New College of Florida thesis student Antonia “Toni” Ginsberg-Klemmt is transforming the rowing landscape—or rather, waterscape—in Sarasota. Her team, New Crew SRQ, became the first multi-school collegiate rowing team on the Suncoast a year ago, and she and her athletes have since been winning regattas and gaining international attention. In fact, in February, a renowned coach from Oxford, England, named John Hill joined the team as a guest coach. “I’m so excited about the growth of New Crew,” says Ginsberg-Klemmt, the team founder/captain, who is also an award-winning entrepreneur.

Founder/Owner Toni Ginsberg-Klemmt continues to steer towards an inclusive crew club for adaptive athletes. New Crew SRQ athletes row at Nathan Benderson Aquatic Park

FOUNDER/OWNER TONI GINSBERG-KLEMMT CONTINUES TO STEER TOWARDS AN INCLUSIVE CREW CLUB FOR ADAPTIVE ATHLETES. NEW CREW SRQ ATHLETES ROW AT NATHAN BENDERSON AQUATIC PARK

“My goal is for New Crew SRQ to be an inclusive space for adaptive athletes from all backgrounds and abilities in the rowing capital of the U.S.”  Ginsberg-Klemmt, a rower since seventh grade, is a 2018 graduate of Pine View School who is double majoring in physics and environmental studies at New College. She even won a coveted 2021 OZY Genius Award for a portable, solar-powered vehicle carport she invented. She founded New Crew SRQ in 2019 and, in March 2021, it became an official club and partnership between New College and the Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc.—the nonprofit organization that operates Nathan Benderson Park for Sarasota County.

In November, New Crew SRQ rowers competed against athletes from across the state in the “Head of the 941” regatta and earned numerous accolades—including several first- and second-place finishes. Ginsberg-Klemmt continues to broaden her vision for the team. “I have been working with my good friend and mentor, Bob Berry from Benderson Park, on coaching blind rowers with his company, Remote Coxswain—as well as adaptive rowing for amputees and paraplegic athletes,” she says. “I’m just continuing to expand our team’s core values of positivity and inclusion—for all types of rowers to blossom.”