About Dharma Voyage
Our Mission
Our mission is to strengthen community and inspire lifelong engagement with the Westport River through rowing, education, and partnership, promoting health, growth, and respect for the natural world.
Our Values
Learning
Through rowing, we develop discipline, teamwork, and resilience — gaining skills that extend beyond the water and enrich our lives.
Stewardship
We honor the Westport River by caring for its waters and surrounding environment, ensuring it remains a shared resource for generations to come.
Community
We value rowing for all, bringing people together to learn, row, and share the camaraderie and fulfillment that come from being part of a vibrant river community.
Tradition
Rooted in the heritage of rowing, we celebrate the sport’s history while passing on its lessons and values through teaching and mentorship.
Excellence
We strive for excellence both on and off the water — fostering safety, skill, and continuous improvement in every aspect of our programs.
Fun
The Westport River is our playground — a place where we celebrate the joy, spirit, and thrill of rowing together.
Our Teams
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![A team of people rowing a long wooden boat on a body of water.]()
Adult Community Rowing
Guides and nurtures the core community rowing program—welcoming newcomers, offering gentle, high-quality coaching, and organizing casual to adventurous rows.
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![Wooden boat under construction in a workshop with tools, workbenches, and photographs on the walls.]()
Boat Building
Oversees the hands-on boatbuilding program where volunteers mentor youth and community members in crafting seaworthy wooden boats from the keel up.
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![Several boats docked on a grassy area near a lake with houses and fall foliage in the background.]()
Race Training
Manages and coaches the Race Training Program, which welcomes adult rowers of all fitness levels—focusing on inclusion, technique, camaraderie, and opportunities to compete regionally
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![A rowing boat with six people on calm water, one person at the front wearing a red jacket and a white hat, holding an American flag, during daytime with a background of houses and trees across the water.]()
Westport River Regatta
Coordinates every step of the annual Regatta—from logistics, registration, sponsorships, swag, food, venue planning, to timing, music, prizes, and post-event follow-up.
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![Group of people in a woodworking workshop assembling a piece of furniture, all wearing hearing protection and focused on their tasks.]()
Youth Rowing Program
In partnership with Westport Recreation, this summer program for students entering grades 6–11 teaches rowing, navigation, water safety, coxing, and teamwork—building confidence, leadership, and lasting community ties.
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![American flag flying on a boat on a body of water with distant shoreline and sky.]()
Special Events
Plans and runs unique seasonal rows like the July 4th Row, Moonlight Rows, “Head of Westport” or “Row to the Let”, adding memorable experiences to the rowing season.
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![A person wearing a neon green safety vest with the words 'Here to Help' on the back, holding an American flag, and wearing a white cap with mesh panels and sunglasses, standing outdoors on a sunny day.]()
Fundraising
Drives fundraising efforts to support no-cost youth educational programs, building community support and financial sustainability.
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![A healthcare professional wearing a white coat with a stethoscope holding a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon.]()
Special Rows
Organizes excursion-style rows—like ROW (Recovery on the Water), a supportive rowing program for individuals whose lives have been touched by cancer—combining adventure, community, and tradition.
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![Disorganized scattered paper calendar date cards with numbers, days, and months on a wooden surface.]()
Scheduling
Oversees all row scheduling using Sign-Up Genius, maintaining fair and efficient access to rows and coordinating coxswain and boat assignments.
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![Multiple rowing shells with oars attached are lined up on a dock next to a body of water.]()
Coxswains
Trains and manages coxswains who steer the boats, arrive early to prepare docks and boats, and support about 15 rows per week during our active 6-month season.
Support our Mission and Values
We are a 100+ member, all-volunteer organization united by a shared love for rowing, community, and the transformative power of being on the water. Every program, event, and initiative is run by dedicated volunteers — including every board member, program coordinator, and coxswain.
What Our Rowers Say
Seriously! But don’t take our word for it, here are some things people have to say about us.
“Dharma Voyage is how I started my own voyage into the sport of rowing. Without being introduced to rowing, I would be missing out on the teamwork, lifelong friendships, and amazing opportunities that make me who I am today.”
He went on to reflect on how the Dharma Voyage medal symbolizes his personal development: “I strengthened skills in communication, patience, and perseverance, and I’ve built lasting friendships.”
— Aaron Sousa, a long-time youth rowing member
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Dharma Voyage Adult Community Rowing is a very important part of my life. I get a great deal of satisfaction steering a boat. When all the rowers are in sync making the boat move smoothly and speedily through the water, I feel as if I accomplished something very special.”
Reflecting on her journey from novice to confident coxswain: “During the past six years, I have gone from being a total beginner to a racer, and now as a coxswain.
— Wendy Goldberg, Race Training Coordinator
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I never rowed before, but it sounded perfect for me & I joined up. It was the best step I have ever taken.”
She continues: “The combination of exercise, teamwork, fresh air, blue skies & water... and of course, the number of new friends I made...
— Joanne DeMarco, member