Bowdoin College has one of the leading college men's rowing teams in the country. Last year, a new company, Elite Boatworks, began building high-tech racing shells in Brunswick. Many of Elite's employees and managers are the driving force behind the new rowing club. Among them are former national rowing team members who have raced at the Head of the Charles, as well as master's champions and a former college rowing coach. Topsham has the potential to be northern New England's premier rowing center.
Sculling requires an oar in each hand, whereas two hands are used on one sweep oar.
Elite will make both kinds of shells. Both types of rowing will be available at the Topsham Rowing Club, which was formed after Brunswick declined to renew the annual lease of the Merrymeeting Rowing Club that had been in effect for 10 years. The club has boats to get people started, and will be adding shells as it can afford them. The club will be located off Foreside Road, across from Cow Island. Town officials have set aside land for the club at the Topsham Sewer District's pump station.