training with Ben
To further your rowing artistry, Ben Booth offers individual and team instruction. Sessions will be
tailored to the needs of the crew, focused on personal needs and goals. These will be divided into
fundamental and advanced sessions, with fundamentals geared toward new rowers and any rower
wanting to delve into the fundamentals and advanced geared toward more nuanced skill & team
building (for racing or the sheer artistry of a well-executed stroke). Cost: $27/person. Please note:
You must first have secured a seat for a specific session through Signup Genius. Following that you
may pay online or by check to Dharma Voyage, PO Box N-104, Westport, MA 02790
Due to high demand and limited training opportunities please sign up for no more than 3 training
sessions per season. If 48 hours before a scheduled training session a seat is still available, you
may sign up and pay for an additional session. If you have to miss a session you have signed up for
you forfeit the payment, however you may find a Community Rowing member replacement. If a
training row is canceled due to weather or other reason you will receive an email at least 45
minutes before the scheduled row and the row will be rescheduled later in the season.
Additionally, Ben now offers free training to members who wish to explore the skills of coxswain,
i.e., steering the boats.
Our Fleet
Dharma Voyage has the following boats:
“Voyager” is a thirty-two-foot Pilot Gig with six rowing positions, plus a coxswain.
“Spirit of Westport” also a thirty-two-foot Pilot Gig similar to “Voyager”. This boat was built in 2016 by 8th Grade students
in the Westport School System, as part of Dharma Voyage’s Educational Program.
“Mariner’s Endeavor” is a twenty-five-foot rowing dory with four rowing positions and a coxswain.
This boat was built in 2016 by high school students in the Westport School System as part of
Dharma Voyage’s Educational Program.
“Fiona,” a second, twenty-five-foot rowing dory, was also built by junior/senior high school
students, and is in use by the rowing program.
**A national class, coastal rowing quad with sliding seats. At this time, the use of the new quad is
limited, however, Dharma Voyage is currently creating avenues for a bigger part in the
rowing/racing program.
Volunteerism
Dharma Voyage is a community organization. The success of our programs is based on the
willingness of its members to step up and help out. The more time we give, the more
opportunities will become available for rowing and racing. Volunteering will engender new
friendships and perhaps develop new skills. Many committees in the organization will be seeking
help throughout the season and we ask that you help out. Two of our committees, as noted
below, are the ones most in need of volunteers.
Boat Maintenance
The boats require routine maintenance at various times of the year. This could include moving boats, sanding,
painting, varnishing, carpentry and general cleaning. Email announcements will be sent out as the
need arises. We ask that all help with this facet of the program.
Fundraising Activities
Dharma Voyage has a real sense of community, and in addition to having a robust adult rowing
program, we also sponsor no-cost youth educational programs that require funding. Although it is
not a requirement for our members, we encourage support, in any way you can, of fundraising
events we sponsor.
“You only miss 100% of the chances you don’t take” Wayne Gretzky. One year gives you 365 chances to
embolden the impact of Dharma Voyage. Bring your ideas, skills, and energy front and center – this is YOUR organization.