The Jen Huffman Connection
![The never-defeated UW Varsity Eight (from left): Bobby Moch, Don Hume, Joe Rantz, George Hunt, Jim McMillin, Johnny WHite, Gordy Adams, Chuck Day, and Roger Morris. [Photo via University of Washington Magazine]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5f29b735eafca92acb367bb5/1703192952214-A4LQIWPQPNNNBBVJPZVH/NeverDefeatedV8_UWMagazine.jpg)
This episode was made possible in part by:
Breakwater Realty, Concept2, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.
Jen Huffman gave her son a guilt trip about learning to row. “You would make your great grandpa so happy!” And when your great grandpa is Joe Rantz, 7 seat in the University of Washington crew that took gold at the 1936 Olympics, you learn to row. Jen also took up the challenge and learned to row as an adult, quickly becoming an accomplished masters rower in the Seattle area.
Growing up, Jen didn’t know much about her Grandpa Joe’s rowing history. But late in his life, she found his memorabilia from the crew’s trip to the Berlin Olympics. Jen tells us how a scrapbook she made became the jumping off point for author Daniel James Brown’s now blockbuster book The Boys in the Boat.
Ten years after the book was published, it’s become a George Clooney-directed movie. We talk with Jen about the power of rowing and seeing her grandpa brought to life on the big screen.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro
01:49 - Team huddle: Jen’s rowing bio
02:13 - Jen’s rowing week rated a 6, and included a “sushi race” in Lake Union in Seattle, WA
05:33 - Hot Seat Q&A
08:34 - Getting to know grandpa Joe
13:18 - Jenn guilt-tripped her son into learning to row, then learned to row herself in 2008
18:24 - Coaching gymnastics, coaching rowing, and taking off your coach’s hat when you’re rowing
25:56 - Jen’s 2023 rowing season
28:45 - The story of The Boys in the Boat book began with a family scrapbook
34:42 - Being a part of Daniel James Brown’s writing process, and learning about Grandpa Joe chapter by chapter
39:55 - MOHAI exhibit, Joe’s “Amerika” flag, and some Husky Challenger history
43:28 - North Cascades Crew Joe Rantz Boathouse on Lake Stevens
EPISODE Mentions
EQUIPMENT
Husky Challenger
Husky Clipper
MEDIA
The Boys in the Boat (book)
The Boys in the Boat (movie)
Under a Flaming Sky
REGATTAS & EVENTS
Head of the Charles
Head of the Lake
Windermere Cup / Opening Day
Summer Extravaganza Regatta
Tail of the Lake
This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Tara Morgan and Rachel Freedman. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.