SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — A huge milestone at Nathan Benderson Park, with the USRowing Youth National Championships returning to mark its 30^th anniversary.

The internationally renowned three-day regatta wrapped up on Sunday.

“It’s amazing for the community, for both Manatee County and Sarasota County. We bring about 15,000 rowers, parents, friends, to the race,” NBP chairman Michael Taaffe said.

The nation’s top rowers showcased their skills during this high-stakes competition.

“These athletes have been working all May, all season, but then qualifying for this championship at the regional championship, then they qualified for youth nationals, and we have the fastest of the fastest youth athletes of the country right now,” Sarah McAuliffe with USRowing said.

The sport is growing in popularity. This year, USRowing is hosting a new competition, the inaugural Youth Beach Sprint National Championships at Lido Key Beach, giving fans a sneak peek ahead of its 2028 Olympic debut in Los Angeles.

“They’re going to get in the ocean. So we run a couple of meters, we sprint into the boat, they then get in the boat, row 250 meters, then dock the boat, then sprint back up on sand and touch a button. It is so fun to watch,” McAuliffe said.

Fans and athletes say Benderson has become an elite location for rowing competitions. Orlando-based rower Chasey Kozak says her team uses Benderson’s often.

“This is kind of like our home course. We race here, the majority of our races this season are here, and so we’re so lucky to be able to have this Olympic racecourse, best racecourse in the country,” Kozak said.

Taaffe says Benderson anticipates hosting all world championships here in the future.

“We just won the award for this year, for last year’s event, same event last year, as the best amateur event in Florida,” Taaffe said.

For results on the USRrowing Youth National Championships, click here.