A long crew boat glided across the Maumee River as its eight occupants rowed in unison, illustrating a new partnership between the Maritime Academy of Toledo and the Toledo Rowing Club.

As the rowing shells cruised the river Wednesday morning, administrators from the groups signed a new partnership agreement on the shore in International Park.

The deal will give the academy access to the club’s rowing equipment with which to introduce students to the sport. The club will have access to the academy’s indoor pool to practice water safety with swim tests and boat flip tests.

“I love anything involving putting our kids in the boat, on the water," Academy Superintendent Tom Shafer said. "This partnership is certainly amazing for our school."

The maritime academy, a public charter school, began working with the rowing club when students toured its boathouse during the 2013-2014 school year. This year, instructor Sheri Rodgers taught an exploration of water skills class and included lessons at the rowing club. Students used rowing machines to learn proper technique before going into the water.

Molly Straley, a sophomore, enjoyed the class and said it helped her overcome a fear of being on the water. Others praised its hands-on nature.

Both organizations hope to increase rowing opportunities for students, whether through academy classes, club team involvement, or participation in the National “Learn to Row Day,” which will be Saturday.

Academy students, Ms. Rodgers, and Rowing Club Director Kristina Latta-Landefeld will teach a rowing class at the club, 8 Main St, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday. It will be free and open to the public with additional classes taking place on July 11 and Aug. 1.

“There is no age limit for rowing,” Ms. Latta-Lande-feld said, and she encouraged adults as well as children to try it.

Jim Hartung, chairman of the academy, praised rowing as "the skill of a lifetime.”

But besides the sport’s health benefits, Ms. Latta-Landefeld also pointed to one of her rowers out on the water who recently received a college scholarship for rowing.

Mr. Shafer echoed her enthusiasm, saying the partnership created “the ability to give our kids the opportunity to get into college, to compete, to form teams, to work together."

Also present was Toledo City Councilman Mike Craig, who called the Maumee River both the past and the future of Toledo, “so to see these people take advantage of the river is a real joy."

Contact Kendrick McDonald at: kmcdonald@theblade.com, or 419-724-6050.

First Published June 4, 2015, 4:00 a.m.