Newport Sea Base Rowing merges with SoCal Scullers

NEWPORT BEACH — Two Orange County rowing programs officially joined forces, it was announced in late May. Newport Sea Base and Southern California Scullers formally announced a merger last month, bringing a youth boating/maritime center and competitive rowing organization together under the same roof. The new joint venture will feature Dan McGill as men’s varsity head coach, Ian Simpson as managing director and Michelle Green as rowing director. Simpson and McGill founded the Scullers in 2013. All operations will now be based in Newport Beach. This merger means Newport Sea Base and Southern California Scullers will share athletes, coaching staff and equipment. Both organizations experienced a solid track record of success as individual entities. Newport Sea Base, located at Newport Beach Harbor, offers educational programs in marine sciences, paddling lessons, sailing, scouting and wood working to all youth between 6 and 20 years old. The organization also offered competitive programs in dinghy sailing, junior and master rowing, and offshore sailing. The Sea Base’s rowing team had three boats competing at this year’s U.S. Rowing Youth National Championships, held June 9-11 in Sarasota, Florida. Newport Sea Base, which launched in 1937 and celebrated its 80th anniversary this year, served more than 6,100 youth in 2016. Meanwhile Southern California...