New Zealand Olympic gold medalist Eric Murray is known for dominating in the men’s pair with partner Hamish Bond. From humble beginnings as an awkward teenage athlete, Eric quickly discovered that being 6’5” translated into impressive erg splits. Coaches noticed too, and it was a one way ticket to the national team, World Rowing Championships, and the Olympics.

Like many women who grew up before Title IX, Kathy Frederick spent her young life studying ballet. When, at 42, she learned to row it felt like dancing with partners and she was immediately hooked. Just a few years later in 1993, the loss of a dear friend prompted Kathy to host a fundraising event on the Willamette River. From those modest beginnings Row for the Cure was born.

Concept2 oars and indoor rowing machines are nearly synonymous with rowing today. But it all started in the early 1970s with brothers Dick and Pete Dreissigacker messing around with carbon fiber and fiberglass in a kitchen hoping to develop a better oar - their “secret weapon” for finding more speed on the water.

A wide-ranging chat with EBRC President Denise Martini, DEI Committee co-chair Carla Jourdan, and Erin Cafaro, new Head Coach of Oakland Tech Men’s Varsity program. We dive into: Growing a rowing club to meet the needs of – and look like – the community; moving beyond standard certs for coaching education; and boycotting USRowing Masters Nationals and hosting Boats Without Barriers regatta as an alternative.

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.

From walk-on at the University of Pennsylvania to gold in the LM2x at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Jasper Liu is an elite-level lightweight rower who’s worked hard on and of the water to learn about all aspects of our sport. With his website - www.rowingdojo.com - he’s sharing the best and most useful information that he’s picked up from some of the best coaches in the country.

This special bonus episode was recorded live at Deer Apple Farm on Vashon Island, WA. After a long day – and a couple of local hard ciders – we started swapping rowing stories. So of course, we recorded it.

From Fairmount Park rowing camp, to team captain at La Salle, to coach at BLJ Community Rowing – you could definitely call Marqus Brown a Philly guy. But the chance to coach for the prestigious University of Washington Huskies took Marqus out to Seattle, where he’s digging into the details to help his motivated crews move boats even faster.

Zoe Vais is the George Pocock Rowing Center’s Middle School Programs Specialist. She’s also a coach for GPRF’s Camp Lucy – a free learn-to-row camp for girls, inclusive of non-binary, trans, and gender non-conforming youth. From being a walk-on at the University of Washington, to leaving a mark on Seattle rowing, Zoe offers a thoughtful look at slowly falling in love with the sport and the important role coaches play in young rowers’ lives.