WELCOME
VIRGINIA J. HALEY, CDME
PRESIDENT
VISIT SARASOTA
On behalf of Visit Sarasota County and the
Sarasota County Sports Commission, I am
delighted to welcome you to the 2018 World
Rowing Masters Regatta at Nathan Benderson
Park. It is our privilege to host this exciting event
just one year after hosting the 2017 World Rowing
Championships in our destination. We have looked
forward to experiencing the Masters Regatta spirit
of comradery and competition in our hometown.
We hope that you will find your experience
on Florida’s Gulf Coast fun, entertaining and
memorable. During your free time, be sure to take
a walk on some of the 35-mile pristine shoreline,
including Siesta Key, voted No. 1 U.S. beach by
TripAdvisor users, or explore our state parks and
the shopping and savory dining in downtown
Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. Whatever you
choose to do, we hope you will enjoy our area as
much as we enjoy having you here.
Visit Sarasota County is proud to welcome you to
our destination. We hope you enjoy your time here
and wish you the best of luck in the races.
SEAN WALTER
DIRECTOR OF SPORTS
BRADENTON AREA SPORTS COMMISSION
We are thrilled to welcome you to our beautiful
destination. Together, Nathan Benderson Park, the
Bradenton area and Sarasota create the perfect
backdrop for the World Rowing Masters Regatta.
The Bradenton area has long been one of Florida’s
most flourishing vacation destinations, and in
recent years has begun to rapidly ascend to the
position of the state’s pre-eminent destination for
sports training, competition and development.
Our area is treasured for the authentic Old Florida
charm, breath-taking scenery, funky shopping
districts and 16 miles of sugar-white sand beaches.
The Bradenton area offers its own brand of
downtown culture and main street character.
Aside from being the home of the world-renowned
IMG Academy, the Bradenton area has hosted
spring training for the Pittsburgh Pirates since
1969, as well as home to its minor-league team,
the Marauders. Olympic ice skaters and hockey
hopefuls are rigorously coached at the Ellenton
Ice and Sports Complex. Additionally, the area just
hosted the 2017 World Rowing Championships.
Thank you again for making the Bradenton area
your home during the Masters!
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