Long Beach Junior Crew (LBJC) exists thanks to the Long Beach Rowing Association (LBRA), an organization established back in 1932 by local businessmen to promote the sport of rowing for community recreation and fitness as well as offering a competitive sport in the greater Long Beach region. LBRA purchased several of the shells left by the Olympic crews, which were used by the junior rowers. Back then local high school rowers were coached by Peter Archer (1904-2001), who produced junior national champions and many went on to row with the great California crews of that era. Hence, the boathouse was later didicated "The Pete Archer Rowing Center" in honor of his contributions to the sport of rowing in Long Beach.
The boathouse was eventually relocated with a stadium providing 2000 meters of straight water (the standard distance for national and international rowing) and surrounded with unlimited sheltered water. After the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, the Junior Rowing program was re-launched with the help of a $150,000 grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation and the only local club funded by them to still be in existence. Ongoing assistance from LBRA, junior parents, various foundations and corporations has sustained the club, which currently boasts over 89 young men and women coming from Southern Los Angeles and North Orange County schools.
Keeping up with the growing national sport of rowing, LBRA began a campaign in 1997 to expand the existing boathouse, which today accommodates an additional equipment bay for boats and rowing shells, a weight-training room, kitchen and meeting area, offices and separate women's and locker facilities. Coupled with the newly expanded facility and perfect weather and water conditions, rwoing in Long Beach has and will continue to draw young adults to the positive environment of rowing. Rowers come from sevaeral schools that are located in low-income areas with "at-risk" youth. LBJC provides participants with a positive after-school activity in a safe and productive environment. Summer rowing camps are also offered.
LBJC has produced champions and in 1998, they won their first National Championship, the Girls Varsity Quad, and repeated that win in 1999. Team members have participated successfully in statewide and national regattas, which has brought recognition from colleges who may offer academic preference or even scholarships to those rowers. (see LBJC alumni for college acceptances) Rowing is the fastest growing NCAA sport and LBJC has seen a tremendous increase in the young women rowers.
