From Mountain Small Town to Global Stage: USRowing Selects Big Bear Lake as its Official High-Altitude Training Base for LA28 Olympic Games
Written by US Rowing
USRowing makes a historic three-year commitment, which signals the rise of Big Bear Lake as one of the world’s premier performance destinations. On Thursday, March 26, 2026, USRowing will announce a historic three-year commitment to train in Big Bear Lake, for three-weeks, each spring through the LA28 Olympic Games—unlocking, for the first time in history, full-scale rowing at the popular Southern California four-season destinations 7-mile alpine reservoir . This milestone marks a defining shift not only for American rowing, but for how and where elite athletes prepare in the United States. A year in the making, the partnership is the result of a deeply coordinated effort between The Sports Office (TSO), Visit Big Bear, and the Big Bear Municipal Water District—transforming a century-old destination into a new frontier for Olympic performance.
Set at 6,752 feet (2,058 meters) above sea level and just two hours from Los Angeles, Big Bear Lake has long been a quiet force in American sport. Its legacy stretches back decades—from hosting the team USA Wrestling Olympic camp for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics where the United States went on to dominate winning 13 total medals (9 gold); to serving as the home of the first Winter X Games in 1997. For decades, Olympians, world champions, and elite athletes across dozens disciplines have trained here, drawn by its altitude, terrain, and unique blend of access to the world from a seemingly rural alpine outpost. But until now, it has never been activated at this scale.
“This isn’t a new story—it’s a story finally being told at the level it deserves,” said Damien S. Navarro, Managing Partner of Hueco Tanks and Co-Investor in TSO. “Big Bear has always had the raw ingredients. What we’re building now is the system around it—where environment, science, and performance come together to create something that didn’t previously exist in the United States.”
The partnership is anchored by the TSO’s newly acquired High Altitude Training Center (HATC), including the integration of the renowned Fight Syndicate, owned and managed by Ryan “Red” Hazinski, into a next-generation performance campus managed by TSO. What was once a traditional fitness facility is being reimagined into a fully integrated high-performance ecosystem—designed to serve pro / Olympic team camps, professional athletes and fighters, and to foster emerging international and local talent pipelines. Already a profitable and stable operation, the center is now being scaled into a flagship model for altitude-based training in California and beyond.
“Big Bear Lake has always been a place where athletes come to challenge themselves, and USRowing’s decision to train here on the road to LA28 takes that legacy to a whole new level,” said Visit Big Bear CEO Travis Scott. “This is a defining moment for our destination and a proud example of what strong local partnership can make possible.”
The decision by USRowing also marks a historic first for Big Bear Lake itself. Through close collaboration with the Big Bear Municipal Water District, rowing has been formally approved for training use—unlocking a new chapter for endurance sport at altitude. This milestone was made possible in part by the late Bob Rehfuss, a Board Member of the District whose leadership and advocacy were instrumental in guiding the approval forward.
“Bob understood what this meant—not just for rowing, but for the future of this community,” said Johnny Burnham, EVP of TSO. “He believed in it, he pushed for it, and he helped make it happen. Sitting in that final meeting and seeing his chair empty was incredibly difficult. This moment carries his fingerprint, and we will honor that as we move forward.”
In recent weeks, TSO and HATC have hosted some of the most recognizable names in combat sports, including mixed martial arts and UFC standouts Chito Vera, Khamzat Chimaev, Arman Tsarukyan, and Pat Downey. This past weekend, Major League Rugby’s California Legion completed the final phase of their preseason training at altitude, culminating in Big Bear ahead of their season opener against Anthem Rugby Carolina. At the same time, TSO is actively restoring critical programming in partnership with Special Olympics Southern California—ensuring access to world-class training environments for athletes of all abilities.
To mark the announcement guests are invited on the morning of March 26, attendees are invited to join members of the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Rowing Teams including Olympic Gold Medalist Justin Best and World Championship medalist Rachel Rane, aboard the historic Time Bandit, the famed resident pirate ship that has sailed Big Bear Lake since 1998. The intimate, 1.5-hour lake journey will feature a live conversation with the athletes, moderated by ESPN senior writer and broadcast reporter Alyssa Roenigk, offering a rare window into Olympic preparation. Participation in these limited sailings is offered as a suggested $250 donation to the USRowing Foundation, with just 18 guests per voyage. Interested parties may RSVP at https://form.jotform.com/
Supporters can also learn more or contribute directly at: https://give.usrowing.org
The day continues with the official announcement event at the newly unveiled Sunnybrook Estate, a hand-built wooden venue at the gateway to Moonridge by owners Spencer and Laurie Kagan. In partnership with Visit Big Bear, the Big Bear Chamber of Commerce, Big Bear Disposal, Inc., the Big Bear Municipal Water District, and San Bernardino County Regional Parks, the event brings together civic leaders, athletes, and public to formally introduce Big Bear’s role in the future of global sport.
The press day and training camp are supported by a growing coalition of local and regional partners, including Sessions Retreat & Hotel, the HATC, Captain’s Anchorage Restaurant and Bar, and Jazzy Bear Ride Service—bringing together performance infrastructure, hospitality, and local culture to create a fully integrated experience for athletes and guests alike.
Speakers will include City of Big Bear Lake Mayor Randall Putz, BBMWD General Manager Jared Cheek, TSO EVP Johnny Burnham, Fight Syndicate owner Ryan Hazinski, VBB CEO Travis Scott, and Josy Verdonkschot,The McLane Family Chief High Performance Officer.
“For us, this is about building consistency in how we prepare for LA28,” said Verdonkschot. “We need environments that challenge our athletes while allowing us to control variables across training cycles. Big Bear offers that rare combination, and this partnership allows us to build something sustainable and performance-driven over time.”
The initiative is also supported by elite athlete perspectives from those who have long relied on Big Bear as part of their training regimen. Cameron Wurf, Olympian, Ironman world record holder, and seasonal resident of Big Bear Lake, emphasized the competitive advantage of altitude when paired with intentional programming.
“Altitude is one of the few remaining advantages you can’t replicate artificially,” said Wurf. “When you combine a place like this with the right programming and the right athletes, you’re creating an environment that fundamentally changes outcomes. That’s what’s being built here.”
For the City of Big Bear Lake, these efforts reflect a continuation of the community’s long-standing role as a destination for elite athletes and highlight the area’s natural advantages for training and competition.
“This is an exciting opportunity to further showcase what makes Big Bear Lake unique,” said Mayor Randall Putz. “Our community has a strong history of supporting athletes across a wide range of sports, and it’s encouraging to see continued interest in Big Bear Lake as a place to train and prepare at a high level.”
As the road to LA28 accelerates, Big Bear Lake is more than a destination, it’s becoming a platform. One where history, environment, and ambition converge to shape the future of athletic performance.
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