Sculling

S6E2: Blind Sculler Kate Lindgren Can See What's Possible

When Kate Lindgren and award-winning coach Peter Forrest met at Peterborough City Rowing Club, it came with more than a few firsts for these two Brits. While they were both self-proclaimed “late onset rowers" – learning to row later in life – neither could have expected the partnership and bond they’ve forged.
Inspired by Kate, whose blindness doesn’t even come close to impeding her rowing in a single, together they are the brains and brawn behind Row the Rhythm, a ground-breaking initiative designed specifically for visually impaired rowers across England.
 
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro 01:55 - The Huddle04:35 - Rowing Week: 1-1005:45 - A brief history of PCRC’s purpose-built rowing lake07:45 - The Hot Seat Q&A09:16 - Rowing origin stories: Pete needed a knee-friendly sport; walking and cycling no longer “cut the mustard” for Kate13:15 - Kate’s retinitis pigmentosa and learning to feel the stroke 17:00 - Mind mapping your stroke22:35 - Developing the logistics, trust, and respect for a successful blind rower/coach partnership 27:17 - Pete’s philosophy: coach the rower in front of you30:43 - Row the Rhythm, with support from Love Rowing, is bringing rowing to visually impaired athletes across England39:41 - Pete:  British Rowing Inclusive Coach of the Year 2024 40:48 - Advice to clubs on integrating visually impaired athletes 43:36 - Describing the perfect stroke44:24 - Steady State Network news and notes
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To see photos of Kate and Pete, and get links to the people, clubs, and organizations mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.
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S5E20: Finding a Deeper Connection to the Water with Coastal Rowing

Once upon a time, way back in 2020, we thought of rowing in a very particular way: flat water, racing shells, and seeking the perfect stroke. As coastal rowing and beach sprints has gained some traction here in the U.S., we’ve broadened our understanding and definition of rowing to bring these disciplines into the conversation, too. 
On balance, coastal has probably tipped the scales of our conversation in 2024 as we trained for and participated in Race Around the Rock a coastal circumnavigation of Salt Spring Island in British Columbia. If you’re a tried and true flat water rower, thanks for exploring these new ideas about rowing right along with us!
In case you missed it, the 2024 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals were held September 13-15 in Genoa, Italy and Team USA brought home 3 Gold and 1 Silver medal.
Joining us to talk about the rise of coastal rowing and beach sprints are Team USA head coach Marc Oria, and rower Pearl Outlaw, a member of the first ever pararowing women’s quad.
QUICK LOOK
02:10 - The Huddle03:15 - Welcome 05:18 - Rowing Week 1-1007:32 - The Hot Seat Q&A15:54 - A degenerative eye disease impacted Pearl’s sight; learning to row offered her an opportunity to participate in a sport 19:47 - Marc learned to row at age 12 in Spain, and ate humble pie at his first regatta22:13 - Marc’s coaching career began with making sure little kids had fun, and he maintains that philosophy today28:11 - A brief introduction to coastal endurance and beach sprints31:43 - Pearl’s transition from flat water national team to coastal rowing33:45 - Adaptive technology for vision impaired athletes38:58 - Letting go of perfection and embracing chaos40:49 - Next Level Rowing’s role in developing coastal and beach sprint athletes44:33 - The first pararowing women’s quad
45:54 - Opportunities to get involved in coastal are sparse, but growing, in the U.S.47:29 - Pearl’s pursuit of being a dual sport athlete, with success in nordic skiing and biathlon52:15 - Pearl and Marc’s  training, racing, and coaching goals for 202554:19 - Getting the ball rolling for Youth Olympic Games 2026, and LA Olympics 202857:43 - Outro
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To see photos of the Marc and Pearl, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.
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Follow us on FB and IG at @steadystatenetwork

S5E19: Allies with Oars Goes Coastal at Race Around The Rock

After six months of training, Steady State Network’s Allies with Oars’ first coastal – and first international – race is a wrap! Two Allies With Oars mixed 4x+ crews spent the better part of Aug. 25, 2024 circumnavigating an 88k course around Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, for Race Around the Rock, hosted by Salt Spring Island Rowing Club. We got a little bit of everything: flat water, rolling waves, eddies, boat wakes, seals, massive jellyfish, excitement at the start line, confidence, pain cave suffering, and elation at the finish line.
Post-race, and with beverages in hand, the team sat down together to relive some highlights (and low lights) and share what made the experience so meaningful.
Thanks to all our family and friends for volunteering to lend a hand throughout race weekend. We couldn’t have made it around this rock without you.
Thanks to our race sponsors: JL Racing, Live2Row Studios, and Racing Hands.
 
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode Lead-In and Welcome
02:02 - Six months of training with Live2Row Studios
05:20 - Favorite part of the race
08:53 - Challenges of the race
14:45 - Imposter syndrome and getting hooked
16:36 - Race day success was only possible with a lot of help from teammates, friends, and family
20:55 - Race day firsts
22:25 - About the Allies with Oars initiative
26:25 - ”Thank yous”
28:46 - What’s up next for Allies?
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To see photos of the Allies with Oars crew, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Live2Row Studios, Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.
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Follow us on FB and IG at @steadystatenetwork

S5E13 - Chiro Joe: Back Pain and Injury Prevention

 We challenge our listeners to "Ask us Anything." When a very specific question came in about back pain, we didn't feel like we 100% had the authority to answer it. So show co-host Rachel Freedman called up her chiropractor – and former DC Strokes Rowing Club member – Dr. Joe Henderson to get his insights.
Together we delve into causes of rowers' back pain, injury prevention, managing expectations, stretching, and considering other pain points like forearms and hip flexors.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode lead-in
00:54 - Co-hosts Tara Morgan and Rachel Freedman talk about their own back pain and experiences with chiropractors
07:35 - Dr. Joe Henderson on managing expectations when working to prevent injury
08:51 - Listener question: "I experience back pain when sweeping but not sculling..."
12:59 - Rachel’s journey to chiro care
15:29 - Mitigating pain through stretching and mobility
20:50 - Take time off and see a doctor
22:40 - Steady State Network events and initiatives
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To see photos of Dr. Joe Henderson, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Live2Row Studios, Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.

S5E10 - Rethinking Flying Solo: Bill Byrd Has a Change of Heart

This is the fifth and final episode in a series on heart attacks and emergency preparedness. In this series you’ll hear first hand accounts from rowers who survived heart attacks, teammates and coaches who witnessed these events, and even from widows who reflect on warning signs and “what ifs.”
On this episode:Bill Byrd has been rowing for nearly six decades and was a founding member of Willamette Rowing Club in Portland Oregon. One morning in 2018, he suffered a heart attack while training in his single. This is a story about living well, being prepared, the power of having all hands on deck, and survival.
We couldn’t tell Bill’s story without his ex-wife and longtime rowing partner, Jann Byrd, who was also on the water that morning and played a pivotal role in saving his life. 
Stay tuned at the end for safety tips from US Rowing Director of Safeguarding Tom Rooks and be sure to share the whole series with your boathouse safety committee and coaches.
Other episodes in this series:Perspective: One Coach’s Lifesaving Efforts
Giving and Getting Support: Burnham Boat Slings’ Peter Kermond
Sue and John Hooten’s Mutual Admiration Society
For One Heart Attack Survivor, the Beat Goes On
 
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode lead-in02:55 - Rowing week on a scale of 1-1004:13 - Hot Seat Q&A06:31 - Rowing on the Willamette07:45 - Bill wanted to play football at UW but instead got recruited to row11:32 - Jann first got in the coxswain seat for mens boats at the Naval Academy14:25 - Bill’s heart attack story, from slipping into the water, to CPR and EMS response22:48 - Ripple effects on the club and teammates25:30 - The diagnosis, rehab, recovery, and return to racing30:10 - Safety precautions: logbook, PFD, cell phone, heart rate monitor33:51 - What a life of rowing has given Bill and Jann36:06 - The perfect stroke38:47 - 2024 season40:30 - How racing changes as you age up through the categories42:50 - Top Tips from Tom Rooks, USRowing Director of Safeguarding47:30 - SSN events and initiatives
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To see photos of Bill and Jann, and get links to the people, clubs, events, and resources mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Live2Row Studios, Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.

S5E8 - Bonnie Garmus: Life Lessons in Balance

Bonnie Garmus was a competitive masters rower for years before an offhand comment during a business meeting prompted her to begin writing her debut novel, "Lessons in Chemistry," which has been adapted into an Apple TV+ series.
Everyone wants to talk with Bonnie about the book’s main character, Elizabeth Zott, but we turned the table to ask Bonnie about the role rowing plays in her life – and her book – which has been on The New York Times bestseller list for nearly 100 weeks.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode lead-in and intro
03:04 - The Huddle: Get to know Bonnie Garmus
03:35 - Rowing Week: erging
05:15 - Meeting the Queen 
07:26 - Hot Seat Q&A
08:38 - Cold open water swimming as a kid with her Dad
11:42 - Learning to row at Green Lake Rowing Club in Seattle
15:08 - Feeling a boat pick up and go for the first time
17:34 - Tara explains “the rower life cycle”
19:33 - How rowing effected Bonnie’s life
22:50 - Rowing as a character in "Lessons in Chemistry"
22:46 - Rowing as a hardship for Elizabeth to handle 
29:14 - Was any of the book’s rowing based on Bonnie’s personal experience?
30:11 - What Bonnie really thinks about the Apple TV+ adaptation of "Lessons in Chemistry"
32:34 - Learning to never quit
33:19 - About that other book adapted for screen: "Boys in the Boat"
39:01 - SSN events and initiatives
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To see photos of Bonnie, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Live2Row Studios, Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.

E5S7 - Giving and Getting Support: Burnham Boat Sling's Peter Kermond

This is the third episode in a series on heart attacks and emergency preparedness. In this multi-part series you’ll hear first hand accounts from rowers who survived heart attacks, teammates and coaches who witnessed these events, and even from widows who reflect on warning signs and “what ifs.”
On this episode: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 widowmaker heart attack. Peter and his wife Carin Reynolds are both successful national team members, masters rowers, and high school coaches. They are also a testament to teamwork, as they navigated Peter’s health emergency and rehabilitation, and his return to racing.
Other episodes in this series:
Sue and John Hooten’s Mutual Admiration Society
For One Heart Attack Survivor, the Beat Goes On
 
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode lead-in02:20 - The Huddle: Get to know Peter and Carin04:40 - Rowing Week: erg and tank workouts06:12 - Hot Seat Q&A10:59 - Peter got hooked on rowing in high school training, traveling, and racing in the summer with Belmont Rowing Club13:22 - Carin’s college sophomore experience with “WRECK” rowing14:10 - Peter and Carin met in 1984 as members of the US  LTWT National Team, reconnected years later as coaches in New Hampshire15:59 - The day in 2022 when Peter had a widowmaker heart attack24:12 - Family history, no warning25:45 - Rehab, getting back in the boat, and feeling better than before the heart attack31:08 - Support from the rowing community32:32 - Bringing awareness to friends and rowers about heart health35:59 - Finding perfect strokes on the Connecticut River in Hanover, NH39:47 - Burnham coastal products, Blackburn Challenge, and Race Around the Rock47:10 - Tom’s Tips49:10 - SSN events and initiatives
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To see photos of Peter and Carin, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, Live2Row, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.
 

S5E6 - How to Thrive: Lessons from ZLAC, the World's Oldest Women's Rowing Club

As part of our club spotlight series and in the lead-up to San Diego Crew Classic, we head to California to get to know ZLAC, the oldest women’s rowing club in the world.
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.
Through the years, ZLAC programs have produced U.S. National Team members, Olympians, top college rowers, regional racers, and thousands of recreational rowers. The heart of ZLAC’s mission is to support all women and girls through the sport of rowing. 
We're joined by ZLAC's Masters Head Coach Chris Shannon, Athletic Chair Tanya Ferguson, and recent LTR grad Lee Copson.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Episode lead-in02:17 - The Huddle: Get to know Chris, Tanya, and Lee02:54 - Rowing Week05:39 - Hot Seat Q&A09:56 - Chris got just one sculling lesson, then spent months flipping before being invited to a sweep team14:49 - Lee was a social member since high school, and learned to row when she became an empty nester17:38 - Tanya came to rowing after a soccer injury20:52 - A brief look at ZLAC's 130+ year history23:18 - ZLAC’s generational social crews and the bonds they help create among members27:06 - Understanding the inner workings that make ZLAC so special 27:55 - Joining, membership, and programs30:18 - Lee describes San Diego Bay30:59 - ZLAC’s decades-long involvement with San Diego Crew Classic35:14 - Chris, Tanya, and Lee tell us what's ahead in 202441:39 - ZLAC’s Legacy
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To see photos of Chris, Tanya, Lee, and ZLAC founders, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, Live2Row, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.
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This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. 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.
 

S4E23 - The Jen Huffman Connection

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.
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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
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To see photos of Jen, Joe, and 1936 UW memorabilia, and to get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, Concept2, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.

S4E22: 2023 Year in Review

In this special episode, co-hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan take a look back at 2023. Go behind the scenes of Steady State Podcast to learn more about Rachel and Tara's rowing careers, listen to clips from some of their favorite season 4 episodes, consider their big takeaways from interviews with nearly 40 guests in the past 12 months, and get a peak at what's to come in Season 5 in 2024.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro / a reflection on the first 4 seasons of Steady State Podcast
03:14 - Get to know co-hosts Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan
08:57 - On a scale of 1-10 ... rating our rowing year
13:28 - Hot Seat Q&A
24:05 - The building blocks of a podcast: awesome audience, supportive Patrons, marketing
26:25 - Favorite moments of 2023: gender identity policy series, Gevvie Stone, Lindsay Dare Shoop, Next Level Rowing, Indianapolis Rowing Club spotlight, Unity Boat Club's Excellence in Black Rowing event
45:05 - Upping our game as a media outlet at USRowing Masters Nationals and Head of the Charles
47:41 - Takeaways: it's time to take beach sprints and coastal rowing seriously; incorporating non-binary athletes into racing is complicated
53:05 - Partnerships
54:29 - Wrapping up Season 4 with Jennifer Huffman, masters rower and granddaughter of Boys in the Boat central character Joe Rantz.
56:07 - Season 5 sneak peek: Olympic coxswain Mary Whipple, on water emergencies and safety, keeping junior athletes safe, indoor world record holder Elizabeth Gilmore, and Lessons in Chemistry author Bonnie Garmus.
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To see photos of Rachel and Tara, 2023 podcast guests, and get links to the people, clubs, policies, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, Concept2, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.

S4E16 - Challenging the Binary: Making a New Lane in Rowing

This is the final episode in a four-part special series on gender identity policies in rowing.
Since December 2022, World Athletics, World Rowing, USRowing and other national governing bodies, have announced updated gender identity policies. In response, voices across the rowing community have stood up for "fairness for women" and alternatively "inclusion for marginalized athletes." We're taking a closer look.
Dr. David Scherzer learned to row with DC Strokes Rowing Club, one of just a handful of dedicated, independent LGBTQ+ rowing clubs in the world. But for many years, even DC Strokes wasn’t able to provide answers to David about how they could participate and race as a non-binary athlete.
And when Bobbi Kizer, PhD inquired about racing at Head of the Lake as a transgender athlete, the organizing committee worked with them to create an exhibition “mixed” category for all genders.
But in general, the current USRowing gender inclusion policy leaves transgender, non-binary, and other gender nonconforming rowers with very few opportunities to race.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Rachel and Tara re-introduce the podcast’s Gender Identity Policies series05:40 - Welcome and The Huddle08:05 - David and Bobbi’s rowing week10:12 - Hot Seat Q&A12:45 - Rowing origin stories: Bobbi, then David21:02 - Club community agreements and DEI committees25:09 - Intro to World Rowing and USRowing gender identity policies26:55 - Laying the groundwork: sex, gender, and gender identity29:45 - Bobbi’s experiences as a trans rower at SRRA, Head of the Lake, and ZLAC sweep camp37:50 - David’s surprising experiences as a non-binary rower in an LGBT+ club40:32 - What current USRowing open and mixed racing opportunities mean for non-binary and trans rowers46:32 - ICONS petition and “fairness for females”53:21 - As a new member of USRowing’s DEI committee, David is ambivalent56:08 - David and Rachel’s perspective on DC Strokes Rowing Club and the challenge of retaining gender non-conforming rowers1:01:35 - How Bobbi’s combining their psychiatry practice with the sport through rowing group therapy 1:06:00 - Sign off
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To see photos of Bobbi and David, and to get links to the people, clubs, policies, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Barb, Breakwater Realty, Concept2, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.

S4E15 - Indianapolis Rowing Center: From LTR to National Championships

Start your engines! Get to know Indianapolis Rowing Center, host of the 2023 USRowing Masters National Championships. We talk with IRC board President Janet Francis, Masters Head Coach Zach Christopher, and recent LTR grad Lisa Stickley. Developed in the 1980s, the race course at Eagle Creek remains one of the country’s premiere venues, host to PanAm Games, World Rowing Championships, NCAA Championships, and a lot more. Get an inside scoop on Vendors Village, course strategy, and IRC, Indy’s only rowing club.
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QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Intro/Lead-in02:35 - Welcome and The Huddle05:06 - Rowing week and local tornado07:00 - Hot Seat Q&A12:13 - Rowing origin stories: Zach, Lisa, then Janet17:50 - Rowing into our 80s20:19 - Janet’s role as IRC president, current challenges and plans/ initiatives 24:13 - A local’s perspective on Eagle Creek27:25 - IRC is the only rowing center in Indy, and offers programs for all ages30:41 - Volunteering for Masters Nats31:11 - Recruiting new members33:18 - Rowers sure do love talking about rowing…36:46 - the development of IRC at Eagle Creek for a premiere rowing venue39:55 - committees and community partnerships make big events possible41:37 - Vendor village, the beach where there shall be no swimming, beer garden, and coxswain tosses are approved.43:41 - First Masters Nationals experiences48:51 - IRC Course trade secrets50:44 - Sign off
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To see photos of Janet, Zach, and Lisa, and to get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by RowSource, Barb, EB5 Investors, Concept2, and our Patrons.

S4E12 - Letting Go of Perfection: Coastal Rowing

A small but growing group of flat water rowers are making a transition to coastal rowing. In 2021, USRowing boated its first-ever Beach Sprints National team and in 2022 Next Level Rowing appeared on the scene, training high performance rowers who have gone on to win medals at domestic and international coastal regattas.
The U.S. is just taking on this discipline, which has been raced for generations in Europe. We reached out to coastal rowing rising stars Christopher Bak and Christine Cavallo, and their coach Ben Booth, co-founder of Next Level Rowing. All three wax poetic about giving in to Mother Nature, working through adversity, and why coastal – like indoor rowing – is a perfect cross-training option.
 
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Podcast lead-in02:15 - Rachel and Tara banter03:12 - welcome05:25 - Team Huddle: Get to know Chris, Christine, and Ben09:25 - The Hot Seat Q&A14:09 - What’s the hook? Why they keep coming back to rowing season after season.20:30 - Ben’s coaching philosophy: teach a way of being - being present and true to yourself30:52 - Coastal, like indoor rowing, translates to flat water. Great cross training and it’s fun! Working the same sport specific muscle pattern while having a completely different neurological experience35:08 - Ben’s involvement in USRowing’s early move into coastal38:05 - Intro to coastal rowing disciplines: beach sprint and endurance40:52 - Approach coastal with an open mind43:40 - Ben couldn’t find the coastal boat he wanted so he got into backyard design and build, which evolved into Next Boatworks, the only coastal manufacturer in the U.S.51:27 - On the coastal rowing horizon for 202354:48 - Bringing rowing to non-traditional spaces, marketing, and growing the sport58:45 - opportunities to try coastal rowing in ME and MA, and check out the boats at some USRowing events
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To see photos of Ben, Christine, and Chris, and to get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Live2Row, Barb, EB5 Investors, and our Patrons.
 

S3E23 - Baby on Board: Allison Mueller Balances Pregnancy and Racing in 2022

Allison Mueller is many things including: a highly competitive masters rower. A successful business owner. Former communications director for USRowing. Associate Faculty at Columbia University School of Professional Studies. We’ve followed her career trajectory for years, and her most recent marketing campaign has really got us enamored: Allison announced that she and her husband are expecting a baby early in the new year. She wrapped up the 2022 season having rowed seven regattas and 15 races, 14 of them with her +1.
 
Categories: business, coaching, coxing, gear
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TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Podcast intro02:07 - Episode lead-in03:50 - A HOCR unlike any before: five months pregnant09:10 - Camaraderie of team boats in the Basin at the Charles11:04 - Rapid Fire Q&A13:10 - Wrapping up 2022 at Head of the Schuylkill and contemplating modifications for winter erging15:15 - When your spouse doesn’t row … talking about things besides rowing18:20 - Life-changer: getting recruited to row at the University of Iowa25:00 - Moving to Princeton, NJ to work at USRowing, and a debate about Carnegie Lake26:55 - Venue media manager at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics30:05 - Witnessing raw Olympic elation and defeat up close33:20 - What’s ahead? Cheering on friends from the shore35:28 - Coming up next on Steady State Podcast: Isaiah Harrison
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To see photos of Allison, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes at www.steadystatenetwork.com/podcast/s3ep23-allison-mueller
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This episode is made possible in part by the Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Lake Washington Rowing Club, and our Patrons.
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This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Tara Morgan and Rachel Freedman. Tara provides additional audio engineering, and Rachel manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by the Free Harmonic Orchestra.

S3E20 - Crikey! Eric Murray on Rowing.

New Zealand Olympic gold medalist Eric Murray is known for dominating in the men’s pair with partner Hamish Bond. We know. You might be saying: “An Olympian? I thought you were all about celebrating the everyday rower!” We are. And we always will be. But we have to admit that when Eric reached out and asked to be on the podcast, we had a total fan moment. There was no doubt we’d invite him for a chat.
From humble beginnings as an awkward teenage athlete, Eric quickly discovered that being 6’5” translated into impressive erg splits. Coaches noticed too, and he soon found himself on the podium at U16 and U17 events. From there, it was a one way ticket to the national team, World Rowing Championships, and the Olympics. Between 2007 and 2015, a commitment to be the very best brought Eric four indoor rowing world records, eight World Rowing Championships, and two Olympic gold medals.
Retired from flat water rowing since 2017, Eric is keeping himself very busy working with Concept2, the Asensei rowing app, and is a member of the World Rowing Indoor Rowing Commission. And if that wasn’t enough, he recently took a turn as a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.
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Just a heads up: Eric does swear a bit in this episode ...
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To see photos of Eric Murray, and to get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
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This episode is made possible in part by the Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Lake Washington Rowing Club, and our Patrons.
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Steady State Podcast is a production of Steady State Network.
This episode was written, produced, and edited by Tara Morgan and Rachel Freedman. Rachel also manages our website and social media.
Our theme music is by the Free Harmonic Orchestra.

S3E10 - Rock City Rowing Builds Community in Arkansas

Rock City Rowing members will tell you that Arkansas is sorely underrated. Located on a beautiful stretch of water in Little Rock, RCR is home to one of just two boathouses in the entire state offering programs for masters and juniors. RCR Head Coach Ted Riedeburg and three masters rowers tell us about bringing rowing back to Little Rock after a long hiatus, and how rowing changed their lives.
GUESTSTed Riedeburg, Head CoachLeslie Cain, novice masters rowerAnne McCormick, masters rowerJulia Watkins, masters rower
TIME STAMPS00:00 Introduction01:45 Rapid Fire Q&A03:58 Rowing Week on a scale of 1-1004:50 Get to know Ted, Julia, Anne, Leslie12:13 Rowing in Little Rock is beautiful and underrated14:00 RCR is one of just two clubs in Arkansas offering juniors and masters16:24 Developing a club by educating the community about rowing18:20 Who’s rowing at RCR and what makes it special?20:35 Leslie, a novice, gives her pitch about why people should row25:00 Anne’s hard worked paid off at Nationals 2021; and the club looks ahead to racing in 202232:21 RCR has big ideas for a potential new multi-purpose boathouse to help connect with the community38:13 RCR seeks to host more juniors events on the Little Maumel River
To see photos of Rock City Rowing, along with links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.
This episode was made possible in part by our Patrons and Concept2.
 

S3E9 - Isaac Kenyon: Seeking Connection, Finding Purpose

Isaac Kenyon just set his third ultra-distance world record on the Concept2 indoor rower. This follows on the heels of other huge achievements, like rowing the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, and swimming the English Channel. We dive into the philosophy and motivation that helped him break free of the lure of screen time, and the coping mechanisms necessary to take on audacious challenges. Through it all, Isaac's advocated for the environment and Autism awareness.
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Introduction
01:53 - Rapid Fire Q&A
04:04 - Rowing Week: Scale of 0-10 
04:54 - World record for C2 tandem longest continual row (2 person) Male 20-29 LTWT to raise awareness of Autism
06:40 - Tandem partner Jordan Williams: From novice to world record holder in 5 months. Training, self-care, technique triggers
11:24 - Finding motivation, getting out of dark places, the importance of a support network, coping mechanisms
17:44 - An invitation to row the Atlantic was Isaac's introduction to rowing
22:25 - The tipping point from “outdoorsy guy” to seeking audacious challenges, exploring, and honing new skills
24:35 - The way into adventuring: start small
26:55 - 2018 Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge: training, nutrition and communications, losing sight of shore, and swimming with whales
36:55 - 2019 Ted Talk: Seeking a balance between outdoor time and screen time; how the Atlantic row changed his relationship with technology
39:45 - Regulating brain chemicals, substituting outdoor time for technology
45:24 - Being a part of the first digital generation, FOMO, and never seeing people again
50:50 - Up next: Setting a speed record for swimming the 7 biggest seas in one year
53:25 - Flying the flag for the outdoor time in exchange for screen time
58:15 - Letterboxing
See the full show notes at www.steadystatenetwork.com/podcast

S3E7 - Lisa Lowe: Building Powerhouse Rowers

The aches of a teenage growth-spurt, years of collegiate and high performance training and racing, and injuries sustained in an accident, all inform Lisa Lowe’s personal and professional attitudes and opinions about self-care.
Now a PR3 rower and physical therapist in Boston, Lisa’s goal is to cultivate a culture within rowing where we support each other without breaking each other. GUESTSLisa Lowe, DPTwww.powerhousephysio.com
IG: @lisalowe.dpt

S3E6 - Embracing Chaos: Coastal Rowing in New Orleans

Ask most any rower about the perfect rowing conditions and they’ll wax poetic about  glassy calm water and zero wind, when a blade can quietly drop into the water at the catch, release clean, and the boat glides across the surface undisturbed.
But ask a coastal rower about great conditions and the answer will be completely different. It’ll involve navigating waves, executing turns around buoys, and end with a sprinting dive to the finish line on the beach.
We invited John Huppi, Kats Siemens, and Will Kuckro from New Orleans Rowing Club to tell us about The Big Easy – a city with a rowing history that stretches back nearly 200 years – and their vision for the future of coastal rowing in the Gulf South. 
TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Intro and welcome
02:30 - Rapid Fire 
04:22 - Mardi Gras is more important than rowing
07:42 - Recruit by looking outside standard flat water pipeline/training/racing 
11:40 - How Will and Kate as “coastal outsiders” are contributing to NORC’s success
12:30 - With fewer flat water LTWT opportunities, smaller rowers are finding success in coastal 
13:45 - How is coastal different?
16:55 - On-water problem solving and the importance of finesse
21:24 - The thrill of mixed boats and beach sprints
21:24 - The time John was a boat handler for Norwegian Olympians
28:44 - Throw “the perfect stroke” out the window, prepare for chaos
31:30 - What makes a great coastal rowing venue?
34:35 - Hurricane Ida's impact on NORC and training
38:04 - On coaching: helping people overcome challenges
40:39 - Rowers take ownership and redefine rowing training
42:58 - To grow coastal in the Gulf South, NORC is hosting development camps and experiential opportunities, and developing an endurance race on Lake Pontchartrain
44:38 - In a tourist town, coastal touring could thrive
48:58 - Coastal bucket list locations 
52:23 - Turning coastal boats and historic stake races in New Orleans
52:45 - NORC is the only boathouse in the Louisiana with juniors and masters programs
54:40 - LA2028 Olympics: perfect for building audience engagement, race coverage
58:50 - The year ahead at NORC
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www.steadystatenetwork.com/podcast

S3E2 - Founding a Rowing Club Takes a Lot of Heart … and Spreadsheets

Rowers and coaches across the country are spotting opportunities to step up – and step outside boxes – to share their love of rowing by establishing clubs for their communities. 
This conversation brings together the founders of three clubs: Dave Harvey, Tacoma Rowing; Katie Jones, North Carolina Rowing Center, and Sue Koscielski, Sweeps & Sculls Rowing. They get honest about heart-warming surprises, dealing with red tape, the importance of partnerships and collaboration, and the hows and whys behind their decisions to start their own rowing clubs.

S2E11 - Coach Rachel Le Mieux, Martha‘s Moms

As a 5’1, 108lb freshman at Western Washington University, Rachel Le Mieux was literally picked up and placed in a coxswain seat. Thirty five years later she’s the head coach of Martha’s Moms, a competitive masters women’s team in Seattle, WA. She’s also a USRowing referee and FISA umpire.
During her years in the cox seat, coach’s launch, and chase boat, Rachel’s seen her share of sketchy situations. Today, in her role as the Chair of the USRowing safety committee, she wants to make sure that rowers, coaches, and coxswains have the knowledge and skills to stay safe around the boathouse, at practice, and during regattas.
We talk boat feel, coxing commands, flipping a four at the dock, nearly losing your lunch after a race, the rich history of rowing in Washington, and a whole lot more.