Eric Dowler Talks Rowing, Outdoors and Marietta’s Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival

Since being asked by a friend in high school to fill a spot on the rowing team, Eric Dowler has had a love for being on the water. Growing up along the Ohio River, the native of Parkersburg, West Virginia, attended Marietta College, and after finding a sense of community and a shared appreciation for the outdoors, he moved to Marietta permanently.

Having now lived there nearly half his life, Dowler serves as president of the Harmar Rowing Club and, in 2017, he was appointed director of the Rivers, Trails and Ales Festival (Aug. 6 through 9). Marietta Adventure Co. co-owners Ryan Smith and Hallie Taylor created the event in 2010. 

“The festival is designed fully to be enjoyed by any person,” Dowler says. “Whether you’re a cyclist that does century rides, or you’re a paddler that does miles and miles, or you’re brand new to any kind of physical activity; whatever age you are, we have an event for you.”

Attendees can explore the area through the roughly more than 75 organized activities, including cycling, paddling, yoga and trail runs. We talked with Dowler about the meaning behind the festival and his personal passion for outdoor recreation. 

Why did rowing connect with you and why has it remained important to you? 
I grew up literally on the Ohio River in West Virginia, so out the front door down the hill a little bit is the river. So, I’ve always been around water ever since I was born. … That’s why I have such a love for the water in the region — just understanding how much rowing has shaped me as a human and helped get me to the places I’ve gotten now, and the travels I’ve been able to do because of it as well.

Why do you think rivers, trails and the outdoors sit so squarely at the heart of the Marietta community?  
You can look at it different ways. [One is] being out in nature, enjoying God’s creation, if it’s on the water or the hills of the area, that’s just good for your body and for your soul. … Marietta is [also] the first settlement of the Northwest Territory, so that pioneering spirit [that settled] the area, I think that spirit and that community has just continued … and we’re here just picking it up and keeping it going. 

What would you tell someone unsure about whether this festival is for them?I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody that has showed up to attend or do some of the events and just simply not been happy. So, I would encourage anybody that’s reading this, if they have just even one ounce of an interest in any of the events you might see as part of this festival, just go out and try it. … It’s going to be a very positive, happy experience.

For more information, visit rtafest.com.

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