Saratoga Rowing Association History Saratoga Rowing Association was founded as a club team by Christopher Chase and a small group of very committed students on October 19, 1996. Mr. Chase had a vision to coach a successful, but all-inclusive team. the team instantly became one of the largest, fastest growing teams in New York State; in less than ten years the program has grown dramatically. The current program supports 160 students year round with indoor winter training, and spring, summer and fall sessions on the water. The club started with two boats, and has steadily acquired pieces of equipment through any means possible, generally buying used boats from teams that were upgrading. The team has grown to national prominence using only minimal equipment. Since its start, SRA has developed a national reputation as a highly competitive team on the water while recognized at home as a unique organization promoting personal growth and team development. Currently SRA supports a team of young people from a number of surrounding schools, including Saratoga High and all other schools without the opportunity to row in their school districts, such as Schuylerville, Ballston Spa, Stillwater, Queensbury, Spa Catholic, and the Spring Hill Waldorf School. The SRA has touched the lives of almost 600 young men and women since its inception in 1996. Now, every one in fifteen students at Saratoga High is a rower, and over one third of the top ten graduating seniors have been rowers. Currently, over fifty graduates have gone on to row at the collegiate level. Over forty SRA alumni compete at Division 1 schools. They have received over fifteen scholarships to colleges such as Norhteastern, Syracuse, Ohio State, Duke, Miami, and Clemson. Saratoga has been fortunate to create a great coaching atmosphere, which has led both athletes and coaches earning opportunities at some of the Nation's best college programs. The list of achievements continues to grow each year. As of 2005, the Saratoga Rowing Association holds one North American Championship, four National Championships, and thirty six State Championships. Since its start, the Saratoga Rowing Association has come to host a few significant regattas including the New York State Championship, and the Head and Tail of the Fish regattas, and the Nationals in 2006. Founded with the purpose of providing education, training and participation in the sport of rowing, SRA has developed many programs that offer great opportunites to the entire community. Currently SRA programs include Scholastic and Community rowing which are held over the course of three seasons, a Learn to Row program for potential rowers, and a Masters Rowing program which allows adults to participate in the sport. SRA plans to add other programs in the future such as Adaptive Rowing, an At-Risk Program, and Development Camps.