Author: Danielle Cantor

  • Visit Your Local Boat Club on Saturday, June 6, for National Learn to Row Day

    Have you ever wanted to try rowing? Do you have a teenager looking for a different type of sport or activity? Now is the best time of year to give it a try. Each year, on the first Saturday in June, rowing clubs across the country join with U.S. Rowing, a nonprofit membership organization and the national governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States, to celebrate National Learn to Row Day.

    The goal of this initiative is for rowing clubs and teams to offer beginners in their community a fun introduction to rowing, providing basic instruction on equipment, technique, and safety. As a company founded by rowers for rowers, Rowing Pad is committed to championing our sport and its many benefits. 

    Here are some of the many reasons we love rowing!

    • It’s a full-body, low-impact workout
    • It’s an excellent activity for pre-teens and teens in search of a challenge and team spirit
    • Likewise, rowing clubs are welcoming to new members of all ages
    • Rowing is a year-round sport—check out the ergometers we use indoors and during winter training
    • And it’s a wonderful connection to nature! 

    Many different types of rivers, lakes, bays, inlets, and more can be used for rowing. If you do a little research, you will likely find that a rowing club is operating somewhere not too far from your home! Rowing Pad’s home state of New Hampshire has a rich rowing heritage, with excellent high school and collegiate programs and beautiful waterways near the coast and nestled among the mountains. 

    Join National Learn to Row Day at a local rowing club near you

    Many rowing clubs here participate in National Learn to Row Day each year. Below, we’ve compiled this list of regional Learn to Row events taking place June 6, 2026. Looking to row in another location? Use U.S. Rowing’s map (featured toward the bottom of the LTR site) to find a boat club near you and check out the offerings for new rowers. 

    Don’t miss this opportunity to try something new or to share your love for rowing with someone you think might enjoy it. Happy rowing to all for the 2026 Learn to Row season.

    GREAT BAY ROWING CLUB (DOVER, NH)

    Join Great Bay Rowing Club at Jackson’s Landing in Durham, New Hampshire, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 6 for some free National Learn to Row Day programming. GBR coaches and athletes will give demonstrations and offer community members a chance to try rowing for themselves! 

    This wonderful non-profit local club, which rows on the Cocheco River, offers everything from learn-to-row summer camps and sculling classes for juniors (grades 6 through 12) and adults to summer training for college students to competitive racing for all ages and levels. It also has adaptive rowing equipment available. The positive energy at GBR will surely win you over—check out the Instagram account to catch up on their recent accomplishments, including a fourth time claiming the title of Granite State Sculling Championship Team Trophy Winners. [With our headquarters right nearby, Rowing Pad is proud to sponsor Great Bay Rowing.]

    AMOSKEAG ROWING CLUB (HOOKSETT, NH)

    Those along the northern reaches of the Merrimack River have a great rowing resource in the Amoskeag Rowing Club, which operates out of its boathouse in Hooksett. Its nice mix of rowing programs includes a youth rowing team and development team, college memberships, master’s refresher courses, plus a series of weekend coached technique clinics. 

    From 9 to 11 a.m. on June 6, you can stop by for an open house, tour of the facilities, and some instruction on rowing technique, then hop into a boat for a free on-water lesson. Who knows? You might want to sign up for one of the adult or junior learn-to-row sculling programs on the spot and find yourself participating in the annual Blue Heron Regatta come August. The club now offers discounts to residents or town employees of Hooksett, Pembroke, or Allenstown!

    CONCORD CREW (CONCORD, NH)

    To celebrate Learn to Row 2026, this nonprofit, competitive regional rowing team based on the Merrimack will be holding an open house for rowers of all ages. Concord Crew has a long tradition of teaching kids sweep oar and sculling technique, and it continues to evolve to keep up with local interest. The youth programming includes 3-4 week introductory sessions for middle school kids in grades 5-8, as well as offerings for older teens and adults—it keeps rowers busy through every season! Concord Crew Club Rowing is a newer competitive racing program aimed at young adults looking to continue their rowing careers post college or for collegiate athletes to train through their summer season. 

    Stop by on Saturday, June 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to take a tour of the Whittemore Boathouse (located at 15 Loudon Road), talk to the coaches, try out the rowing machines, and even head out on the water with some of the club’s experienced rowers and coxswains to get a feel for the sport.

    GENTLE GIANT ROWING CLUB (SOMERVILLE, MA)

    Gentle Giant Rowing Club operates out of the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, set along the Mystic River in Somerville, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. What’s the story behind the club’s name? Its title sponsor is Gentle Giant Moving Club, founded by a lifelong rower to bring the dedication and teamwork of sports to the moving industry.

    Visit this not-for-profit organization on June 6 for a view into the community spirit, fun, and camaraderie that come with belonging to a local boat club. The Learn to Row programming runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the boathouse, with land rowing on the club’s rowing machines (“ergs”) and “tanking,” which means sitting in a boat in the water against the dock and practicing the stroke process. After newbies have “tanked,” they can get out on the river in the club’s barge or in one of the hulls with experienced rowers to take their first official strokes on the Mystic. 

    If you catch the rowing bug, you can sign up for GGRC’s great learn to row sweep and scull classes, among other excellent programming for adults, youth, and partnerships with nearby high schools. Want to be part of the rowing fun, but not sure about the actual…rowing part? Perhaps you could be a coxswain, a rowing team’s “coach in the boat.” GGRC even has a Learn to Cox program!

    UPPER VALLEY ROWING FOUNDATION (HANOVER, NH)

    Upper Valley Rowing Foundation is a non-profit organization that rows out of Kendal Riverfront Park along the Connecticut River between the towns of Hanover and Lyme in New Hampshire. Its mission is to connect the surrounding community with the sport of rowing through its programming and access to its beautiful home waterway. UVRF offers a range of programs for all ages and abilities including learn to row, competitive sculling, sweep rowing, plus winter training in the Dartmouth Alumni Gym tanks and a special, free rowing community for those living with cancer. The club shares this section of the 410-mile-long Connecticut River with the Dartmouth collegiate rowing team to the south and the Hanover High School rowing team to the north, so on any given day during the season you are sure to see plenty of high-level rowing up close and personal!

    On June 6, come experience the uniquely placid waters here, where the Wilder Dam impounds the river just south of the Ledyard Bridge, creating a perfect place for rowing. Sign up for one of three hour-long sessions at Kendal park between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. to partake in the official Learn to Row Day activities. 

    Stop by any of these wonderful clubs this Saturday and give rowing a try!

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • Kicking Off 2026 with All the Erg Action

    Power through the long winter with these exciting indoor rowing events

    Why does our traditional ringing in of the new year seem to coincide with a long stretch of cold, gray, dark blah? At least that’s how it often feels in our wintery corner of New England. 

    Thankfully, the rowing community has plenty of cool indoor rowing events keyed up early in 2026 to brighten our January and help us power through to spring racing season. Take a peek at what’s coming up in the next few weeks—a little healthy anticipation is good for the soul!

    All the Indoor Erg Action!

    As a long-entrenched New England rowing company, Rowing Pad has always looked forward to the CRASH-B Sprints, a fun-spirited indoor rowing event with roots in the 1980s Charles River rowing scene. 

    Over the years, the number of well organized indoor rowing events has grown, which is such a positive development for those who love to challenge themselves on the good ol’ erg. 

    This year the CRASH-Bs World Indoor Rowing Championships will take place Saturday, February 15, at Brandeis University. Winning a hammer is a bucket list achievement for those who believe themselves to be true masters of the erg. (Register here until 2/8.)

    No matter where your home base is, we guarantee an indoor rowing event is happening somewhere nearby! Check out several of the bigger regattas listed here and find the full details for each on Regatta Central.

    EAST COAST

    The 2026 Erg Sprints – CANCELLED

    Saturday, January 31 | Alexandria, Virginia

    Join more than 1,300 rowers—ranging from student athletes and masters rowers to indoor rowers and coastal rowers—for the 40th anniversary of the Erg Sprints, which began in 1986 as a way to drum up enthusiasm for winter workouts and has grown to become the largest U.S. indoor rowing competition for all age groups. There’s even a Concept 2 Triathlon option for those looking to ratchet up the stakes! Registration ends January 22.

    Charlotte Erg Fest

    Saturday, February 7 | Charlotte, NC

    This first-year event, hosted by Charlotte Youth Rowing at Motion Fitness, is attracting plenty of attention. With erg races for middle schoolers, juniors, collegiate, masters, lightweights, flyweights, coxswains, corporate teams, and even, as the organizers say, “because we know you are out there, the Old Fat Man 500m Sprint event!” there is something for every type of indoor rower. Who can resist serious racing with a sense of humor, not to mention custom medals and trophies? Register here until 2/1/26. 

    MIDWEST

    Southside Smackdown / Tiro Cup 2026

    Saturday, February 7 | Chicago, IL

    The South Side Smackdown / Tiro Cup is an annual indoor regatta hosted by Chicago Training Center. The venue for this year is Gage Park Field House, the winter home for Chicago Training Center’s youth rowing programs. As an official US Rowing Indoor National Championship site, the event will feature 2,000m and 500m individual races in all age and gender categories, plus newly added 2,000-meter relays and 1-minute races. 

    With all the national stage excitement and CTC’s traditional competition for the Tiro Cup, originally created as a reward for the hours the junior rowers put in getting ready for the spring season, the Smackdown is sure to be an action-packed day! Register here until 1/26/26.

    WEST COAST

    NWErgomania! 

    Saturday, February 7 | Tacoma, Washington

    This popular indoor rowing event takes place at the beautiful University of Washington Tacoma YMCA Student Center, and features cool categories like the Hour of Power races, relays, and 1-minute races along with the traditional 2Ks, 5Ks, and 500-meter sprints for rowers of all ages and levels. This year NWErgomania! is an official host site for the 2026 USRowing Indoor National Championships, so participants’ times will be aggregated with those nationwide results. Registration ends February 1.

    Don’t suffer erg burnout. Add an ErgPad to your seat for ultimate comfort and enhanced form. Instant rowing revival!

    SHOP ROWING PAD’S ERGPAD LINEUP

    Concept 2 Workout Challenges

    Can’t make it to any of these live erg events? No problem! Concept 2 keeps the workout motivation strong every year with its lineup of challenges and daily workouts you can take on from home or the gym. Right now, rowers around the world are cycling their way through the January Revolutions Challenge, featuring a range of “goals” that are based on either days or hours rowed or calories burned. 

    Next up is the Valentine Challenge, from February 9 to 14, 2026, which sets a goal for participants to get a total of 14,000 meters between February 9 and midnight on Valentine’s Day. Reach the target to claim your space on the honor board and send special Valentine’s Day cards to your loved ones.

    No matter how you keep the fire burning this winter, we hope you’ll remember to make a Rowing Pad part of your training. Keep it spinning, friends!

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • The 2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Rowers

    For the Masters Rower: The Competitive Edge

    Masters rowing is the real deal, and every stroke counts during a race. Give your rower the competitive edge with a 20MM Boat Pad with Non-Slip. 

    Featuring a dual-density construction (firm foam on one side, soft foam on the other) with a layer of our proprietary non-slip textured rubber, this pad is sure to be a game-changer!

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    For the Wooden Boat Enthusiast: Comfort on the Water, Row or Sail

    Sculls and shells are not the only boats you’ll find our seat pads propped inside. Owners of beautiful rowing and oar/sail boats like the 18-foot SeaBright shown here love how our seat pads provide comfort when they are rowing out to open water.

    For the boat lover in your life, try Rowing Pad’s 20MM Soft ErgPad. With its soft foam and slightly larger seat base, this pad is a nice fit for a range of wooden boats. Now that you’ve been so thoughtful, maybe they’ll take you out for a ride?

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    For the Junior Rower: Big Dreams, Lanky Limbs

    Young rowers often grow fast and furiously, which can lead to serious bouts of inflexibility. The extra height of a rowing pad can increase their range of motion so they can overcome tightness in the hips, hamstrings, and lower back and row a longer, more complete stroke. 

    Try our cult favorite 30MM Triple Decker Boat Pad with Non-Slip. The exclusive three-layer, soft/medium/soft, laminated foam pad provides maximum comfort and height without sacrificing stability. (This is especially useful for shorter teens or those with long legs and a short torso.)

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    For the Rowing Club: Boathouse Crew for Life

    Spread the rowing cheer this year with a gift for the people who keep your spirits high, from those brisk early morning practices to busy weekend regattas!

    Send us your club logo to make custom engraved pads for your boathouse. (With orders of 8 or more, engraving is free!) We can do a mix of boat and erg pads of different sizes and densities or go with a combo of crowd-pleasing 20MMs. Contact us directly for a quote!

    START A GROUP ORDER

    For the “No Frills” Rower: Comfort + Grip in a Low-Profile Package

    Maybe your rower is tall—statuesque even. So too much height in the seat would throw their rowing geometry out of balance. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a little comfort on the erg, especially if their backside is low on padding. 

    For these rowers (our founder Victor is one), we created the slim 10MM Soft ErgPad with Non-Slip. All of the cushion, none of the height. No frills, just skills!

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    For the Coastal Adventurer: Chart a Course, Bring a Pad

    Coastal rowing is such a popular sport, and we are so pleased to serve this segment of the rowing community! If the recipient on your list braves the choppy waves like our friend Tor Eneroth, they would surely appreciate some extra cushioning on the rear. 

    A 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad provides a wider base than our boat pads, and has been a big hit with our coastal adventurers. Wrap it up in a bow and pair with an expedition to Sweden…experience gifts are still in, right??

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    For the Ninth Seat: Vantage Is Valuable

    We haven’t forgotten our wayfinders in the ninth seat! If the rower on your list is a coxswain, our newest pad is sure to be a big hit. 

    Designed specifically for the cox seat, Rowing Pad’s Coxswain Seat Pad with Non-Slip provides an elevated perch for expert navigation, a non-slip layer to keep things sturdy even when water splashes into the stern (or bow), and a laser-cut hole for a lanyard to carry the pad to and from the dock. (We even send a free Rowing Pad lanyard with the pad, but feel free to swap out from one with a club or school logo!)

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    For the Rowing Mate: Never Miss a Solid Pun

    Wouldn’t it be nice for your rowing BFF to think of you every time they sit their butt down to row? Now they can! Seriously though, what better gift to the person you stroke with than a way to enjoy rowing EVEN MORE?

    A Rowing Pad boat or erg pad provides ultimate comfort. With our easy personalization services, you can engrave your recipient’s name or nickname on the pad, or a favorite rowing team or club, a personal best, an inside joke…the possibilities are endless. It’s a special touch on a surefire hit of a gift.

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    For the Indoor Rowing Fan: If You Row, You Know

    For some people, there is no “erg season”—the ergometer is a year-round passion. In fact, they’re probably on the erg, racking up those meters for a holiday challenge right now.

    Rowing Pad’s 20MM ErgPad with Comfort Cutouts is specially designed to fit the ergometer seat and features relief holes to accommodate the sitz bones—a game-changer for long endurances pieces.

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    For the Rowing Coach

    Let’s be honest: No gift can capture the debt we often feel we owe these most exceptional people, who inspire champions, instill confidence, and impart wisdom that sticks with us longer than most lessons we learned in school.

    So what do you give the coach who brings their best every day? Something practical and personal—a reminder of your shared memories and a sincere token of appreciation. RowingPad offers engraved coasters and glassware, customizable with a team logo, name, or other important message. Contact us for a quote.

    SHOP NOW

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • 2025 Guide to Classic New England Fall Regattas & Rowing Events

    Fierce competition, fall foliage, and fun along incredible waterways—put one (or more) on your calendar!

    Head race season is in full swing! In New England, we are fortunate to enjoy two quintessential fall traditions at the same time: high-energy rowing races in one of the sport’s most challenging formats and brilliant leaf-peeping from the banks of our region’s most scenic lakes and rivers. From beloved local regattas full of personality and heritage to the international treasure that is the Head of the Charles, there is truly a race for everyone.   

    As supporters of the rowing community both near and afar, we follow each of these fall events with enthusiasm and even, when we can, take part in some respectable masters and alumni racing. 

    Learn more about the exceptional rowing events taking place across New England for September, October, and November 2025. We hope to see you at one or more!

    Photo courtesy HolyokeRows.org

    Paper City Chase, September 27, 2025

    You may have rowed for a medal or trophy in past regattas, but have you ever competed to win homemade pie? At the Paper City Regatta, which bills itself as “Everyone’s favorite homegrown regatta,” that’s exactly what winners receive.

    The friendly regatta takes place along the Connecticut River, where the hosting club, Holyoke Rows, has been operating since 2000 with a mission of making river recreation accessible to a wide population. Competitive juniors and masters rowers can test their speed and strength in a 4-kilometer upstream course that runs from the Route 91 bridge to the boathouse. Novice or first-time racers in both the youth and masters categories can participate in a 2-kilometer race that starts through the bridge where the Massachusetts Pike/Route 90 crosses the river. There is also a 500-meter adaptive/inclusion event.

    The focus of this fun event is to get people racing! With the foliage just starting to turn vibrant in lower Massachusetts, it’s a great way to celebrate fall rowing. The big question is, What kind of pie will you be eating come Sunday?

    Photo courtesy PRC

    Green Mountain Head Regatta, September 28, 2025

    Putney Rowing Club, based out of the idyllic town of Putney on the Vermont-New Hampshire border, hosts this charming and beloved local race every year at the beginning of fall. Why do we say “charming”? Well, the Green Mountain Head Regatta traces its origins to the 19th century, and despite the illustrious rowing figures who have participated over the years, the awards still feature maple syrup for first place, a bag of apples for second and a gallon of cider for third.

    Formerly held on the Connecticut River in Putney, in 2022 the regatta moved locations 16 miles upstream in Herrick’s Cove near Bellows Falls. Unlike most fall head races, the regatta is only for sculling boats and draws competitors of every ability and age from the eastern seaboard and Canada. This year approximately 280 racers will participate in the stake race, launched in intervals, that runs 1.5 miles upstream, around two buoys and back again. If you’ve never seen a stake race, this is truly a fun event for spectating! After racing concludes, the rowers convene for lunch, a Green Mountain Head tradition.

    Photo courtesy QRA

    Quinsigamond Snake Regatta, October 4, 2025

    Lake Quinsigamond is a rowing haven, nestled between the city of Worcester and the town of Shrewsbury in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The 4-mile-long lake, formed by glaciers, at times resembles a river, with a deep, narrow northern section and a more shallow southern basin full of coves and islands. We can’t say for certain, but we’d guess its winding shape is how the Snake Regatta, hosted by the Quinsigamond Rowing Association, got its name.

    A traditional head-style race, the course is approximately 2.5 miles. Rowers begin at Sugarloaf Island and finish at the Donahue Rowing Center, located at the lake’s north end. The regatta is for collegiate crews, attracting many of New England’s top racing programs (17 clubs have entered so far this year)—many of which call Lake Quinsigamond home (e.g., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, among others).

    Photo courtesy of HudsonRiverRowing.org

    Poughkeepsie Regatta, October 4, 2025

    So…New York is not technically part of New England, BUT those of us who love a great fall head race along a historic body of water can make an exception, and allow for some extra travel time when the occasion arises. The Poughkeepsie Regatta Head Race is such an event, a relatively new offering for the fall lineup consisting of a 4,800-meter head-style race along the beautiful Hudson River.

    Race organizers describe the route like so: “Shadowing the route of the old Junior Varsity (3-mile) course, crews will race downstream from the Culinary Institute of America’s main campus in Hyde Park to the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie, passing under Walkway Over the Hudson State Park and rowing by several other Poughkeepsie Waterfront landmarks.” (Fans of the best-seller rowing book The Boys in the Boat will recognize the historic 1895-1949 Intercollegiate Rowing Association course featured in its pages.)

    Co-hosted by the Hudson River Rowing Association and the Mid-Hudson Rowing Association, both based out of Poughkeepsie, the regatta is open to juniors, collegiate, and masters rowers. Though the 7:30 a.m. start time makes for an early Saturday, it would be well worth it to arrive early and snag a prime viewing spot along the Walkway Over the Hudson!

    Photo courtesy of TextileRiverRegatta.org

    Textile River Regatta, October 5, 2025

    Set along the historic Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts, this beloved annual event is now in its 46th year. Wondering about the race’s name? According to event organizers, the Merrimac (historic spelling) and its system of locks and canals fueled the industrial revolution in the area, transforming the river region into the country’s center of textile production in the early to mid 1800s. The river’s rich history also includes the Pawtucket Indians, who paddled canoes and made their summer camps along these banks before the Pilgrims landed. In fact, the rocks just below the regatta starting line are part of an original dam used by the Pawtucket Indians for fishing.

    Today, the popular head race features a 4,500-meter course with great areas for viewing along the esplanade downriver from the boathouse. Schools and clubs from throughout New England compete in numerous events across all levels—meaning the energy level is traditionally high. It’s a can’t miss on your fall regatta schedule!

    photo courtesy: NHRC via Regatta Central

    Head of the Housatonic, October 11 & 12, 2025

    This unique and tightly organized head race hosted by the New Haven Rowing Club takes place at Indian Well State Park along Connecticut’s Housatonic River. This year 65 clubs are registered to participate as of this posting, which means the shores of the river will be lined with team tents and spectators, who arrive by shuttle from off-site parking lots. This is the first year the event will be held across two days, which organizers hope will allow more athletes to race twice and provide a less crowded atmosphere for all involved.

    We’ve seen plenty of regattas in our day, but the Head of the Housatonic Regatta, held in the southern reaches of Shelton, Connecticut, offers a different kind of race format. Competitors launch from the sandy beach by walking boats into the water (there is no dock). Boats follow a very specific traffic pattern involving colored buoys and must adhere to “right of way” guidelines. This race demands your full focus in more ways than one!

    Big news this year! Three-time Olympian and 2017 world champion sculler Robbie Manson and 2024 Head of the Charles and 2025 Henley Royal Regatta champion Finn Hamill have committed to race at the 2025 Head of the Housatonic on Saturday, October 11. Manson and Hamill will be available to meet participants for photos, autographs, and training tips on the Sunday of race weekend.

    New Hampshire Championships George Dirth Memorial Regatta, October 12, 2025

    What better way to warm up for one of the world’s most famous head races (HOCR) than with another widely renowned fall rowing competition? Up for the challenge? Then head to the George Dirth Memorial Regatta, which takes place the weekend before Head of the Charles and has the distinction of being the largest New England rowing event north of Boston. How large? More than 2,000 athletes rowing nearly 400 sculling and sweep boats.

    Hosted by the Amoskeag Rowing Club in Pembroke, New Hampshire, the 3-mile head race begins upriver on the Merrimack and finishes at Memorial Park. In addition to providing a wonderful day of racing in a beautiful fall setting, this event awards a New Hampshire Cup team trophy for the best overall team performance and is raced in memory of George Dirth, a former Amoskeag club member and rower at Derryfield and Oregon State University who died tragically at the young age of 27. 

    New this year is the Masters Novice Single race category—created just for masters rowers who are newer to the sport (technically, this means those who have competed in fewer than five head races) and looking to enjoy some friendly competition with others at a similar experience level. Registration is still open.

    Head of the Charles, October 17-19, 2025

    Since 1965, this beloved annual head race has been delighting spectators and competitors alike with its top-level racing and most scenic environs of the Charles River. With its prestigious roster of athletes and charming Boston backdrop, who could resist? This year 858 clubs have registered, with 2,697 entries, according to the Head of the Charles event page on Regatta Central. 

    Looking for a prime spot to watch all the action? (With approximately 400,000 spectators and 11,000 competitors, it’s always a challenge!) The HOCR website has a list of viewing points along the course to help guide you on the ground.

    If you plan to be there on Saturday, October 18, don’t miss the ceremony for the 2025 National Rowing Hall of Fame® inductees. The announcement will take place at 3 p.m. at the National Rowing Foundation U.S. Team Reunion tent.

    photo courtesy: QRA via Regatta Central

    Wormtown Chase, October 25, 2025

    A regular last fall season hurrah for collegiate programs in the region, the Wormtown Chase is the longer of the two head races held on Lake Quinsigamond each autumn. (The Snake Regatta, listed above, is the other.) The Chase is also a relatively new fixture on the New England regatta calendar; the inaugural race took place in 2019 and was conceived as a way to offer a head race opportunity for masters rowers as well as a second fall event for schools.

    Both college crews and masters now flock to the four-mile lake between Worcester and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, for the 3.25-mile head race. The course begins at Quinsigamond State Park beach, proceeds south around Coast Guard and Blake Islands, and finishes at the Donahue Rowing Center.  Why “Wormtown,” you might be wondering? Apparently this is a nickname for Worcester—one that can ignite debate, so be warned—coined by a local DJ in the 70s to refer to the city’s underground music scene.

    Want to hear more from RowingPad?

    Keep informed of all our sales and promotions as well as interesting happenings in the rowing world by following us on Facebook, Instagram or subscribe to our e-newsletter.

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • Rowing Pad Q&A: Swedish Rower Tor Eneroth

    One of the best parts about selling rowing pads is getting to know the rowers we meet and the ways our products have made a difference in their practice—on the erg, in the boat, and often, both. In 2024 we met rower Tor Eneroth, who was preparing to attempt an incredible journey: rowing along the entire Swedish coastline, from Svinesund, Norway, to Haparanda, Finland.  

    As we followed Tor’s journey and learned a bit more about the kind, adventurous person he is, we knew we had to share his story with the rowing community.  

    MEET: Tor Eneroth

    Lives in: Göteborg, Sweden

    Occupation: Tor is a consultant and coach helping leaders and change agents to grow healthy and high performing organizational cultures. Learn more about his business, Amcara, at  www.amcara.life.

    THE CHALLENGE: Row the Entire Swedish Coastline

    Looking to test his ability to join the elite echelon of rowers who have rowed the entire Swedish coastline, alone with his thoughts, relying on his physical endurance and inner spirit, Tor Eneroth set off last summer with a smartly packed coastal rowing boat, a Rowing Pad, and much enthusiasm. Lucky for his friends and family following along, he kept a wonderful Instagram diary of his progress.

    Key dates: Set off from Svinesund, Norway, on May 1,  2024; arrived in Haparanda, Finland, on July 16. 

    Days at sea: 61 (though the journey actually spanned 77 days, which accounts for a few days he took off from rowing to attend to work matters and days when it was too windy to row safely)

    Distance rowed: 2,473 kilometers, or approximately 40.5 kilometers per day; Tor estimates the journey involved half a million rowing strokes! (Fun fact we learned: “årtag” is the Swedish word for “oar strokes.”)

    His boat: A Row Vagabond 4.7 (which he got from his wife when he turned 50), described as “the rowing boat’s answer to the sea kayak…built for expedition rowing, coastal rowing, adventure rowing and exercise rowing.”

    What he packed: A lot of careful planning went into maximizing storage in the Vagabond so Tor could survive in between trip’s ashore to restock on food and supplies. Check out his diagrams below.

    Where he slept: Nights were a mixture of sleeping in tents set up along the coast and stays with friends and family in his various locations along the route. Tor reported he slept 50 nights in a tent and 11 in a bed during his 61-day rowing journey. Check out some of his overnight stays in this photo montage.

    How he tracked his progress: Eneroth kept a detailed log of his location and kilometers rowed each day using the app Relive, which replays the route and saves photos from checkpoints along the way. Check out the snapshot of his first day, during which he rowed 30.6 kilometers over the course of 7 hours, 43 minutes.

    Virtual logs captured Tor Eneroth’s daily rowing progress on Instagram as he explored the entire Swedish coastline last summer

    Q&A with Swedish Rower Tor Eneroth

    Rowing Pad: What inspired you to set out on this journey?

    Tor Eneroth: I simply would like to see if I could row that far, even if I was 64 years old and diabetic type 1. And I love being at the sea (I have been off-shore sail racing my whole life ). I was also curious to see how I would cope psychologically, and being with myself alone for long periods. It all went very well, or even better than I expected.

    RP: What rowing experience did you have before you set out for the trip? Do you row with a club? 

    TE: I got the rowing boat from my wife when I turned 50 years old, and I have rowed in the archipelago outside of where we live (on the west coast of Sweden) ever since. I learned how the boat behaves in all different type of weather conditions and with large waves (3 to 4 meters). So I felt safe in all different conditions. Previously, I had only done mostly daily trips of 3 to 6 hours and a few overnight trips. 

    However, before I took off on my trip around Sweden, I had done daily workouts at the local gym during the last 24 months. Like spinning, indoor walking, shape, body pump, step and Pilates. And rowing on a machine, of course…with my pad!

    I have never been part of any rowing club. But now, after I got back from my trip, I have been honored with a lifetime membership to our local rowing club, Göteborgs Roddförening.

    “One of the things I was really looking forward to was spending time with myself and being able to reflect on my behaviors. What I wasn’t prepared for was all the nice and generous people I met along the way—fantastic people who offered lunch, dinner, and a roof over my head. All of those encounters I will carry with me forever.”

    —Tor Eneroth, as quoted in Naturkompaniet magazine

    RP: What did you do for food during the trip? Did you pack enough to last?

    TE: Since I am diabetic type 1, I had to practice how to eat when having a physical workout for long periods (like 6 to 12 hours per day). I learned that I consumed about 50 to 70 grams of carbohydrates per hour. So I had to learn to eat a lot of pasta, rice, and bread. I also had Maurten energy bars (specially designed for elite athletes) as security when my blood sugar level dropped too quickly. It could be very dangerous if that happened when out at open sea.

    Lunch was usually dry food (REAL dry food from Norway) that was quite good. It made it possible for me to have lunch at the open sea when I was rowing far from land. For breakfast I usually had oatmeal porridge with banana, peanut butter, and soy milk.

    I had quite good space to store food for 4 to 6 days. Then I bought food along the way about 10 times.

    RP: Tor contacted us before his journey in search of a seat pad that could help ease the strain of his long hours on the water and hold up to the elements. How did the 30MM Boat Pad with Non-Slip hold up during those long hours out on the water?  

    TE: I must say, I would not have been able to do it without my Rowing Pad! I used it every day, all the time. I rowed between 6 to 12 hours a day, so the pad went through some rough treatment. It got a little worn down [see the photo he shared with us below!], but it did its job well! Wouldn’t have been possible without it.  

    The Rowing Pad 30MM Boat Pad with Non-Slip kept Tor comfortable in the seat for long stretches over his 61 days at sea.

    RP: Love to hear this. We are so glad it was with you on this journey—maybe one day we’ll come row the Swedish coast with you, too! Do you have plans for a next big adventure?

    TE: No further plans at the moment. I am still feeling happy and pleased with the journey I had last year. However, I still work out a lot and you never know what the future holds!

    We wish you much happiness and luck in your future adventures, Tor. Thank you for sharing your story with Rowing Pad! 

    To learn more about Tor’s journey around the beautiful Swedish coast, check out his Instagram account: instagram.com/rotor1960. 

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • National Learn to Row Day 2025: Share the Joy of Rowing with Others

    The time to share the joy of rowing with more people is almost here! Each year on the first Saturday in June, National Learn to Row Day invites the rowing community to band together to ensure a bright future for our great sport. On June 7, 2025, boathouses across the country will open their doors to community members of all ages and fitness levels for an introduction to the world of rowing. This wonderful annual tradition is organized by U.S. Rowing and Concept 2 Inc.

    For Clubs: Host a Learn to Row Event

    U.S. Rowing and Concept 2 have assembled resources to help rowing groups looking to host a Learn to Row event to get the word out to the local community.

    They are also hosting a sweepstakes to motivate clubs to inspire and engage potential new members. Find the 3-part entry requirements here. Registration is open now through June 6, and all those who qualify will be entered for the chance to win a brand new Concept2 Erg, a 2026 URRowing Organizational Membership of your choice, or a set of eight sweep oars from Concept2.   

    Concept 2 Inc. announcing its Learn to Row Day Host Sweepstakes on Instagram.

    For Participants: Find a Learn to Row Event Near You

    As a company founded by rowers for rowers, Rowing Pad is committed to championing our sport and its many benefits.

    Here are some of the many reasons we love rowing!

    • It’s a full-body, low-impact workout
    • It’s an excellent activity for pre-teens and teens in search of a challenge and team spirit
    • Likewise, rowing clubs are welcoming to new members of all ages!
    • Rowing is a year-round sport—check out the ergometers we use indoors and during winter training
    • And it’s a wonderful connection to nature!

    Many different types of rivers, lakes, bays, inlets, and more can be used for rowing. If you do a little research, you will likely find that a rowing club is operating somewhere not too far from your home! Rowing Pad’s home state of New Hampshire has a rich rowing heritage, with excellent high school and collegiate programs and beautiful waterways near the coast and nestled among the mountains.

    Many rowing clubs here participate in National Learn to Row Day each year. Below, we’ve compiled this list of regional Learn to Row events taking place June 7, 2025. Looking to row in another location? Use U.S. Rowing’s map (featured toward the bottom of the LTR site) to find a boat club near you and check out the offerings for new rowers. 

    Don’t miss this opportunity to try something new or to share your love for rowing with someone you think might enjoy it. Happy rowing to all for the 2025 Learn to Row season.

    Always remember to grab your Rowing Pad boat or erg pad before setting off on your next adventure!

    GREAT BAY ROWING CLUB (DOVER, NH)

    Join Great Bay Rowing Club at Jackson’s Landing in Durham, New Hampshire, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 7 for some National Learn to Row Day programming. GBR coaches and athletes will give demonstrations and offer community members a chance to try rowing for themselves! 

    This wonderful non-profit local club, which rows on the Cocheco River, offers everything from learn-to-row programs and sculling classes for juniors (grades 6 through 12) and adults to summer training for college students to competitive racing for all ages and levels. It also has adaptive rowing equipment available. The positive energy at GBR will surely win you over—check out the Instagram account to catch up on their recent accomplishments, including a third time claiming the title of Granite State Sculling Championship Team Trophy Winners. [With our headquarters right nearby, Rowing Pad is proud to sponsor Great Bay Rowing.]

    Find your rowing home on the Cocheco River with Great Bay Rowing.

    AMOSKEAG ROWING CLUB (HOOKSETT, NH)

    Those along the northern reaches of the Merrimack River have a great rowing resource in the Amoskeag Rowing Club, which operates out of its boathouse in Hooksett. Its nice mix of rowing programs includes a youth rowing team and development team, college memberships, master’s refresher courses, plus a NEW series of weekend coached technique clinics.

    From 9 to 11 a.m. on June 7, you can stop by for an open house, tour of the facilities, and some instruction on rowing technique, then hop into a boat for a free on-water lesson. Who knows? You might want to sign up for one of the adult or junior learn-to-row sculling programs on the spot and find yourself participating in the annual Blue Heron Regatta come August. The club now offers discounts to residents or town employees of Hooksett, Pembroke, or Allenstown!

    Join Amoskeag Rowing Club for Learn to Row Day! Learn more on the club’s Instagram.

    CONCORD CREW (CONCORD, NH)

    To celebrate Learn to Row 2025, this nonprofit, competitive regional rowing team based on the Merrimack will be holding an open house for rowers of all ages. Concord Crew has a long tradition of teaching kids sweep oar and sculling technique and it continues to evolve to keep up with local interest. The youth programming now includes 3-week introductory sessions for middle school kids in grades 5-8, as well as its existing offerings for older teens and adults—it keeps rowers busy through every season! The club also just announced its latest new team: Concord Crew Club Rowing, a competitive racing program aimed at young adults looking to continue their rowing careers post college or for collegiate athletes to train through their summer season.

    Stop by on Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. to take a tour of the Whittemore Boathouse (located at 15 Loudon Road), talk to the coaches, try out the rowing machines, and even head out on the water with some of the club’s experienced rowers and coxswains to get a feel for the sport.

    GENTLE GIANT ROWING CLUB (SOMERVILLE, MA)

    Gentle Giant Rowing Club operates out of the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, set along the Mystic River in Somerville, Massachusetts, just north of Boston. What’s the story behind the club’s name? Its title sponsor is Gentle Giant Moving Club, founded by a lifelong rower to bring the dedication and teamwork of sports to the moving industry.

    Visit this not-for-profit organization on June 7 for a view into the community spirit, fun, and camaraderie that come with belonging to a local boat club. The Learn to Row programming runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the boathouse, with land rowing on the club’s rowing machines (“ergs”) and “tanking,” which means sitting in a boat in the water against the dock and practicing the stroke process. After newbies have “tanked,” they can get out on the river in the club’s barge or in one of the hulls with experienced rowers to take their first official strokes on the Mystic. 

    If you catch the rowing bug, you can sign up for GGRC’s great learn to row sweep and scull classes, among other excellent programming for adults, youth, and partnerships with nearby high schools. Want to be part of the rowing fun, but not sure about the actual…rowing part? Perhaps you could be a coxswain, a rowing team’s “coach in the boat.” GGRC even has a Learn to Cox program!

    Gentle Giant Rowing Club announces its Learn to Row event on Instagram.

     

    UPPER VALLEY ROWING FOUNDATION (HANOVER, NH)

    Upper Valley Rowing Foundation is a non-profit organization that rows out of Kendal Riverfront Park along the Connecticut River between the towns of Hanover and Lyme in New Hampshire. Its mission is to connect the surrounding community with the sport of rowing through its programming and access to its beautiful home waterway. UVRF offers a range of programs for all ages and abilities including learn to row, competitive sculling, sweep rowing, plus winter training in the Dartmouth Alumni Gym tanks and a special, free rowing community for those living with cancer. The club shares this section of the 410-mile-long Connecticut River with the Dartmouth collegiate rowing team to the south and the Hanover High School rowing team to the north, so on any given day during the season you are sure to see plenty of high-level rowing up close and personal!

    On June 7, come experience the uniquely placid waters here, where the Wilder Dam impounds the river just south of the Ledyard Bridge, creating a perfect place for rowing. Meet at Kendal park between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. to partake in the official Learn to Row Day activities.

    Stop by any of these wonderful clubs this Saturday and give rowing a try!

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • Rowing Pad Q&A: Human Powered Potential’s Brendan Cusick

    One of the best parts about selling rowing pads is getting to know the rowers we meet and the ways our products have made a difference in their practice—on the erg, in the boat, and often, both. In 2023 we were contacted by a group of men preparing to attempt an incredible journey: rowing across the ocean from California to Hawaii as part of the 2024 World’s Toughest Row. Their goal? Raising money for Parkinson’s Disease, a debilitating progressive disorder caused by degeneration of nerve cells in the part of the brain that controls movement. 

    Once we learned more about the team, named Human Powered Potential, and their mission, we knew we had to shine a spotlight on their inspirational story.  [Photo credit above: World’s Toughest Row]

    GET TO KNOW: Team Human Powered Potential

    Team members: Brendan Cusick, Peter Durso, Scott Forman, Pat Morrissey, and honorary member and fundraising lead Matt Ackerman

    Back story: Brendan, a certified human potential coach and mountain athlete, and Scott, an ER physician and endurance athlete, had met each other when they were both professional mountain guides. Together they decided to attempt The World’s Toughest Row. They bought a boat and found a third crewmate in Peter, also an ER physician and former competitive swimmer. The crew agreed that the Michael J. Fox Foundation would be the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts. 

    Initially Patrick, a lifelong athlete and father of 2 who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, and who was a close friend of Brendan’s in Colorado, was to be the spokesperson for the team, but at some point he decided he wanted in on the action. If the journey went well, Pat would become the first person with Parkinson’s to row across the Pacific. The team was now ready to endure months of training to prepare for the race! 

    Behind the name: The crew made the 2,800-mile ocean journey with no motors—100% human powered. But before they would power themselves across the Pacific, team HPP had more than 125 years of human-powered experience between them, including climbs on 8,000-meter peaks in the Himalayas; single-push alpine ascents in Alaska, Canada, and South America; ultra-running, cycling, and skiing events; and the Race Across America (RAAM). [Want to learn even more about the team and how they came together? Check out this CNN article.]

    “The goal of Human Powered Potential is to explore and expand humanity’s capacity for endurance—mental, physical, and spiritual—while engaging in endeavors intended to test our limits.” 

    Their mission: To raise money to support research into finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease.  

    The HPP boat: The American Spirit, a Rannoch 45 concept boat constructed from fiberglass and carbon fiber with a hull length of 28 feet.

    The crew together before they set out from Monterey, California. Photo credit: World’s Toughest Row

    THE CHALLENGE: World’s Toughest Row 2024

    The Pacific edition of this annual race encompasses a technically challenging, wild and bio-diverse 2,800-mile course, across the mid-Pacific ocean from the start line in Monterey, California, to Hanalei, Kaua’i.

    Key dates: Launched on June 8,  2024; arrived on the shores of Hanalei on July 19. 

    Days at sea: 41

    What they ate: Dehydrated meals, along with high-calorie snack food—enough to fuel each rower with 4,000-6,000 kcal per day.  

    What they drank: Desalinated saltwater, made via solar-powered equipment.

    Teamwork: The team was entirely self-supported as they rowed 24 hours a day, in intervals of two hours on, two hours off. (View the HPP instagram feed for awesome video footage of the crew out on the ocean.)

    Total Money Raised for Parkinson’s Disease:
    $41 million (nearly double the initial goal!)

    The team endured 41 days at sea—and raised $41 million toward’s Parkinson’s research. Photo credit: World’s Toughest Row.

    Q&A with Captain Brendan Cusick

    Rowing Pad: What was the biggest challenge for you, personally, during the crossing? Was it what you expected or something different?

    Brendan Cusick: The biggest challenge for me on the crossing was adapting to the physical and mental challenges. We had very big ocean conditions for the first week, including 30 to 40-foot waves and 30-knot winds hitting the side of the boat. This, along with the sleep deprivation and getting used to the shift patterns, was a huge challenge. All occurred in the first week. Once we adapted and the ocean calmed, we fell into a really good rhythm and strength improved.

    “I tried not to allow any expectations to come forth and instead just go with what is. Expectations can be unfortunate if we let them guide us. Instead, just embrace what is happening.”

    —Brendan Cusick, Human Powered Potential captain

    RP: How did you enjoy the rowing aspect of this great accomplishment? 

    BC: Rowing was a part of my childhood—in an 18-foot pacific Whitehall, crabbing and fishing on the north coast of California. I then departed for the mountains and would not have foretold I would return to the sport. I truly appreciate what it brought for me. The simplicity yet the hard effort made it very rewarding.  

    RP: How are Patrick and Matt Ackerman [team members who both have Parkinson’s Disease] doing? Is Patrick still rowing as a way to alleviate some of his Parkinson’s symptoms?

    BC: Pat and Matt are doing well. Pat continues to row on his erg a couple of times a week and enjoys the active asymmetry of rowing to help with his PD.

    HPP team member Patrick Morrissey (front) became the first person with Parkinson’s to row across the Pacific. Photo credit: Human Powered Potential.

    RP: We were happy to send some of our rowing pads to the team ahead of the big voyage. We would love to hear how you used our products during training as well as during the actual crossing. 

    BC: We used a variety of the pads during training to see which ones would go on the crossing, and ultimately selected the thickest and softest ones. We had a huge variety of seats to mitigate potential sores as the rowing time increased. We used Rowing Pads for the first week, then each of us rotated with what worked for each of us for the duration of the crossing.

    RP: Excellent. Perhaps there’s a market for butt pads designed specifically for incredible ocean crossings. Any future plans for the Human Powered Potential team that you can share with us?

    BC: Team HPP is moving forward to support those with Parkinson’s to complete audacious challenges and raise money for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Stay tuned as these projects come to fruition.

    We will be watching, Brendan. Our heartfelt congratulations to the Human Powered Potential crew on this monumental achievement and contribution to Parkinson’s research. We hope the push for a cure finds success during all of our lifetimes! 

    To learn more about Human Powered Potential, their incredible voyage, and their fundraising efforts, visit www.humanpoweredpotential.org. 

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • 5 Awesome Reasons to Try Indoor Rowing

    Every February—right around the time the cold weather and snowstorms start to make you feel like you might never work out outside again—the team at Rowing Pad makes a celebration of remembering why we LOVE that wonderful invention dubbed the “erg.” Our catch phrase for the month is “LOVE YOUR ERG. PAD YOUR SEAT.”

    The ergometer is truly a revolutionary machine, a way to replicate the on-water rowing experience so many of us love, even when we can’t get in the boat. And with today’s streaming and immersive workout programs, you can really get the sensation of gliding across some of the world’s most beautiful waterways. It’s no surprise that indoor rowing has gained massive popularity around the world. From rowing studios to athletes who are cross-training to people looking for low-impact ways to get their heart pumping, it seems we are tuned in to the ergometer and its many health and fitness benefits.

    Why should I try a rowing pad?

    Of course the erg is not without its flaws. For starters, it’s an investment to purchase one for your home. It’s also not always comfortable on the posterior. The seats are a bit unforgiving. Many a new rower has walked away from their first indoor rowing class with a sore rump and a plan to sit on an ice pack the next day!

    What’s more, repetitive use of an ergometer can lead to lower back pain or exacerbate chronic back issues like sciatica. This makes sense: An ergometer sits on the hard floor, generating a ton of force during the course of a workout. Some of that pressure gets absorbed by your body—much different from rowing on water, where the natural buoyancy of the boat allows your back muscles to load and unload during the course of a stroke.

    RowingPad was founded as a simple, effective way to reduce some of the negative elements of training on a rowing machine. Using input from some of the world’s best rowers and leading rowing coaches at the time, combined with our knowledge of materials manufacturing and high-performance foam, we designed a seat pad specifically for use on the erg. Our pads provide comfort for the sitz bones while also absorbing some of the pressure generated by the erg and enhancing rowing geometry to help rowers achieve a longer, more powerful stroke.

    For this year’s Love the Erg month, we’re taking a look at 5 awesome reasons to make indoor rowing part of your fitness routine.

    Rowing Is a True Full-Body Workout

    As our friends at Hydrow detail so well in this blog post, rowing activates approximately 85% of your muscle groups with one stroke! The most obvious parts of your body involved with rowing are all located in your upper body—biceps, shoulders, triceps, and forearms. But you can also feel the work your back muscles are doing, engaging your upper back muscles and your lats. The abdominal muscles fire up quickly to stabilize your body and transfer some power from your lower body to your upper body. Those powerhouse muscles—glutes, quads, calves, and hamstrings—in your lower half are working hard from catch to recovery. Phew! We’re tired just talking about it.

    Rowing Is a Low-Impact Exercise

    Let’s start by affirming something our crew at RP believes: Low impact does not necessarily mean low intensity, or even low effectiveness. Low-impact workouts are for everyone, at any stage of life. And as a session on the erg will prove, low-impact workouts can be just as challenging as other types of exercise.

    Rowing is an excellent low-impact activity for several reasons: First, it’s gentle on the joints. In fact, in many cases rowing can reduce existing joint pain by lengthening and strengthening the muscles around the joints. Second, rowing improves your full-body strength, just by using your own body weight. Rowing also builds cardiovascular endurance, without any need for typical high-impact activities like running or jumping. Pop an ErgPad on that ergometer and start spinning—low stress, low strain!

    Rowing Improves Your Posture and Core Strength

    Nowadays we all are in need of a massive antidote to our collective cultural neck tilt as we slump at our desks and hunch over phones. (Don’t despair—there’s hope!) A session on the erg is just what the doctor ordered. Rowing strengthens the core and back muscles, both responsible for helping you stand up straight and tall. Plus, by getting into the proper rowing position for each workout, you are re-training your body to sit with proper posture and alignment. Before long, you’ll be walking taller, sitting straighter, and hopefully enjoying fewer aches and pains as you go through each day.

    If you are having trouble finding your ideal form on the rowing machine, it’s possible you need to adjust your height in the seat. (Not all bodies are perfectly proportional, so it’s natural to need some help in achieving proper rowing form!) Adding an ErgPad to your seat can help with your range of motion and getting your shoulders in front of the hips during the recovery. Rowing Pad makes seat pads in 10MM, 20MM, and 30MM thicknesses.

    Rowing Is an Efficient Workout

    If you have only a short time to dedicate to fitness each day, why not maximize the results you get from your effort? Few workouts do this as efficiently as rowing. In just 20 to 30 minutes, you can complete a solid full-body workout. Rowing also checks two boxes when it comes to how it challenges the body. While some workouts are predominantly strength-building, and others mostly cardio, rowing accomplishes both—toning your muscles and getting that heart rate pumping at the same time.

    We all know eliminating excuses is essential in establishing a successful exercise routine. Knowing you don’t have to dedicate an hour or more to a workout can be incredibly helpful, especially if you are just getting started!

    Rowing Has a Major Zen Factor

    Look, we don’t know how early 2025 is treating you…but mentally, we could definitely use a little more “calm” and a little less panic in our daily outlook. It’s proven that aerobic exercise boosts blood flow to the brain, which can clear toxins, protecting against inflammation and fostering the development of new brain cells. It also helps protect the brain from cognitive decline and memory loss.

    But certain forms of cardio are more “stressful” than others. (You won’t find this Rowing Pad crew member in a cycling studio anymore—the dark rooms, loud music, and often extreme intervals cause my brain to shut down instead of achieving any elevated “endorphin rush” state!) With its rhythmic quality, rowing on the erg can be extremely meditative. Rowers often report entering a sort of Zen state as they repeat their “catch, drive, finish, recover” cycle over and over.

    Gliding toward calm plus a healthy dose of stress-relieving endorphins sounds pretty wonderful. Add an extra-cushiony Soft ErgPad from our extra-soft collection and you’ll be in rowing heaven!

    RowingPad designs, manufacturers, and distributes all of our products from our cozy corner of New Hampshire, right here in the USA. It is our mission to continue to provide the highest quality products and attentive customer service as we support the rowing community.

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • 2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Rowers

    Shopping for a rower this holiday season? Step away from the unitards—Rowing Pad has the perfect gift for rowing fans of all ages, abilities, and body types: a high-performance boat or erg pad.

    What does a rowing pad do, you ask? Well, first and foremost, a seat pad makes rowing more comfortable, both in the boat or on a rowing machine. Comfort is really important, especially if your recipient is training several times a week. Second, a rowing pad can improve your rowing form. That’s right! Just a few small millimeters can make a difference in how a rower goes through the rowing motion—that boost in height can actually result in a longer, more powerful stroke.

    So COMFORT + COMPETITIVE EDGE. All in one tiny, durable foam package, which you can even personalize with your rower’s name, club, or team. Check out our 2024 gift guide for rowers for specific inspiration and please reach out if you need any help choosing the right product. Happy gifting season!

    For the Masters Rower

    Masters rowing is the real deal, and every stroke counts during a race. Give your rower the competitive edge with a 20MM Boat Pad with Non-Slip.

    Featuring a dual-density construction (firm foam on one side, soft foam on the other) with a layer of our proprietary non-slip textured rubber, this pad is sure to be a game-changer!

    For the Wooden Boat Enthusiast

    Sculls and shells are not the only boats you’ll find our seat pads propped inside. Owners of beautiful rowing and oar/sail boats like the 18-foot SeaBright shown here love how our seat pads provide comfort when they are rowing out to open water.

    For the boat lover in your life, try Rowing Pad’s 20MM Soft ErgPad. With its extra soft foam and slightly larger seat base, this pad is a nice fit for a range of wooden boats. Now that you’ve been so thoughtful, maybe they’ll take you out for a ride?

    For the Junior Rower

    Young rowers are often growing fast and furiously, which can lead to serious bouts of inflexibility. The extra height of a rowing pad can increase their range of motion so they can overcome tightness in the hips, hamstrings, and lower back and row a longer, more complete stroke.

    Try our cult favorite 30MM Triple Decker Boat Pad with comfort cutouts. The exclusive three-layer, soft/medium/soft, laminated polymer foam pad provides maximum comfort and height without sacrificing stability. (This is especially useful for shorter teens or those long legs and a short torso.) Give them the competitive edge and a little TLC—a winning combo!

    For the Rowing Club

    Spread the rowing cheer this year with a gift for the people who keep your spirits high, from those brisk early morning practices to busy weekend regattas! Send us your club logo to make custom engraved pads for your boathouse. (With orders of 8 or more, engraving is free!) We can do a mix of boat and erg pads of different sizes and densities or go with a combo of crowd-pleasing 20MMs. Contact us directly for a quote!

    For the Statuesque Rower

    Is this just a more interesting way to say “tall”? Maybe. But some lucky rowers don’t need extra height on the seat—their form is strong as is! That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t appreciate a little comfort on the erg, especially if their backside is low on padding.

    For these rowers (our founder Victor is one), we created the slim 10MM Soft ErgPad with Non-Slip. All of the cushion, none of the height.

    For the Coastal Rower

    Coastal rowing is such a popular sport, and we are so pleased to serve this segment of the rowing community! If the recipient on your list gets out on the open water—be it the sea or a large lake—to brave the choppy waves, they would surely appreciate some extra cushioning on the rear.

    A 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad provides a wider base than our boat pads, and have been a big hit with our coastal rowing customers. Wrap it up in a bow and pair with an expedition to Lake Maggiore…experience gifts are in, right??

    For the Ninth Seat

    We haven’t forgotten our wayfinders in the ninth seat! If the rower on your list is a coxswain, our newest pad is sure to be a big hit.

    Designed specifically for the cox seat, Rowing Pad’s Coxswain Seat Pad with Non-Slip provides an elevated perch for expert navigation, a non-slip layer to keep things sturdy even when water splashes into the stern (or bow), and a laser-cut hole for a lanyard to carry the pad to and from the dock. (We even send a free Rowing Pad lanyard with the pad, but feel free to swap out from one with a club or school logo!)

    For the Rowing Mate

    Wouldn’t it be nice for your rowing BFF to think of you every time they sit their butt down to row? Now they can! Seriously though, what better gift to the person you stroke with than a way to enjoy rowing EVEN MORE?

    A Rowing Pad boat or erg pad provides ultimate comfort. With our easy personalization services, you can engrave your recipient’s name or nickname on the pad, or a favorite rowing team or club, a personal best, an inside joke…the possibilities are endless. It’s a special touch on a surefire hit of a gift.

    For the Indoor Rowing Fan

    For some people, there is no “erg season”—the ergometer is a year-round passion. In fact, they’re probably on the erg, racking up those meters for Concept2 Inc.’s 2024 Holiday Challenge right now. Rowing Pad’s 20MM ErgPad with Comfort Cutouts is specially designed to fit the ergometer seat and features relief holes to accommodate the sitz bones—a game-changer for long endurances pieces. (Note: The pad comes with plugs for the holes in place, so you can actually choose to use it with or without the cutouts, depending on the workout.)

    Wishing you all happy holidays this season. Shop our full line of boat and erg pads—something for every rower on your list! XOXO—the Rowing Pad crew

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    Danielle Cantor

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  • 2024 Guide to Classic New England Fall Regattas & Rowing Events

    Head races, picturesque riverbanks, and historic rowing courses—find one near you and register today!

    Head race season is upon us! In New England, we get to savor beautiful fall foliage from one of our favorite vantage points: the banks of a winding river, dotted with crews and shells. From classic local regattas full of personality and heritage to the international highlight that is the Head of the Charles, there is truly a race for everyone.   

    As supporters of rowers local and international, we follow each of these fall events with enthusiasm and even, when we can, take part in some respectable masters and alumni racing. 

    Learn more about the excellent rowing events taking place across New England for October and November 2024. We hope to see you at one or more!

    A women’s x4 racing to the finish at a previous Snake Regatta on Lake Quinsigamond. Photo via QRC website.

    Quinsigamond Snake Regatta, October 5, 2024

    Lake Quinsigamond is a rowing haven, nestled between the city of Worcester and the town of Shrewsbury in Worcester County, Massachusetts. The 4-mile-long lake, formed by glaciers, at times resembles a river, with a deep, narrow northern section and a more shallow southern basin full of coves and islands. We can’t say for certain, but we’d guess its winding shape is how the Snake Regatta, hosted by the Quinsigamond Rowing Association, got its name.

    A traditional head-style race, the course is approximately 2.5 miles. Rowers begin at Sugarloaf Island and finish at the Donahue Rowing Center, located at the lake’s north end. The regatta is for collegiate crews, attracting many of New England’s top racing programs (18 clubs have entered this year)—many of which call Lake Quinsigamond home (e.g., College of the Holy Cross, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, among others).

    Poughkeepsie Regatta, October 5, 2024

    So…New York is not technically part of New England, BUT those of us who love a great fall head race along a historic body of water can make an exception, and allow for some extra travel time when the occasion arises. The Poughkeepsie Regatta Head Race is such an event, a relatively new offering for the fall lineup consisting of a 4,800-meter head-style race along the beautiful Hudson River.

    Race organizers describe the route like so: “Shadowing the route of the old Junior Varsity (3-mile) course, crews will race downstream from the Culinary Institute of America’s main campus in Hyde Park to the Mid-Hudson Bridge in Poughkeepsie, passing under Walkway Over the Hudson State Park and rowing by several other Poughkeepsie Waterfront landmarks.” (Fans of the best-seller rowing book The Boys in the Boat will recognize the historic 1895-1949 Intercollegiate Rowing Association course featured in its pages.) Co-hosted by the Hudson River Rowing Association and the Mid-Hudson Rowing Association, both based out of Poughkeepsie, the regatta is open to juniors, collegiate, and masters rowers.

    Spectators line the banks of the Merrimack River during the 2023 Textile River Regatta. Photo credit: Carl Popolo via TRR website.

    Textile River Regatta, October 6, 2024

    Set along the historic Merrimack River in Lowell, Massachusetts, this beloved annual event is now in its 45th year. Wondering about the race’s name? According to event organizers, the Merrimac (historic spelling) and its system of locks and canals fueled the industrial revolution in the area, transforming the river region into the country’s center of textile production in the early to mid 1800s. The river’s rich history also includes the Pawtucket Indians, who paddled canoes and made their summer camps along these banks before the Pilgrims landed. In fact, the rocks just below the regatta starting line are part of an original dam used by the Pawtucket Indians for fishing.

    Today, the popular head race features a 4,500-meter course with great areas for viewing along the esplanade downriver from the boathouse. Schools and clubs from throughout New England, New York, and Pennsylvania compete in numerous events across all levels—meaning the energy level is traditionally high. New for this year is the addition of a mixed juniors 4+ as the last event of the day. It’s informally known as the Coach Jody Invitational.

    Head of the Housatonic regatta in Connecticut

    Head of the Housatonic, October 13, 2024

    This unique and tightly organized head race hosted by the New Haven Rowing Club takes place at Indian Well State Park along Connecticut’s Housatonic River. This year 69 clubs are registered to participate, which means the shores of the river will be lined with team tents and spectators, who arrive by shuttle from off-site parking lots.

    We’ve seen plenty of regattas in our day, but the Head of the Housatonic Regatta, held in the southern reaches of Shelton, Connecticut, offers a different kind of race format. Competitors launch from the sandy beach by walking boats into the water (there is no dock). Boats follow a very specific traffic pattern involving colored buoys and must adhere to “right of way” guidelines. This race demands your full focus in more ways than one! Watch this cool video on the NHRC site for a glimpse at all the action.

    More than 2,000 rowers from 50 clubs set up camp in Memorial Park for the 2023 NH championships regatta. Photo via Amoskeag Rowing Club website.

    New Hampshire Championships George Dirth Memorial Regatta, October 13, 2024

    What better way to warm up for one of the world’s most famous head races (HOCR) than with another widely renowned fall rowing competition? Up for the challenge? Then head to the George Dirth Memorial Regatta, which takes place the weekend before Head of the Charles and has the distinction of being the largest New England rowing event north of Boston. How large? More than 2,000 athletes rowing nearly 400 sculling and sweep boats.

    Hosted by the Amoskeag Rowing Club in Pembroke, New Hampshire, the 3-mile head race begins upriver on the Merrimack and finishes at Memorial Park. In addition to providing a wonderful day of racing in a beautiful fall setting, this event awards a New Hampshire Cup team trophy for the best overall team performance and is raced in memory of George Dirth, a former Amoskeag club member and rower at Derryfield and Oregon State University who died tragically at the young age of 27. Registration is still open.

    Rowers on the Charles in front of the River Street Bridge, in October 2023. Credit: iStock.

    Head of the Charles, October 18-20, 2024

    Since 1965, this beloved annual head race has been delighting spectators and competitors alike with its top-level racing and most scenic environs of the Charles River. With its prestigious roster of athletes and charming Boston backdrop, who could resist? This year 837 clubs have registered, with 2,626 entries, according to the Head of the Charles event page on Regatta Central. 

    One special moment scheduled to take place amid the rowing action is a ceremony for the 2024 National Rowing Hall of Fame® inductees. The announcement will take place Saturday, October 19, at 3 p.m. at the National Rowing Foundation U.S. Team Reunion tent. This year’s roster includes, among others, the members of the 1984 Olympic Silver Medal Women’s Quadruple Sculls. Find more details on Hear the Boat Sing.

    Rowing Pad’s founder, Victor Pisinski, a Northeastern rowing alum, has quite a streak of participation in the event, in which he debuted during year three. This year he will once again return to the river basin in the Men’s Grand Master Eights, taking place Saturday morning, accompanied by a crew of rowing compatriots eager to give it their all for 2024. 

    If you see him there, give him a big cheer (and ask to check out a Rowing Pad seat pad while you’re at it!).

    Wormtown Chase, October 26, 2024

    A regular last fall season hurrah for collegiate programs in the region, the Wormtown Chase is the longer of the two head races held on Lake Quinsigamond each autumn. (The Snake Regatta, listed above, is the other.) The Chase is also a relatively new fixture on the New England regatta calendar; the inaugural race took place in 2019 and was conceived as a way to offer a head race opportunity for masters rowers as well as a second fall event for schools.

    Both college crews and masters now flock to the four-mile lake between Worcester and Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, for the 3.25-mile head race. The course begins at Quinsigamond State Park beach, proceeds south around Coast Guard and Blake Islands, and finishes at the Donahue Rowing Center.  Why “Wormtown,” you might be wondering? Apparently this is a nickname for Worcester—one that can ignite debate, so be warned—coined by a local DJ in the 70s to refer to the city’s underground music scene.

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    Danielle Cantor

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