07/24/2026
EBR FRIDAY FAM- a new addition to our social media press.
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The below article was in the June Greet Magazine, Barrington. Cora and Pete Laxton are our first Fam Highlight!
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When Pete Laxton first watched his daughter Cora race, he wasn’t just there to cheer. “I saw some of the adults rowing and thought, that looks really fun,” he says. “I wanted to be part of the team and part of the community.”
Cora had discovered East Bay Rowing in 2023, when the team visited her middle school and brought rowing machines into gym class. “It made me curious,” says Cora Laxton. “Then I joined the youth team that spring.”
Like many Barrington parents, Pete started out on the sidelines. But it didn’t take long to notice something more. “There was clearly a community built around the club,” he says. “It wasn’t just about the kids. People were connecting.”
That sense of connection came at the right time. After moving to Barrington in 2020 and spending a few years working from home, Pete found his workouts starting to feel a little isolated. “I had been cycling and lifting, but it got lonely,” he says. “I hadn’t been on a team in about a decade, and I missed that.”
Rowing offered exactly what he was looking for, along with something uniquely local. “If you live in Rhode Island, especially in Barrington, you should be on the water. It’s the best part of being here.”
Pete joined as a complete beginner, starting on the indoor rowing machine before heading out onto the water in the spring. “The first few weeks you’re in a wide, stable boat with other beginners and a coach,” he explains. “You’re all learning together, which makes it much less intimidating.”
Even so, the learning curve surprised him. “You’re thinking about body mechanics, timing, the oars, balancing the boat, and trying to go fast at the same time,” he says, laughing. “It’s harder than it looks.”
“It’s really rewarding when you get better and faster.” — Cora Laxton
For Cora, that same challenge is part of what makes the sport so rewarding. “It’s a really team-driven sport,” she says. “You have to work together, especially in the boat.” Rowing has also been her first real experience being part of a team. “It’s taught me a lot about being a teammate,” she says. “You have to be consistent and disciplined.” Early mornings, tough workouts, and long practices are all part of it, but her motivation is simple. “It’s really rewarding when you get better and faster.”
For Pete, the physical side has been a surprise, too. “It’s a mix of power and endurance,” he says. “You’re working hard for longer stretches, and it’s driven a lot by your legs. It’s a full-body workout.”
What stood out just as quickly, though, was the culture of the club. “The more experienced rowers were incredibly welcoming,” he says. “You can tell the club really values community.”
That support was especially clear on his first day in a racing shell, when experienced rowers volunteered their time to help beginners get out on the water. “That says a lot about the kind of place it is,” he says.
Cora sees that same support from her side of the team. “My favorite moments are when I finish a hard workout or get a good time at a regatta,” she says. “That’s when you really feel proud of yourself.”
And then there’s the dynamic neither of them expected, sharing the same sport. “It’s funny,” Cora says. “My dad asks me questions, and I actually know more than him now.”
Pete laughs. “For the first time, she’s teaching me something,” he says. “That’s been really special.” What started as cheering from the sidelines has turned into something they now share. “There are only so many times you can ask, ‘How was school today?’” Pete says. “Now we talk about practice, races, what went well. We have this whole new connection.”
For Cora, the message is simple for other students thinking about joining. “It’s definitely a commitment,” she says, “but it’s worth it.”
For Pete, the goal is already set. “I’d love to race in the same regatta as Cora before she heads to college.”
On any given morning on the Barrington River, you might just find them both out there, working toward it together.
Ready to try something new?
Thinking about giving it a try? Come on your own, bring a friend, or even join alongside a family member. East Bay Rowing welcomes all ages and experience levels, including complete beginners.It’s more than just a sport — it’s a chance to challenge yourself, be part of a team, and enjoy time on the water in one of Barrington’s most beautiful settings.
To learn more or sign up:
Visit https://www.eastbayrowing.org
Or email: Kelsey, Director of Rowing at [email protected]
