BY RICH DAVIS
PHOTO BY ED MORAN

Don’t give up trying to help this rower. Athletes who are seemingly unable to change typically have trouble breaking bad habits or unconscious patterns. Sometimes they don’t understand what their coach is telling them. Or it could be as simple as their not being able to hear the coach in practice.

That being said, there are things you can do to hasten change. Switching problematic athletes to their opposite side will force them to learn the stroke all over again. You could also assign such rowers to another coach in a lower boat, one who might be able to explain things in a way the athlete better understands. Sending athletes to a lower boat might also motivate them to make the changes they need.

From my perspective, there is no better tool than filming in getting athletes to understand a technical change. First, you will need to make sure that they are seeing what you see on the screen.  From there, you can use slow motion to compare what they are doing with the other rowers in the boat. Then have your athletes sit on the erg and manually show the exact positions you’d like to see them in during the various points of the stroke.

Simply taking the time shows that you want them to row well. If they are aware of that, they are more likely to want to come through for you.

STAFF REPORTS
PHOTO BY PETER SPURRIER

Hudson Boat Works and Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s Green Racing Project have formed a performance partnership.

The partnership will give the Green Racing Project access to Hudson products and support.

“For us, HUDSON reflects many of our values. We’re looking to build unique, creative athletes that still rise to the international standard in their own way” Coach Steve Whelpley states. “HUDSON is at a point now where they are innovating for our sport at the same time as they produce a high-quality product on a day-to-day basis. I look at their USP rigger and finally see a rigger that rivals the integrated use of carbon fiber in many other sports like cycling and sailing.”

“No matter what anyone says, at the end of the day it’s all about the athlete,” Atlantic Sales Manager Matt Muffelman says. “We are beyond excited to support the Green Racing Project and the overall development of current and future athletes that look to further their competitive careers at Craftsbury.”

STAFF REPORTS
PHOTO BY ED MORAN

Temple University recently added two new coaches to the Owls coaching staff. Anastasia (Stacey) Price comes to Temple from Jacksonville, where she earned four consecutive conference championships and made multiple appearances at the NCAA rowing championships as an athlete and coach.

Breanne (Bre) Fitzsimmons has been a coach for nearly a decade, including eight years at Row New York.

“I am thrilled to welcome Anastasia Price and Breanne Fitzsimmons to Temple women’s rowing,” said Owls head coach Rebecca Grzybowski. “They are both proven leaders with contagious energy and enthusiasm who will help us continue to drive our program forward.”

STAFF REPORTS
PHOTO BY PETER SPURRIER

New Zealand oarsman Robbie Manson has retired from rowing.

Manson, known as one of the fastest single scullers in rowing history, made the announcement via Instagram and Rowing New Zealand.

“After rowing for the last 15 years, I’ve decided it’s time for me to take an indefinite break and experience life on the outside,” Manson said. “I’m very proud of what I have achieved with the sport that I love, it was far more than I ever dreamt possible. The friends I’ve made, the places I’ve been and the experiences I’ve had are what has made this journey so special and worthwhile.”

In addition to Manson’s speed on the water, he is also well-known as an LGBTQ+ activist, becoming one of the first Olympic rowers to come out.

According to the Rowing New Zealand report, Manson intends on taking the time to “pursue other passions, with Rowing NZ’s full support.”

STAFF REPORTS
PHOTO PROVIDED

The 50th-anniversary iteration of the historic Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is underway and will take place October 18-24.

“The Head of the Schuylkill has been working non-stop to produce an interesting, competitive, informative week of events since all major sporting events were canceled by our mayor,” Ellen Carver, president of the regatta, said.

The event is taking place virtually offering competitors the option to compete on the water, on an erg on their own time, or on the erg competing against other racers in real-time.

In addition to the racing options, the regatta is offering virtual programming to complement the competition including a concert, a diversity and inclusion panel with Arshay Cooper, and a virtual “very” happy hour.

“We have been especially fortunate that the community came out to support us including city officials, rowers young and old, former Olympians, coaches, and friends. It is truly amazing what we can all accomplish when we work together.”

For a full schedule of events and the regatta program click here.

PHOTOS BY ED MORAN

With Covid restrictions eased in Philadelphia, team boats have returned to the water on the Schuylkill River. Here are some photos of crews training October 15, including Temple University women and St. Joseph’s Prep.

STAFF REPORTS
PHOTO PROVIDED BY HYDROW

Well-known comedian and actor, Kevin Hart, is joining the Hydrow staff as the Creative Director of the organization.

Hart and Hydrow made the announcement via Instagram.

“My breaking news is that I’m officially joining the Hydrow team,” Hart said in the video. “That’s right, I am now the brands’ creative director. I couldn’t be more excited.”

Hart goes on to explain that he is not only excited to be a part of the Hydrow team, but also to spread the sport of rowing itself.