Manley completes Row for Winni challenge to raise awareness for lake health

GILFORD — Bob Manley, co-founder of Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, completed a 22-mile solo row across Lake Winnipesaukee, from Center Harbor to Alton Bay, in support of the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance and the growing efforts to protect New Hampshire’s lakes on June 26.

The journey, called “Row for Winni,” was the culmination of a dream Manley has held since moving to the Lakes Region in 1993 — to cross the full length of Lake Winnipesaukee under his own power. After taking up sculling in 2023 with the support of Squam Community Rowing, he trained year-round, logging over four million meters on Squam Lake, Meredith Bay, and his indoor Hydrow rower.

“I’m in the best shape of my life at age 60,” said Manley. “I wanted to combine a personal milestone with something that would benefit the lake I love.”

With support boat guidance from Jamie Irving of North Wing Design, Manley set out at 4:30 a.m. on June 26. The first five miles were smooth—but what followed was five hours of unexpected headwinds, large swells, a leaking hull, and even a full flip into the lake near Rattlesnake Island. Despite the setbacks, he completed the row, arriving at Alton Bay around 9:40 a.m.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Manley said. “But I made it. And more importantly, I got to share the message about the growing challenges facing our lakes.”

Awareness for lake health

While the row was personal, the purpose was greater: raising awareness and support for the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the health of the region’s largest and most iconic lake.

New Hampshire’s lakes are under increasing pressure from:

• Excess nutrients and runoff from development and aging infrastructure, fueling harmful algal blooms

• Invasive species like milfoil and zebra mussels, choking native ecosystems

• Warming waters from climate change, shifting delicate ecological balances

• Shoreline loss and heavy boat traffic, leading to erosion and habitat destruction

“These are not future threats — they are happening now,” said Manley. “It’s going to take education, investment, and community action to turn the tide.”

Manley encourages anyone who loves New Hampshire’s lakes to support the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance and its efforts to monitor, educate, and advocate for lake health.

“Together, we can protect these waters for generations to come.”

For more information, visit winnipesaukee.org/row-for-winni.