Long Beach Junior Crew
The Pete Archer Rowing Center
5750 Boathouse Lane, Long Beach, CA 90803
Long Beach Junior Crew (LBJC) exists thanks to the vision and dedication of its founders, Steve and Debbie Nowinski. In 1967 the Marine Stadium, which was the venue for the 1932 Olympics, was modified and a new boathouse was built and dedicated as “The Pete Archer Rowing Center” in honor of his contributions to the sport of rowing in Long Beach.
After the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, Steve and Debbie Nowinski re-launched the Junior Rowing program in 1986 with the help of a $150,000 grant from the Amateur Athletic Foundation; LBJC is the only local club funded by the AAF still in existence. Ongoing support from junior parents and various foundations, corporations and private donors has sustained the club, which currently boasts over 100 young men and women coming from Southern Los Angeles and North Orange County schools.
LBJC provides participants with a positive after-school activity in a safe and productive environment. LBJC rowers include students who attend schools that are located in low-income areas with “at-risk” youth; providing adequate funding for scholarships to low-income families continues to be a fundraising priority. Summer rowing camps are also offered.
LBJC produces champions. In 1998 the women’s varsity quadruple sculls won their first National Championship. That win was repeated in 1999 and subsequent women’s teams won National championships in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the eight, quadruple and double sculls. Team members have participated successfully in statewide, national and international regattas. Since 2008, LBJC has sent 9 rowers to represent the United States in International competition. Three of these rowers became world champions. These successes have brought interest from college coaches, who in turn have offered academic preference or scholarships or both to select rowers.
Rowing is the fastest growing NCAA sport and LBJC has seen a tremendous increase in the number of young rowers. Today LBJC is a thriving non-profit dedicated to continuing the great tradition of outstanding junior rowing in Long Beach.
LBJC BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2017 – 2018
Dee Johnson
Secretary
Filip Reinis
Chief Financial Officer
Long Beach Junior Crew
Location: The Pete Archer Rowing Center 5750 Boathouse Lane, Long Beach, CA 90803
Mailing Address: 5318 East Second Street, PMB 366, Long Beach, CA 90803