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Author: Danielle Cantor
The 2023 Rowing Pad Holiday Gift Guide for Rowers
Welcome to our round-up of the best rowing pads for every type of rower on your list. For this latest edition of the Rowing Pad Holiday Gift Guide for Rowers, we’d like to get a little sentimental about our products and why a rowing pad is truly a top choice for the rower in your life.
Why Gift a Rowing Pad Boat or Erg Pad?
- Rowers LOVE our pads. Nothing warms our hearts like receiving positive feedback from athletes who have discovered our products. Visit our testimonials page or check out our Instagram to read how our pads improve a rower’s form and enjoyment of the sport.
- No two rowers are exactly alike! With differences in height, body proportion, strength, flexibility, preferences, seat cushions cannot be one-size-fits all. Our pads come in a range of thicknesses and densities to suit rowers of all sizes, ages, and experience levels.
- Construction matters! Our pads are made of the highest quality foam to withstand regular use and maintain their form much longer than other seat cushions on the market.
- Our pads were engineered with input from some of the sport’s most respected coaches and athletes—people who know from rowing. Trust that our pads are designed to cushion, protect against impact, and enhance rowing form.
- We now offer personalization on all pads! Add a special touch to your gift by adding a rower’s name, nickname, college, rowing club—anything goes. Just customize your engraving at checkout.
- “Experience” gifts are tops on our list, too. What better experience is there than rowing down a scenic river while the sunset blazes in the sky? Or feeling that rush of endorphins as you set a new personal best on the ergometer? Make a rower’s experience of rowing much comfier—and much more rewarding—with a Rowing Pad.
- Rowing Pad LLC is a small business run by lifelong rowers (with enormous heart) from our headquarters in New Hampshire. #shopsmall
Here we present, the RowingPad gift guide for rowers, indoor rowing fans, and fitness buffs of all types. We’ll kick things off with ideas from our newest line, the Extra Soft ErgPad collection.
FOR THE INDOOR ROWING PRO:
20MM Soft ErgPad with Non-SlipNo mistaking the indoor rowing pro: His or her tribe consists of their super-intense (but fun!) 6 a.m. class at the local rowing studio. They might even casually insert their current meter count into regular conversation. A gift relating to the erg is 100% guaranteed to delight. Take it from Rowhouse coach Jen Bauer, who teaches at studios in California, “What I love about Rowing Pads is that they not only provide extra comfort, but the ‘lift’ they offer is unique. Most other cushions compress over time. Rowing Pad is made of a dense material that does not seem to collapse.”
The 20MM Soft ErgPad with Non-Slip is the ultimate erg training tool, featuring Rowing Pad’s new soft-soft density design along with a layer of proprietary non-slip technology. Textured rubber grips the rowing machine seat for improved slip resistance—even when things get sweaty in the rowing studio. Want to add an extra special touch? Personalize the pad with your recipient’s name or personal best—they’ll cherish the engraving and it will make their pad easier to spot in the dark studio.
THE ULTIMATE COMFORT SEEKER:
20MM Soft ErgPad SolidDoes the rower on your list tinker endlessly with their rowing equipment, trying to find the setting at which rowing 2,000 meters feels like heaven? If they’re still searching for a cloud-like erg experience, the missing ingredient just might be Rowing Pad’s new solid 20MM Soft ErgPad. This soft-soft twist on our classic dual-density design provides that extra comfort factor many rowers crave during rowing machine workouts. In fact, this ergometer seat pad is so soft, their sitz bones will feel total relief (no comfort cutouts necessary)!
FOR THE LONG-HAUL ERG LOVER:
20MM ErgPad with Comfort CutoutsFor 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 2022 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.)
With Rowing Pad’s classic dual-density layer construction, this pad gives your recipient the flexibility to flip it soft or firm side up, depending on the workout or how much give they like in the seat.
Alternate product: 20MM ErgPad
Fairly sure your rower prefers a solid cushion? Shop our 20MM ErgPad, which comes without cutouts for a solid ride on the erg.
FOR THE JUNIOR ROWER:
10MM Boat Pad with Non-SlipCongratulations! You have a future Olympic rower in your crew. (Right? Dream big, Mom and Dad!) If your young rower frequently complains about a sore rear from all that carbon fiber contact, a new boat pad is just the solution. With firm-density foam, comfort cutouts, and protective non-slip technology to keep the seat pad in place, practice will be a breeze come spring training time. Inflexibility is also very common in junior rowers, who are growing fast and furiously. A RowingPad 10MM Boat Pad can help increase their range of motion so they can overcome tightness in the hips, hamstrings, and lower back and row a longer, more complete stroke. Give them the competitive edge and a little TLC—a winning combo!
Alternate product: 20MM ErgPad
Many young rowers are still spending a lot more time on the erg due to Covid precautions and seasonal illnesses, which can spell major back pain. Why? Our bodies absorb some of the pressure from the hard ground when we work out on a rowing machine. Protect their spine with a technical-level foam seat cushion, like the 20MM ErgPad.
FOR THE GRAND MASTERS ROWER:
30MM Triple Decker ErgPadFor those in the know, “Grand Masters” is code for super tough rower of a certain, elevated age. Showing up daily at your local Rowhouse studio or barreling down the Charles River at the annual HOCR, these veteran rowers push things to the max. But the inescapable realities of aging can make workouts extra tough on the joints, back, and sitz bones.
As we age, our range of motion can decrease, and rhythms that were once second nature can suddenly start to feel out of whack. But that shouldn’t keep career athletes from enjoying their preferred form of exercise. Rowing Pad’s 30MM Triple-Decker ErgPad—featuring our exclusive soft/medium/soft three-layer polymer foam construction—can help restore a rower’s range of motion, thereby maintaining the most effective body angle. The extra benefit is the additional comfort on the rear. This best-selling ErgPad is available as a solid pad or with comfort cutouts.
FOR THE ROWING CLUB ENTHUSIAST:
A Personalized Boat PadDoes your rowing friend or family member wear club colors at all times…and carry a coordinating keychain, tumbler, and duffle bag? Take their rowing pride one level further with a personalized boat or erg pad! That’s right, you can order a custom Rowing Pad seat cushion with the name, nickname, or inspirational motto of your choice emblazoned on the front. It’s a special touch, and it also helps keep track of gear on the crowded boathouse dock or in the dark training studio. Ordering gifts for a group? Contact us for a quote on logo engraving.
For a limited time only, get free personalization on all orders! Customize your text engraving and add to cart—no code needed. Promotion in effect Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11/25/2022 to 11/27/2022.
FOR THE DISPROPORTIONATE ROWER:
30MM Triple Decker Boat PadIf your distinguishing family trait is long legs, short torso, chances are the rower in your life could use some assistance getting their body weight in front of their hips. Why is this important? A powerful drive depends on a rower’s ability to get their shoulders in front of the hips during the recovery, and for rowers with long legs, that can be a struggle. A RowingPad 30MM Triple Decker Boat Pad gives just the right amount of boost to help perfect that geometry, with three layers of soft/firm/soft density foam for comfort and preferred level of firmness. The non-slip add-on protects against slipping and skidding, even in wet conditions.
Take it from national champion masters rowers Laura Nowacki and Ann Panagulias, who are affectionately called “munchkins” by their New Haven Rowing Club mates: “[RowingPad’s] rowing pads not only boost our stature in the boat, they boost our confidence, too! In a sport of technical detail and proficiency, a RowingPad gives us an undeniable edge on the competition. And every millimeter counts! We LOVE them!”
Alternate product: 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad
Where the #Hydrowshorties at? Shopping for an indoor rowing enthusiast who could use a few extra millimeters in the seat of their preferred rowing machine? Give them the ultimate boost in the form of the 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad. It’s compatible with almost all rowing machine brands on the market (Concept2, Hydrow, Water Rower, Ergatta, NordicTrack, and more) and will make a world of difference in their ability to row with proper form.
THE UNIVERSAL STOCKING STUFFER:
Non-Slip ErgPad Add-OnIf the rower on your list has already discovered the joy of Rowing Pad, you might still be able to surprise them! We recently introduced a new version of our boat pad non-slip add-on for the ergometer. With the the Non-Slip ErgPad Add-On, your lucky rower can add an extra layer of slip resistance to their trusty Rowing Pad ErgPad. The peel-and-stick application will improve a pad’s slip resistance, gripping the seat and protecting against skidding, even in sweaty conditions. Just maybe don’t actually “stuff” it…treat this baby with care.
Alternate product: Non-Slip Boat Pad Add-On
Shopping for a rower who is rarely off the water? The original Non-Slip Boat Pad Add-On is an excellent choice for Rowing Pad users to upgrade their pad.
Rowing Pad Q&A: Row House Coach Jen Bauer
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. Jen Bauer has been unforgettable from the moment we first spoke with her. Her enthusiasm for indoor rowing is off the charts, and it’s immediately clear why people flock to her classes at the Row House studios in Pleasant Hill and Walnut Creek, California. She is a major fan of Rowing Pad’s boat and erg cushions (more on that below), but we love her most for her effervescent personality, inspirational teaching methods, and, above all, total devotion to the rowing life.
MEET: Jen Bauer, Row House rowing coach
Currently living in: Danville, California
Originally from: Rockville Centre, New York
Coach Jen Bauer of Row House is a rowing force both in the studio and on the water Rowing Pad: How did you first get into indoor rowing?
Jen Bauer: Row House was expanding nationwide, and I heard they were coming to my area. I was excited about the prospect of leading workouts that folks of any age and level of fitness could do together. Indoor rowing led me to outdoor rowing and now I own a sculling boat, which I love taking out on the water, too.
RP: Why did you decide to start coaching?
JB: Health and physical fitness have had a strong presence in my life for as long as I can remember, and I informally coached friends and family at various times. It’s always felt so rewarding to me to help others achieve their athletic goals. After leaving a corporate job to focus on raising my children, the timing felt right to pursue my passion and learn to coach professionally.
Row House coach Jen Bauer enjoys time on out on the water too! RP: What’s the vibe like at Row House Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill?
JB: Every Row House studio has an inclusive, energetic vibe. Music is a big part of our workouts, so it usually feels like a party. You can expect coaches and studio staff to know you by name, ask about your family and geek out on your rowing stroke!
RP: What makes a workout at Row House unique from other studios?
JB: The welcoming team atmosphere is a big part of the magic. At Row House you’ll find competitive erg racers taking classes side by side with folks who are in their nineties…and athletes at every level in between! We also row synchronized—or together in “swing”—just like the pro rowing crews you see on TV. It makes for an amazing team experience. (Check out Coach Jen in action during a class at the Row House Pleasant Hill studio.)
RP: Best rowing workout jam?
JB: Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.”
RP: Favorite time of day to coach a class?
JB: Early Saturday mornings, when the rest of the world is still asleep.
RP: Personal rowing achievement you are most proud of?
JB: My most recent 2k time.
RP: Most useful tip for those just getting started on the erg? (Ed note: A true coach at heart, she provided three)
- Erase any self doubt. Anybody and everybody can row, including you!
- Be forgiving of yourself: You are guaranteed not to do it perfectly on your first workout. Aim for progress, not perfection.
- Compare your split times only to your OWN previous splits…not someone else’s.
Coach Jen Bauer leading an indoor rowing class at Row House. RP: Something you think many people don’t know or realize about indoor rowing?
JB: Most of your rowing power comes from your legs and core. It’s a common misconception that the upper body is the main force in this sport, but it’s not.
RP: How do you find using a rowing seat pad impacts a rower’s form on the erg?
JB: In my experience, the seat cushion makes rowing more accessible to people with widely varying body types. It assists newer rowers in improving their form. When the hips are slightly elevated, you can find a stronger catch position because you can reach over your knees without compromising the spine/shoulders and without disengaging the core.
But the better angle and sustained core engagement one gets from a seat pad can help any rower achieve a more efficient and powerful stroke. Ultimately, it lets you work harder for longer periods of time, building endurance: More sweat, more speed, more meters, stronger body.
When you’re more efficient, you get more meters with less effort.
Jen BauerRP: What do you like, in particular, about the seat pads Rowing Pad makes?
JB: What I love about Rowing Pads is that they not only provide extra comfort, but the “lift” they offer is unique. Most other cushions compress over time. Rowing Pad is made of a dense material that does not seem to collapse: The “shim” effect that happens on day one is the same effect the rower will have after hundreds of sessions. Form improves and is not compromised again. I’ve not found this consistent level of support in any other product. Rowing Pads also come in multiple thicknesses so the rower can choose the one that gives them the most comfort/best position for their body.
RP: What are your top 3 most used coaching phrases when you are leading a class?
- “Form first, power second!”
- “We are making decisions with Every. Single. Stroke.”
- “Yes, you can!”
RowingPad Is Now Offering Personalization Services on All Pads
Guess what? RowingPad is now offering personalization services on all pads! Add your name to your pad and you’ll easily spot it on the dock. Part of a rowing club, crew team, or indoor rowing studio? Contact us to discuss special bulk pricing and engraving options for logos, team names, and more.
Email us at sales@rowingpad.com to add custom personalization services to your order.
Get to Know RowingPad, Part 1: Meet the Cult Favorite Rowing Pad Brand Designed for Rowers by Rowers
Want to know more about the elite rowing pad brand that has become the favorite of Olympic athletes, collegiate coaches, and indoor rowing professionals across the country? We would love to share a few interesting facts about our history, our team, our products, and our mission to contribute to the sport we love so much.
DID YOU KNOW? RowingPad was founded by a Northeastern Rowing alum.
Our #GettoknowRP series begins with our founder, Victor Pisinski, who was a member of the men’s rowing team at Northeastern (1968-’71) and a bronze medalist on the 1971 Pan Am Team. Victor spent his college mornings out on the Charles with his crew mates, including his roommate and dear friend, the late rowing coach Larry Gluckman; All-American Rowing Camp founder and rowing legend Jim Dietz; Olympic silver medalist Calvin Coffey; and Gentle Giant Moving Company and lifelong competitive rower and CRASH-Bs winner Larry O’Toole, among many other wonderful people who have become key figures in the rowing world. Many of these talented rowers would become lifelong friends as well as close advisers as Victor’s idea for RowingPad took shape. #howlinhuskies
DID YOU KNOW? RowingPad calls lovely New Hampshire home.
Where are RowingPad’s boat and erg seat pads designed and manufactured? In the heart of rowing country, the great state of New Hampshire!
We love New England and find great inspiration in its many beautiful waterways—from the Cocheco and the Oyster to the Merrimack and the Squamscott, as well as many rivers both along the New Hampshire seacoast and in among the mountains—and excellent local rowing clubs.
DID YOU KNOW? RowingPad is proud to be an American small business.
At RowingPad, we are especially proud to produce all of our products here in America. Design, materials, manufacturing, marketing, shipping—all facets of our business take place on U.S. soil and with U.S. partners.
DID YOU KNOW? Our seat pads come in varying thicknesses—5MM, 10MM, 20MM, 30MM.
No rower is one-size-fits-all, so it follows that seat pads shouldn’t be either.
RowingPad produces boat and erg cushions in a variety of thicknesses, ranging from our slim 5MM shim pad, which is perfect for adjusting rower height in the boat, to our 30MM boat and erg pads that provide maximum comfort and plenty of height for rowers looking to adjust their geometry.
DID YOU KNOW? ROWINGPAD USES HIGH-QUALITY TECHNICAL-LEVEL FOAM FOR OUR SEAT PADS.
When it comes to seat cushions, material matters. For a long-lasting, super-durable product, RowingPad manufactures our pads from high-quality technical foam. It’s resilient, comfortable, and—bonus!—it floats. (Want to know how to care for your trusty RowingPad boat or erg pad? Read our guide here.)
Come back soon for more cool facts about the RowingPad brand as we continue our “Get to Know RowingPad” series. You can keep tabs on our new products, as well as special sales and promotions, by following us on Instagram or Facebook and subscribing to the RowingPad newsletter.
The 56th Annual Head of the Charles Is Finally Here!
…Kicking Off with Rowing Legend Jim Dietz
Every year we look forward to the Head of the Charles with the most wonderful blend of enthusiasm, nostalgia, and pride. The rowing community that turns out for this annual race is truly incredible. We count ourselves lucky to be a part of it. Some years our excitement is tenfold, because one of us will be racing in one of the regatta’s many events.
For 2021, which will be officially counted as year 56, we at RowingPad are proud for both those reasons, plus another especially great one: Our friend Jim Dietz will be rowing in his 55th installment of HOCR. That’s right…he has rowed in the historic fall head race every single year save one. What’s more, he will be bow marker #2, second out of the starting gate on Friday, October 22, kicking off an event that many rowers have been looking forward for longer than usual this time around.
A Remarkable Rowing Career
If you are new to the world of competitive rowing or more keyed in to the indoor rowing scene, you might not be familiar with the name Jim Dietz. But for the many athletes who rowed crew in college or compete in the masters circuit, it is certainly one that carries with it major renown and respect.
Since his debut as a teenager in the Head of the Charles in 1965, the first year the event was held, Dietz has blazed quite a path through the rowing universe. At HOCR alone, he has won the championship single a record seven times. He has also claimed victories in the masters single, the senior masters, and the veterans categories, plus numerous championship doubles wins.
Beyond the banks of the Charles, he was part of three Olympic teams (1972, 1976, 1980) and seven World Championship teams. He has won more than 45 national titles, and captured medals at the Pan American Games in 1967, 1975, 1979 and 1983. He was inducted into the National Rowing Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2015. There are many more accolades to list, to be sure!
Jim started his coaching career at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and moved on to coach the U.S. Coast Guard Academy for 12 years. He then took up the head coach position at UMass-Amherst, where he developed a first-rate women’s crew program over the course of 24 years. Under his direction, the Minutewomen dominated regular-season racing and captured an outstanding 16 Atlantic 10 Championships. He currently operates a traveling rowing camp and clinic company, which he co-founded, called the All-American Rowing Camp, bringing top-rate rowing training to locations across the U.S. and Europe.
Read more about Jim’s path to rowing greatness and many accomplishments along the way—with more to come!—on the CRCA website and in this Boston.com article from 2012, with a title that speaks volumes: “Jim Dietz’s trip to the first Head of the Charles in 1965 led him to Olympics and Hall of Fame.”
A Key Figure in RowingPad’s History
When we say our pads are designed for rowers by rowers, we mean it. The minds that have contributed to RowingPad’s unique design and high-performance materials include some of the sport’s most insightful people: rowing coaches. It was during Jim Dietz’s time on the men’s crew at Northeastern University, where he was also named to the Hall of Fame, that he met RowingPad LLC’s founder and fellow Huskies crew member, Victor Pisinski. The two remain close friends to this day.
In fact, it was Jim who sparked the idea to make a version of RowingPad’s original erg pad for the boat. He had seen and tested RowingPad’s original erg pad, and at the time he thought it would be of enormous aid to the female athletes training with him at the University of Massachusetts. He wondered if a version could be made for the boat. Our founder got to work, designing what would become one of our top-selling products, the 20MM Boat Pad.
Look for RowingPad at HOCR 2021
Though it’s nowhere close to the track record held by Mr. Dietz, Victor Pisinski has his own not-too-shabby history of appearances at HOCR. This year he returns to the Charles, rowing with a crew of fellow Northeastern University alums in the Men’s Grand Master Eights event, on Saturday, October 23.
As you can see in the photo below from Victor’s 2016 HOCR race, his team usually wears their traditional NU racing colors. However this year the crew will be rowing in special commemorative shirts created to honor the memory of their dear friend, fellow Husky Larry Gluckman. (Read more about the late rowing coach and accomplished oarsman here and learn how to donate to the scholarship founded in his name.)
It should be a joyful return to the Charles River for these veterans. As Jim said in the Boston.com article mentioned above, “I can’t tell you how many of my roommates and teammates are getting back into it. That’s the great thing about this regatta and about our sport. It’s a lifetime sport.’’
If you see Victor out and about over the course of the weekend, be sure to say hello and ask to test out a RowingPad while you’re at it!
RowingPad founder Victor Pisinski at the head of the boat, with his fellow Northeastern University alums during HORC 2016. How to Care for RowingPad Boat and Erg Pads
Any rower who frequents a local boathouse or belongs to a collegiate rowing team knows equipment care and maintenance is a critical aspect of participating in the sport. We at RowingPad consider ourselves lucky to be among the essential training gear for thousands of rowers across the country, and even around the world. As more rowers discover our pads, we want to get the word out about the best ways to treat these very special pieces of rowing gear—boat and erg seat pads that provide ultimate comfort and improve rowing performance.
RowingPad seat pads are exceptionally durable, it’s true! Our technical-level polymer foam is of the highest quality. Each cushion is constructed with the utmost attention to detail and designed to withstand the elements and daily abuse that come with both indoor and on water rowing. (Have you tried our non-slip boat pads, which stay in place on the seat even in wet rowing conditions?)
That said, even our pads have their limits. We ask our customers to treat their pads with care. Follow these three simple tips to keep your boat or erg pad in excellent form, row after row.
Tip #1
Store your pad in a cool, dry place. (Avoid spaces that are subject to extreme temperatures and rain, like the car trunk or outside on your deck or patio.)
Tip #2
Wash your pad with mild soap and water. Please do not soak your pad for long periods of time. (This means no trips through the washing machine or stints as a pool tube stand-in.)
Our pads are designed to survive the occasional dip in the river—they even float!—but submerging them in water for long periods of time could, over time, cause the adhesive that holds those precious layers of cushy foam together to break down.
Tip #3
Do not tug on the comfort cutouts while sitting on your pad. Over time, this can cause the foam to tear.
If you tend to do a lot of adjusting before you finally settle in for a long set piece, try to remember to lift your rear first, then reposition your pad. It’s a small change, but it will go a long way in preserving the perfect shape of your backside’s nearest and dearest pal.
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Make a 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad Part of Your Indoor Training Regimen
Whether you are putting in the meters as you prep for a major fall head race or preparing for a successful season of indoor training, there is one essential ergometer accessory you must have at your side this fall and winter: a RowingPad 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad.
Our 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad, available in solid form or with comfort cutouts, is the holy grail of posterior comfort when it comes to rowing machine enhancements.
We’ve specifically engineered this cushion to protect your sitz bones from the pressure of working out on the erg. With three levels of technical-level polymer foam, stacked in a soft/medium/soft arrangement, it’s exceptionally forgiving. Yet its laminated outer layers grip the erg seat to keep you firmly in place while you are cranking away.
For a limited time only: Save 15% on all 30MM Triple Decker ErgPads. Three layers of RowingPad’s high-performance technical polymer foam can be yours for just $42.50!
Just like so many of our talented rowing friends and loyal customers have shared in the Praise section of our website or on social media, you, too, might find your form improves—whether that means better alignment, a more powerful drive, or a longer finish—with the extra boost in height on the seat.
Shop the sale now with our limited time discount. Through October 31, save 15% on your new 30MM Triple Decker ErgPad. Use the code “RPERG15” at checkout. Good luck, and may your long set pieces be effective and comfortable!
New England Fall Regatta Season Is in Full Swing!
Our annual round-up of key fall rowing races gets an update for 2021
We always look forward to September and October as the glory days of fall rowing in our region. From classic local regattas full of personality and heritage to the global highlight that is the Head of the Charles, there is truly a race for everyone and pretty much one for every weekend, if you just can’t get enough.
As supporters of rowers local (RowingPad is a proud sponsor of Great Bay Rowing’s juniors program) and international, we follow each of these autumnal events with equal enthusiasm and even, when we can, take part in some respectable masters and alumni racing.
After a somber season in 2020, a calendar packed with fall rowing events is more than welcome. Here are some excellent regattas taking place across New England for the remainder of fall 2021. We hope to see you at one or more!
The new Poughkeepsie Regatta picks up where the historic Intercollegiate Rowing Association Regatta (1895 – 1949) left off, along the majestic Hudson River. Photo courtesy of Hudson River Rowing Association. Poughkeepsie Regatta Head Race, October 2, 2021
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 new offering for the fall lineup this year consisting of a 5,000-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.
The Textile River Regatta, October 3, 2021
Though the October 3 Green Mountain Head Regatta in Putney, Vermont, was recently cancelled, rowers can still plan for action that weekend at the Textile River Regatta, in Lowell, Massachusetts. The website for this beloved annual event, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2019, proclaims, “Textile 2021 is ON. Same as 2019—only different!” The Covid-related changes for 2021 include a more limited offering of events, fewer spectating and launch areas, and caps on participants for some of the more popular races. But plenty of fun is still sure to be had at this vibrant head race on the Merrimack River in Lowell. 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. And as of this posting, spaces were still available for more entries, but registration closes on September 26, so make haste!
The Head of the Housatonic is one of the largest single-day regattas in the U.S. Photo courtesy of New Haven Rowing Club. Head of the Housatonic, October 9, 2021
Registration is now live on Regatta Central for this unique head race hosted by the New Haven Rowing Club at Indian Well State Park along Connecticut’s Housatonic River. Though spectators and the traditional tailgating are not permitted this year in an effort to keep all the athletes safe from Covid-19 as they compete, this is a fantastic event to participate in as a competitor or coach—with 70-plus clubs already signed up, it’s guaranteed to be some great fall racing.
We’ve seen plenty of New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts 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. At this popular annual event, 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 (or suffer the consequences, which are assessed in the form of 10-, 20-, and 60-second penalties). This race demands your full focus in more ways than one!
New Hampshire Championships George Dirth Memorial Regatta, October 17, 2021
What better way to warm up for one of the world’s most famous head races (HOCR) than with another intense, 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 open now.
RowingPad founder Victor Pisinski will be on site for HOCR 2021! Head of the Charles, October 22-24, 2021
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? Especially as HOCR makes its return after a dark 2020 due to the pandemic.
In fact, RowingPad’s founder, Victor Pisinski, a Northeastern rowing alum, has quite a streak of participation in the event, in which he debuted during year three. He will make his return to the river basin in the Men’s Grand Masters Eights taking place Saturday morning, accompanied by a crew of rowing compatriots eager to give it their all for 2021.
If you see him there, send him a “hurrah!” and ask to check out a RowingPad seat pad while you’re at it!
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RowingPad Remembers the Late Larry Gluckman
On March 30, 2021, the world and the rowing community lost one of its brightest guiding lights when Larry Gluckman passed, at age 74.
An accomplished oarsman and one of the sport’s most revered coaches, Larry was a three-time U.S. National Team member. Coach Gluckman was involved with rowing programs at Columbia, Northeastern, Princeton, Dartmouth, and Trinity. Larry also coached at the Olympic level, and most recently, he was the sculling coach at the Craftsbury Rowing Center in Vermont. These are only the broad strokes of an incredible legacy of leading by example, a passion for teaching and mentoring, community involvement, and commitment to family and friends.
A Treasured Advisor to RowingPad LLC
Larry was a lifelong friend and teammate of RowingPad’s founder, Victor Pisinski, at Northeastern. When the idea of creating a better rowing seat pad was considered, Larry was involved from the start. He provided invaluable insight into how a pad, when properly designed and used, can improve rowing performance. As a coach, he saw the potential for the right pad to become an integral part of training for youth, collegiate rowers, and elite athletes in the next competitive stages of their careers.
“I viewed rowing pads during my career as a cushion for comfort while rowing. Larry instructed me otherwise,” Victor said. “Proper height adjustment for the rower in the seat is as important as adjustments made to the boat itself.”
Paying Tribute to a Truly Inspirational Coach
The highlights, accolades, and accomplishments of Larry’s rowing career and coaching legacy have been covered in wonderful detail by several publications, including Rowing News and Sports Illustrated. The websites of the many colleges and rowing programs at which he became a legendary figure also paid tribute, each sharing personal recollections from colleagues and rowers who knew Larry over the years. (See the stories from Northeastern, Dartmouth, Trinity College, Columbia, and US Rowing.)
To gain a true sense of how much rowing was at the core of Larry’s soul is this lovely passage from his obituary, which paints a picture of our friend perfectly situated in his home state of Vermont, finding reward in a routine equal parts hard work and reflection:
On early spring mornings in the far northeast corner of Vermont you’d find Larry in a single boat circling Shadow Lake. Steam rising off the cold water as a pair of loons call back and forth. After more than 55 years of being an oarsman, these movements were second nature, ingrained into his body. He still tracked his progress, jotting notes about his performance into a small notebook. Millions and millions of meters rowed. A post-workout dip in the chilly water led to a cup of black coffee and a quiet hour on the front porch.
A friend, coach, teammate and all-around inspirational human being. He is, and will always be, sorely missed.
Supporting Future Rowers with the Larry Gluckman Scholarship
On Saturday, July 17, the Craftsbury Outdoor Center in Vermont will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Larry Gluckman. Friends, family, colleagues, and former students who attend will gather to share their favorite memories and honor the life of one of the best people to grace the sport and the world at large with his presence.
The Gluckman family has established a fund to help introduce more people to rowing. Recipients of the scholarship will be able to apply the awards to one of the Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s wonderful community rowing and sculling programs. If you would like to donate in Larry’s memory, please do so here. Your gift will allow a young rower the opportunity to enjoy the sport that brought Larry—and all of us—so much joy.
Ways to Celebrate Father’s Day 2021: Upcoming Regattas, Rowing Programs, and More
Our annual Father’s Day listing of great races to head to with your dad this summer is back for 2021! This year we’ve included current information about favorite annual regattas along with a few new ways to share in the excitement of rowing with the guy who raised you.
We may be (just a bit) biased, but in our opinion quality father-child bonding time doesn’t get much better than sharing in the energy and excitement of a day spent watching live competitive rowing. This time of year, the East Coast (which RowingPad calls home) is chock-full of prestigious, well-run events along some truly scenic waterways, not to mention some major annual events taking place a bit farther afield.
Why not enjoy a memorable family day at one of the seven summer regattas and rowing events we’ve rounded up below? Combine your outing with a special Father’s Day gift for your rowing patriarch: a new boat or erg pad. Is your pop following the #RowtoTokyo excitement? Make him the envy of his boat club with one of RowingPad’s elite-level boat pads featuring Anti-Slip Technology. A favorite training tool among some of today’s top pro rowers, the pads have a slip-resistant coating that provides stability even in wet or extra cold conditions. (They’ve even been spotted on the docks of the Olympic trials this spring!) If you’re shopping for a regular erg user, you can’t beat the quality and design of our ErgPads, available in several densities and with or without comfort cutouts.
1) June 19: The Schuylkill Navy Regatta
Philadelphia, PAStroll back in time as you check out the 15 boathouses, all at least a century old and home to the member clubs of the Schuylkill Navy, that make up historic Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River. A planned massive dredging effort of the iconic racing river, which began last summer, has stalled, but racing is still taking place this year. Though this early summer race is lower profile than some of the other annual fixtures that take place here (see regatta No. 2 on our list), it is rich with America’s rowing heritage and set in Philadelphia’s stunning Fairmount Park.
2) July 3 and 4: The Independence Day Regatta
Philadelphia, PAMake a Fourth of July pilgrimage to the birthplace of the nation—and the birthplace of American rowing. This annual regatta, one of several hosted by the Schuylkill Navy, dates back to the 1880s and figures prominently in the rich history of the sport in the U.S. Though restricted to just two days this year, the event, originally called “the People’s Regatta,” has grown into a major competition featuring upwards of 1,000 boats and numerous ancillary activities. Book a nearby hotel and spend a couple beautiful summer mornings along the historic Schuylkill River before staking out a post for Philadelphia’s own spectacular July 4th fireworks display.
3) July 13 to July 18: US Rowing Summer National Championships
Camden, NJIf your family includes teenagers or college students who are at all interested in racing, consider a trip to watch this year’s racing showcase for the most talented under 17, under 19, and under 23 athletes in the country. The US Rowing Summer National regatta, which also includes an open category for senior and elite rowers, features five days of competition on the seven-lane course along the beautiful Cooper River. (Check out the beautiful Camden County Boathouse in the park!) Stay in Philadelphia, just 18 miles from the Cooper River, to add some arts and culture to your trip or make a beach run east to the Jersey shore before or after all the rowing action.
4) July 31: Narragansett Boat Club Sweeps & Sculls
Providence, RIPlanning for a Brown crew alumnus? Check out the NBC’s annual Sweeps & Sculls regatta, an accessible, centrally located event to plan a family day around. This Rhody rowing club has a fascinating history (which you can read on its website) that will intrigue any passionate rower. The boathouse is perched right on the edge of the Seekonk River, in the Blackstone Park recreation area and upriver of the Brown boathouse. Graduates of that Ivy League rowing program can attest to the Seekonk’s strong currents and choppy waves—any race on this course is sure to be fun to watch.
5) August 11-15: Henley Royal Regatta
Henley-on-Thames, UKBring your patriotic spirit across the Pond for a summer escape to this most storied of rowing events. A milestone celebration for the truly passionate lifelong rower, a trip to England for this annual international regatta, which features more than 200 races, can’t be beat (Covid travel restrictions allowing). This year might see smaller crowds due to safety regulations and fewer entries by some school and university boat clubs due to the August timing, but it’s still sure to be an excellent few days of racing. Remember to pack your pinstripes (the dress code remains quite strict) and prepare to soak in all of the wonderfully quaint riverside rowing tradition.
6) August 12-15: US Rowing Masters National Championships
Oak Ridge, TNLooking to head south this summer? Don’t miss the opportunity to road trip to beautiful Melton Lake, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This picturesque rowing venue, the home base for the Oak Ridge Rowing Association, will host a major event for the very passionate Masters rowing community in this year’s US Rowing Masters National Championships. Cheer on Masters rowers of all ages from across the country as they compete in more than 200 categories. With Melton Lake’s 30 miles of calm water surrounded by towering mountain ranges, it’s sure to be a memorable setting for excellent racing, spirited spectating, and lakeside sunsets.
7) Ongoing, Indoor Rowing Classes
Locations Near YouMaybe your dad is less of an on-water rower and more into the ergometer. Join forces for the day (or make a commitment to meet up for a weekly class) and motivate each other for a personal best. Indoor rowing studios across the country offer first-rate instruction from experienced rowers along with innovative ways to get your muscles pumped and your mind focused. In the New England region, we love Power Rowing, in Brookline, Massachusetts, right outside Boston, which offers a great assortment of straight rowing and combo classes. (Read our interview with Power Rowing’s inspirational founder, Bryan Fuller.) Bonus: You can scoop up a new RowingPad for Dad at the studio to add some extra comfort to his workouts.
A very happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there—on the boat or off!
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.