Row for Winni raises funds, awareness to benefit Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance

MEREDITH — Bob Manley, co-owner of Hermit Woods Winery, rowed 21 miles across Lake Winnipesaukee in June, raising $3,370 for the Lake Winnipesaukee Alliance and bringing attention to the urgent environmental issues threatening New Hampshire’s largest and most iconic lake.

The inaugural Row for Winni was born from a decade-old idea: to show what one person can do to support and protect a place they love.

“This lake is the center of this region,” said Manley. “It’s the reason people come here from all over the world. If our lake is in danger, then our livelihood is in danger.”

In 2024, Lake Winnipesaukee experienced record levels of cyanobacteria blooms — fed by warming temperatures and rising nutrient levels. Some areas of the lake were closed to swimming for days at a time, signaling a wake-up call to residents and visitors alike.

“For years, I’ve watched the impact of pollution, unchecked development, and invasive species,” Manley said. “I knew I had to act — and hoped others would join me. This was the first of what I hope will be many Rows for Winni.”

More than just a physical challenge, Row for Winni was a statement of shared responsibility. The funds raised will support LWA’s vital work in water quality monitoring, education, and restoration.

“Bob Manley is a business leader who understand the direct connection between protecting the clean water of Lake Winnipesaukee and maintaining the economic health of a region dependent on water-based recognition," said Chair of the Lake Winnipesaukee Board of Directors Mark Ishkanian.

For more information, visit winnipesaukee.org.