From Beginners to Olympian: The Head of the Henderson Showcases ROCCS’ Rowers

For more than 15 years, the Rowing Organization of Citrus County Students, better known as ROCCS, has been shaping athletes, building community, and opening the world of rowing to people of all ages in Citrus County. Founded to make rowing accessible to everyone, ROCCS has grown into a regional organization with international reach, with two rowers, brother and sister Nicolas and Celine Pokusa, currently competing on the Czech national team, balancing recreation, competition, and lifelong fitness.

At its core, ROCCS is about opportunity. Its competitive flagship, the High School Rowing Team, trains year round on Lake Henderson in Inverness. Here, student-athletes learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience while competing successfully at regional and state regattas. Many have gone on to row at collegiate and national levels, with some earning scholarships to continue their sport while pursuing higher education. This is a remarkable accomplishment for a community of Citrus County’s size.

ROCCS is not just for elite athletes. The organization emphasizes accessibility, offering programs for middle schoolers, high school students, and adults. Rowing is unique because it can be intensely competitive or entirely recreational, making room for every kind of athlete. Unlike running or contact sports, it provides a full-body workout with minimal joint impact, something participants can enjoy well into later life. This fall, ROCCS proudly features rowers ranging from 11 to 80 years old.

The upcoming Head of the Henderson Regatta, scheduled for October 4, showcases this diversity. Already a signature tradition, the event draws competitors from across the Southeastern United States. A “head race,” in rowing terminology, is a long-distance endurance race and this one tests crews over a grueling 5,000-meter course. Open to middle school, high school, and adult rowers, it highlights the full spectrum of the sport.

This year’s regatta promises to be the largest yet, with 16 clubs traveling from around the region and 350+ entries across multiple races, as many athletes procrastinated in registering. Crews will arrive with trailers and tents at Wallace Brooks Park, filling the lakefront with activity and turning the area into a lively festival of sport. But it is more than just racing. Visiting teams often call the Head of the Henderson the friendly regatta because of the warm, welcoming spirit of ROCCS’ volunteers, parents, coaches, and the Citrus County community.

“ROCCS works tirelessly to provide top quality crew programs for Citrus County students and adults in collaboration with the fantastic local leadership at the City. Inverness has become a premier training and competition destination, shining a light on the sport of crew, our community, and our student athletes,” Regatta Director Jodi Zakaria said.

Volunteers are central to ROCCS’ identity. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization is run entirely by volunteers, including certified coaches and board members who donate countless hours to keep programs thriving. Five-day-a-week training, including early Saturday mornings, gives student-athletes structure, accountability, and purpose. For some teens, being part of ROCCS is a cornerstone that helps them stay on track academically and personally.

ROCCS’ influence extends far beyond Citrus County. The lake’s calm, wide waters and favorable weather have made it a nationally recognized winter training destination for top rowing programs. Division I universities such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have trained here, and the Green Racing Project, a New England-based feeder program for Olympic rowers, makes the area a recurring winter home.

The program’s reach continues onto the world stage. ROCCS alumni include Olympian Ben Davison and Debbie Brazill, who recently won two gold medals at the World Rowing Championships in Spain. About a dozen alumni have gone on to row at the collegiate level, carrying Citrus County’s name to universities across the country.

Beyond accolades, rowing builds more than strength. It fosters perseverance, time management, and teamwork. Every rower must pull in exact rhythm with their teammates, and success comes only through unity and trust. These lessons carry far beyond the water.

Still, ROCCS never loses sight of its mission to make rowing available to anyone who wants to try it. Recreational programs for youth and adults allow newcomers to discover the joy of the water. For some, rowing becomes a hobby; for others, a lifelong passion. The diversity of ROCCS athletes, from middle school beginners to retirees, reflects that mission.

As October 4 approaches, excitement is building for the Head of the Henderson. The regatta will test the endurance of 350+ athletes while spotlighting Citrus County as a rowing hub. Residents are encouraged to visit Wallace Brooks Park to cheer on competitors and experience the energy of one of the world’s oldest and most elegant sports. For rowers, it is another opportunity to embrace the hospitality that has earned the event its reputation as the friendly regatta.

Fifteen years on, ROCCS stands as proof that a community united by vision and persistence can achieve extraordinary things. What began as a way to give local students access to rowing has blossomed into an organization that trains champions, hosts major events, and promotes healthy living for people of all ages. Whether on the world stage or right here on Lake Henderson, ROCCS continues to pull together, stroke by stroke.

To learn more about ROCCS and the Head of the Henderson competition, visit www.crewroccs.com.

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