LOCATION
The Florida Rowing Center is situated in the Village of Wellington, an attractive community 12 miles west of the Palm Beach International Airport in Palm Beach County. The rowing center is 48 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, 70 miles north of Miami, and 180 miles south of Orlando.
The rowing center’s boathouse is located at the Wellington Community Center. Lake Wellington is directly behind the community center. The boathouse is to the left of the main entrance of the building and at the back the aquatic center’s pool house. Parking for students is available in the large lot in front of the community center’s main entrance.
The Wellington Community Center
12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd*
(Corner of W. Forest Hill Blvd and Country Club Drive)
Wellington, FL 33414
*Note: This is the center’s physical address; do not send correspondence to this address.
WELLINGTON COMMUNITY CENTER
The Wellington Community Center has an aquatic center with an Olympic-size heated swimming pool and a professional tennis center with 16 clay courts. The pool and courts are available on a daily basis for a small fee. Florida Rowing Center students have access to the pool house facilities for rest rooms and showers. Sculling technique video reviews take place in a community center conference room.
Wellington is home to elite equestrian and polo facilities, and competitions are held from December through April. Wellington’s well-paved roads and bike paths are ideal for cycling or skating. Bicycles can be rented locally. Nearby parks offer good running trails, biking, golf, and picnic areas. Fitness centers, supermarkets, restaurants, and shopping are conveniently located.
Wellington began in the mid-1970’s as a large master-planned community development. Today the village has approximately 40,000 residents. Early in its history Palm Beach Polo Club was established and devoted to equestrian pursuits. In the 1980’s the area became a winter mecca for show jumping and dressage riders with many of the United State Olympic Team riders training here. Every weekend there are polo and jumping competitions; every other weekend includes dressage. Go to www.stadiumjumping.com for more information about equestrian events.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Wellington is located in Palm Beach County which has an average annual temperature of 78 degrees. The Florida Rowing Center is a short drive from downtown West Palm Beach approximately 10 miles east of Wellington. The recently developed City Place offers fine shops, gourmet restaurants, and open-air plazas for entertainment and relaxation. West Palm Beach also has the Kravis Performing Arts Center. Clematis Street is known for its cafes and nightlife.
The island of Palm Beach is separated from West Palm Beach by the Intracoastal Waterway which divides the mainland from the barrier islands that run along the eastern seaboard. Palm Beach features a high-fashion shopping district, extravagant mansions, and beautiful quiet beaches. There are also more than 100 golf courses in the area, both public and private in the county.