Happening This Week at Nathan Benderson Park

U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Rowing is Feb. 22-26 at NBP: The road to Tokyo is wide open, and Feb. 22-26 is when Sarasota-Bradenton takes the world stage as singles and doubles will compete for seats on Team USA. Some hopefuls coming to Nathan Benderson Park for these trials are vying for quads and eights; that process includes another trial and a selection camp. 
More information on the trials (NOW INCLUDING SCHEDULE!) is HERE.

One boat will be directly qualified to Tokyo from the trials at NBP — the women’s single. The qualifier will be the winner of the W1xF at 8:30 a.m. Friday.

IMPORTANT: See media access guidelines and the credential request form HERE.

There is no spectator access to Regatta Island for this event. Spectators may watch from the west and south shores of the competition lake, with parking in the north and green (“SCAT”) lots as well as on the south and west shores (playground-area parking will be marked for playground only).

Park parking and access restrictions: HERE

Next Olympic qualifier at NBP is the canoe/kayak qualifier March 19-21.

Nik Wallenda’s Daredevil Rally returns: The nation’s pioneer socially distant, drive-in thrill-show event returns to the park for its second year. Wallenda is joined by a cast including a human cannonball, stunt acrobatics and motorcycle stunt riders. Tickets and more info are available at daredevilrally.com. Show times:
Friday, Feb. 26, 5 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 27, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 28: 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 4, 5 p.m.
Friday, March 5, 5 p.m.
Saturday, March 6, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Sunday, March 7, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

NBP Rec Day! on Saturday: Our next NBP Rec Day! is Saturday, Feb. 27, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. This is a great opportunity for natural sound and family-friendly imagery on the water. For a small fee, children and their parents and siblings can get out on the water with their choice of our equipment and switch out at their whim. There are kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, a pedal pontoon boat, and a 15-foot sailboat with captain (masks required). See more about the family friendly NBP Rec Days HERE.

Generally, the Saturday and Wednesday NBP Rec Days! alternate weeks, though there are schedule adjustments for park events. The next NBP Rec Days! are Wednesdays, March 3, 17 and 31, and Saturday, March 6. 

Photoville FENCE continues through end of February:  For the third consecutive year, the Photoville FENCE is at the park. The international outdoor photography exhibition is on both sides of the chain-link fence on the upper finish tower loop parking lot (between the two bridges onto Regatta Island). A Florida photographers’ showcase is on display, alongside winners picked by an international jury of photographers, photo editors, photo artists and curators. The exhibit will continue through the end of February.

Photo from Nathan Benderson Park