Upcoming Events and a Strong Fundraiser
Head of the Charles, “The Conference,” and Brick City Rowing winter training
We just wrapped up the 2023 sculling camp season at Craftsbury! I have two away-from-home events coming up this fall/winter. I’ll have “Rowing Stronger” print books with me at both. Please read on for details, and keep going for a fundraiser to help build strong rowers in the Newark, NJ, Brick City Rowing program.
Head of the Charles
I’ll be staffing the Craftsbury booth for most of the October 20-22 weekend. We’ll be in the non-profit area near the finish line, by Herter Park on the Boston side of the river.
The Conference for Rowing Coaches
Join us December 8-10 in Saratoga Springs, NY. This is organized by the coaches behind the former Joy of Sculling Conference, and I’m excited to be part of it. Check out the details, speaker lineup, and register here. There is a discount until November 15th, and also limited registration for each of the workshops, so jump on it. I’m not aware of any virtual participation options. I’ll update in a future post if I hear of anything, and I’ll at least send out my slides after the event.
I’m presenting twice on Saturday the 9th. My first session will be on the basic fundamentals that any rower of any level can do in their strength training to improve performance, reduce risk of injury, and enjoy additional benefits of strength training beyond rowing. In my second session, we’ll go beyond the basics into details of more advanced exercise selection, specific strength training methods, and program design strategies for the competitive rower with a few years of strength training experience. This is essentially the behind-the-scenes of what I’ve been doing for the last year with the Craftsbury Green Racing Project rowers.
Fundraiser for Brick City Rowing winter training
Coach Craig White has brought a group of junior rowers from his non-profit Brick City Rowing program in Newark, NJ, to Craftsbury camp for the last three years. I love working with Craig, and the rowers are a joy to coach. They have around 80 rowers in their program now, 60 young men and 20 young women, up from 8 rowers when Craig started the program at St. Benedict’s Prep in 2011. They don’t yet have a boathouse (they run 4 miles to the next county to access their boats and get on the river), and they’ve outgrown the facility access they’ve had access to in the past, so we’re raising money for them to have dedicated space and time slots at the local Newark YMCA.
I am helping design their training plan and providing resources to their coaches to instruct it and help the rowers get the most out of it. They just need somewhere to be able to use it! As it so often does, this just starts with access and opportunity, which means money to get in the door and even be able to do the work. The YMCA has enough gym space for all of their ergs, a pool and other indoor cross-training opportunities, and of course has the space and equipment for strength training. Craig’s policy is to be there for anyone who wants to be there and work hard. They train daily, and I know they will make the most of any opportunity they get.
They post a lot of pictures and updates on their Instagram, and you can read more about BCR and the program history and leadership on their website, including this great 13-minute video featuring rowers, their parents, BCR alumni, Craig, and other coaches and BCR supporters.
Please go to the “Winter Training 2023” page to make your tax-deductible donation. Six months of facility access for the 80 rowers will cost around $12,000, and we’re trying to get there this month so they can start by November and know that they have it until the spring. Send me an email or comment below when you’ve donated any amount, and I’ll enter your name in a drawing for a print “Rowing Stronger” book and consultation time with me in November, as my thanks to you for helping support these rowers. Let’s get them out there strong in the spring!
So inspiring to learn about Brick City. Thanks for the link.
Happy to make a donation