Since he is passionate about rowing, Chris Walsh is always seeking new opportunities to immerse himself in the sport. So when he met Chris Gill, executive director and coach of Freedom Rowers, at an event in Maryland in August 2015, he was definitely interested in the organization and excited about the possibilities. As fellow rowers, they immediately made a connection, and Walsh knew that he wanted to become involved. Unfortunately, he lived in Arlington, Virginia, so he was unable to make a commitment. But like many circumstances in life, timing is everything, and Walsh was hopeful that he would be able to explore the opportunity in the future.
“My wife, Meg, and I had purchased a home outside of Oxford in 2005, and we were planning to relocate,” Walsh says. “My parents moved to Easton in the 1970s, so I was familiar with the area. When I met Chris, I explained my current situation and told her that I would contact her when we had settled into our new home. And that’s how my involvement with Freedom Rowers began. I’ve been an active volunteer since 2016. I also joined the board of directors in January 2017 and have served as president since January 2019. Freedom Rowers is a great organization, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
Established in 2006 and based in Easton, Freedom Rowers is a competitive rowing program with no school affiliation that is open to students aged 13–18 in Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, and Queen Anne’s counties. The organization offers two seasons per year: spring (March through May) and fall (September through November).
An avid rower whose involvement in the sport spans 48 years, Walsh is a devoted volunteer who works tirelessly to support Freedom Rowers. Although he loves watching the team, he is not involved with coaching. Instead, he works behind the scenes in an effort to secure long-term sustainability. Some of his primary responsibilities include managing the organization’s finances and online platforms, building upon existing partnerships, reaching out to the community for support, and exploring opportunities for growth.
“Chris is a terrific addition to our dedicated board of directors and came onboard at a time when we were transitioning to an organization that is now utilizing all manner of online platforms,” Gill says. “With his professional knowledge, we are better able to track our financial health and growth for the future. Chris is also a rower at heart and understands the importance of our mission, which offers kids the opportunity to grow through a sport that is an alternative to the traditional ball sports. He has seen firsthand how rowing has changed the lives of many of our team members, and this motivates him to push for our continued success by building a board that connects with the community and improves our visibility.”
Indeed, Walsh’s hard work and dedication greatly contribute to Freedom Rowers’ success. By maintaining solid partnerships with Evergreen Cove Holistic Learning Center, which serves as the team’s headquarters and offers water access on the Tred Avon River, and the YMCA, which the team utilizes as a meeting space, he ensures that the organization has a stable base of operations. Walsh also secures funding for the team’s needs and generates community support. As a nonprofit organization, Freedom Rowers relies solely on donations and program fees.
Like any organization, Freedom Rowers constantly strives to improve and grow, and Walsh believes that it is important to look toward the future. He would like to make an impact—not just on a day-to-day basis but on the next generation of rowers—and leave a lasting legacy. In fact, when Walsh thinks about the future of the organization, he feels a sense of exhilaration. Success stories can emerge from humble beginnings. Walsh is proud to see a small team of about 40 rowers on a tight budget strive to reach great heights, and he looks forward to building upon the tradition of excellence that was established nearly 15 years ago.
“There are no bad days on the water,” Walsh says. “It’s wonderful to see the color of the sky or watch an osprey diving in the water. I often say ‘there’s more to life than rowing but not much.’ And I truly believe that. It’s not just a sport; it’s a way of life.”
At the time of writing, Freedom Rowers had cancelled the spring season in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Gill and the board of directors are closely monitoring the situation in accordance with national, state, and local guidelines. They hope that the team can compete in the fall season, but they realize that the situation is uncertain. For the latest updates, visit freedomrowers.org and follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram.
