As the sun begins to set over Moss Park and Lake Mary Jane in the Lake Nona community, the South Orlando Rowing Association (SORA) rowers glide through the water. Students from area middle and high schools row with only the sounds of the oars slicing the water and the birds in the massive oaks that fill Moss Park (okay, and maybe the coaches yelling directions from nearby jon boats).

These kids, who work out together five days a week, form a bond and become like family. They know the rigors of this sport and are all dedicated to staying healthy and fit and doing their best every time they get in their racing shells. According to Morgan Rodriguez, 17, varsity SORA rower and junior at Rogue Scholars Academy, “Rowing is like no other sport; it takes all of your mind, body and soul. I love that it challenges me to reach deep both physically and mentally. When a race is over and you can’t feel your body and all you can focus on is breathing, there is nothing that replaces the pure pleasure felt from the synchronicity and power between you and your boat mates. It’s a high that keeps you coming back for more.” SORA rowers have participated in local, regional and national regattas and won many medals. Last year, SORA had a boy’s youth double qualify for nationals after winning the state championship and placing top three at the Southeast Regionals in Georgia.

SORA began modestly in 1986 when a group of high school students wanted to learn the Olympic sport of rowing. The organization has grown over the years and in 2011 the club found a permanent location in Moss Park. At the time, there was no dock, boat yard, electricity or running water in the new location. In just five years, SORA, with the support of Orange County Parks and Moss Park, has installed a floating dock, built a basic boat yard, and is installing lighting for evening practices.

SORA rowing is not just for teens. SORA also has a Masters team (adult rowers) as well as an adaptive rowing team allowing the disabled to row. There is no requirement for the kids or the adults to have any previous experience to join SORA, just a desire to learn to row. The Masters rowers come from all walks of life; some rowed when they were younger, some have children who row for SORA, and others just want learn to row and get in shape. Masters compete in races at the same regattas in which the students compete.

SORA’s commitment to adaptive rowing has opened opportunities for rowers with a wide range of disabilities. The program began in 2008 when SORA began a partnership with the American Council for the Blind in developing a program to introduce rowing to individuals with visual impairments. In 2011, SORA Adaptive embarked on its high performance Adaptive Training Program. Working in partnership with USRowing, Walter Reed Hospital, Athletes Without Limits, and other programs nationwide, SORA began recruiting top athletes to begin training in Orlando with a goal of competing at the 2012 London Paralympic Games. After several months of intense training, two SORA adaptive rowers became part of the U.S. National team. That team won gold in the Rowing World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia, thus securing a spot in the 2012 Paralympics. Two months later, the dedication and talents of these athletes and coaches came to a dramatic conclusion when the rowers were awarded a bronze medal at the London Games. The SORA High Performance Adaptive Training Program continues to work toward its next milestone goal of competing in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

As Lake Nona has grown, so has SORA. Their goal is not only to offer great training, but also to dramatically improve the facilities for rowers, coaches and visitors. SORA is currently seeking personal and corporate contributors to help finance a fully enclosed boathouse as well as sidewalks from the boathouse to the dock and to the restrooms (which would be especially helpful to adaptive rowers). SORA also will be raising money by selling personalization of the bricks for the area in front of the boathouse. Lake Nona, with its focus on outdoors and health, has amazing facilities for many sports and activities, and SORA feels rowing should as well. South Orlando Rowing Association is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that relies on volunteers and donations for a large part of what it’s able to accomplish, and they appreciate any and all donations large and small. Donations to SORA are likely to be tax deductible, too!

The SORA rowers of all ages enjoy participating in our local events. Visit their website for more information.