steady state podcast

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Steady State Podcast reframes the popular, yet limited narrative about rowing culture. We celebrate the expansive array of rowers, coaches, and coxswains in a podcast designed to savor real-life experience from launch to cox seat at every level. 

Perspective: One Coach’s Lifesaving Efforts
coaching, safety, training Rachel Freedman coaching, safety, training Rachel Freedman

Perspective: One Coach’s Lifesaving Efforts

Damion Winship had only been coaching for the Ancient Mariners Rowing Club for a short while the morning his coaching life changed. A masters rower new to his program had a heart attack on the water. Hear how Damion worked through his emergency checklist, how his CPR training kicked in, and how the crew worked together to try to save a life. 

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Giving and Getting Support: Burnham Boat Slings’ Peter Kermond
training, safety, culture, business Rachel Freedman training, safety, culture, business Rachel Freedman

Giving and Getting Support: Burnham Boat Slings’ Peter Kermond

Peter Kermond has been the face and voice of Burnham Boat Slings since purchasing the business in 1999. When he's not in the shop, or out rowing, he is probably manning a Burnham booth at a regatta. That’s where we met him – at Head of the Charles – in 2022, just a month after he survived a widow maker heart attack. Peter and his wife Carin Reynolds are both successful national team and masters rowers and high school coaches. They are a testament to teamwork, as they navigated Peter’s health emergency and rehabilitation, and his return to racing.

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How to Thrive: Lessons from ZLAC, the World's Oldest Women's Rowing Club
training, safety, culture Rachel Freedman training, safety, culture Rachel Freedman

How to Thrive: Lessons from ZLAC, the World's Oldest Women's Rowing Club

Established in 1892, ZLAC's unique structure allows for both competitive and social memberships. You don't have to row. New members are added to generational Crews to bolster cross-program and boathouse interaction and provide personal connections to members in a similar age range for support. As far as we know, ZLAC is unique in this offering. Be prepared to take notes and consider what more your club could do to help build and sustain community.

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Sue and John Hooten's Mutual Admiration Society
training, safety, culture Rachel Freedman training, safety, culture Rachel Freedman

Sue and John Hooten's Mutual Admiration Society

A member of the first U.S. women’s Olympic team and a longtime masters rower, Sue Hooten has a lifetime of rowing memories. She learned to row in California in the early 1970s, really appreciated the boathouse sock box in Philadelphia, and has raced around the world. In March 2018, her husband, former National Team and Vesper Boat Club coach John Hooten, had a medical emergency on the water while training in his 1x. He was out with his training partner, without a coach, and – like most rowers – was not wearing a PFD.

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For One Heart Attack Survivor, the Beat Goes On
training, safety, culture, racing Rachel Freedman training, safety, culture, racing Rachel Freedman

For One Heart Attack Survivor, the Beat Goes On

HEART EMERGENCY SERIES: PART 1 - David Setter and his wife were pushing through a tough gym workout when suddenly he didn’t feel well. He describes his heart attack that days as “feeling like the 1500m mark of a 2k,” despite a massive blockage that could have killed him. They tell us about remaining calm in the moment, motivation in rehab, and learning to find more joy in rowing.

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[S3] Ep. 16 - UPDATE: Tom Rooks, USRowing Health and Well-Being Associate
culture, clubs, safety, coaching, racing Rachel Freedman culture, clubs, safety, coaching, racing Rachel Freedman

[S3] Ep. 16 - UPDATE: Tom Rooks, USRowing Health and Well-Being Associate

This wide-ranging conversation with Coach Tom Rooks is funny and philosophical. Learn about creating positive team culture, mentoring new coaches, the importance of vulnerability, handling anxiety, preparing for emergencies, and hear how the 2k erg test has become Tom’s measuring stick for all life’s challenges.

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[S3] Ep. 11 - Susan Kinne: A Meditation on Boats
coaching, gear, racing, safety, training, clubs Rachel Freedman coaching, gear, racing, safety, training, clubs Rachel Freedman

[S3] Ep. 11 - Susan Kinne: A Meditation on Boats

When Susan Kinne cracked the bottom of a wooden hull, she never could have guessed that nearly 25 years later she’d be a master craftsman handling boat repairs of all sizes at Lake Washington Rowing Club. Just north of 70 years old, Susan handles everything from setting pitch to building Frankenstein 3x boats, is a powerhouse with tools and in a scull, and is a well of information about Pocock Racing Shells.

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[S2] Ep. 16 - Coach Tom Rooks on Vulnerability, Resiliency, and Saving Lives
culture, clubs, safety, coaching, racing Rachel Freedman culture, clubs, safety, coaching, racing Rachel Freedman

[S2] Ep. 16 - Coach Tom Rooks on Vulnerability, Resiliency, and Saving Lives

On [S2] Ep 16 of Steady State Podcast, hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan are joined by Tom Rooks, Williamsburg Boat Club Head Coach. This episode buzzes with authenticity as Tom shares his "fun first" mantra and how he prepares his juniors athletes to be better humans beyond the boathouse. We get philosophical about saving lives, being well-rounded, and finding your calling. We also slide into tangents about Dave Grohl, ultimate frisbee, and vikings.

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Steady State Podcast reframes the popular, yet limited narrative about rowing culture. We celebrate the expansive array of rowers, coaches, and coxswains in a podcast designed to savor real-life experience from launch to cox seat at every level. 

Steady State Network Patrons have episode access before the general public.