The Foundation for Rowing Education

Helping Disadvantaged Kids Suit Up For Rowing

Northampton, MA, 1 June 2009 - JL, the premier rowing clothing manufacturer, and the Foundation for Rowing Education are asking the rowing community to help deserving youth participate in our sport. JL and FRE will distribute used rowing clothing in good condition to rowing outreach programs around the country. Rowers donating clothing to this project will earn a 25% discount on JL purchases.

One challenge in setting up a rowing program for those who lack financial resources is that these young athletes often lack appropriate clothing to wear on the water. The Foundation for Rowing Education’s national outreach initiative, Row4All, helps rowing outreach programs solve problems like this. Row4All staff will work with JL to get the donated clothing to the programs whose kids need it most.

To make a donation and receive 25% off on stock purchases from JL, bring used rowing clothing to any JL regatta booth or send to Race in JL, 3425 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103. Clothing must be in good wearable condition, and must be rowing specific. The discount can be applied to web store purchases or for items in the JL regatta booth. Please include contact information with clothing. Email evie@jlracing.com with any questions regarding donations or discounts.

To inquire about receiving donated clothing for your organization’s youth outreach program, email margot@rowingeducation.org.

JL is a family-owned business, run and staffed by athletes, with a strong commitment to the rowing community. For over 25 years, we have been designing, engineering, and manufacturing technical training and racing clothing for rowers. Visit JL at www.jlracing.com.

The Foundation for Rowing Education is a non-profit organization that provides education and safety programs and outreach services in the sport of rowing. Row4All, its national outreach initiative, was developed by a team of coaches, rowers, and youth development experts. Row4All’s mission is to expand the scope and impact of rowing programs committed to reaching diverse populations of underserved youth.

Concept2 Partnership Aims to Help Underserved Youth through Rowing

Northampton, MA, 20 March 2009 – The Foundation for Rowing Education’s youth outreach program, Row4All, is partnering with Concept2, the leading manufacturer of indoor rowers, to develop indoor rowing programs for underserved elementary, middle school and high school children. Working directly in communities struggling with economic hardship and with minority populations that often lack access to effective fitness programs, Row4All will refine a pilot program model that can be adopted by organizations across the US.

Row4All will begin by creating an indoor rowing program in Western Massachusetts, at a site convenient for urban youth. Fun, music-filled indoor rowing workshops will introduce adolescents to a physical activity that involves the whole body, teamwork, and is a good introduction to the sport of rowing.

Childhood obesity has been described as an “epidemic” in the US, and it is a particular problem in impoverished and minority communities. Together, Row4All and Concept2 will bring an innovative approach to fitness directly to the neighborhoods where it is most needed.

Indoor rowing has gained popularity over the last several years as an individual sport. It has its own competitions and is easily accessible, in gyms, schools and clubs. Rowing machines track fitness levels and strength, making it easy to establish benchmarks and set goals. Setting up an indoor rowing program is within the reach, financially and logistically, of most organizations.

Concept2 has created an indoor rowing program model for schools that integrates rowing into physical education classes and academics. Row4All works with rowing organizations to expand the scope and impact of rowing programs that are committed to reaching diverse populations of underserved youth.

Concept2 was founded by Dick and Peter Dreissigacker in 1976. Fresh from Olympic training, the two brothers designed and manufactured carbon fiber racing oars, then went on to create the world’s first airresistance indoor rower. For more information about Concept2, visit concept2.com.

The Foundation for Rowing Education is a non-profit organization founded in 2004 to serve the rowing community by providing education and safety programs and outreach services to all participants in the sport. FRE serves the national rowing community: regions, clubs, schools, and individuals across the United States. For more information about the Foundation for Rowing Education, contact FRE Executive Director Margot Zalkind at margot@rowingeducation.org, or visit http://www.rowingeducation.org/row4all.html.

San Diego Crew Classic Partners with Foundation for Rowing Education to Educate Coxswains

Northampton, MA, 18 February 2009 – San Diego Crew Classic, internationally recognized as one of the finest regattas in the world, has asked the Foundation for Rowing Education to provide comprehensive workshops for coxswains throughout the event. This partnership with FRE marks the first time that SDCC has offered such training.

FRE will present workshops on site for novice as well as advanced coxswains. Workshops will include: Safety, The Eight Fundamentals of Race Coxing, The Glue of the Crew, and The Three Parts to the Perfect Call. Nielsen Kellerman (NK), the premier electronics manufacturer, will partner with FRE in delivering its innovative educational programs for coxswains and coaches. Individual evaluation of race and/or practice tapes will also be available throughout the regatta. The workshop schedule and additional information will be available at the regatta.

Showcasing over 3,400 athletes ranging from juniors to masters to Olympians, the San Diego Crew Classic is the largest multi-lane regatta for eights in the United States. The 36th annual San Diego Crew Classic takes place on April 4 and 5, 2009.

Foundation for Rowing Education Partners with Nielsen Kellerman

Northampton, MA, 16 February 2009 –The Foundation for Rowing Education (FRE) is pleased to announce that Nielsen Kellerman (NK), the premier electronics manufacturer, will partner with FRE in support of its innovative educational programs for coxswains and coaches.

NK and FRE share a deep commitment to safety on the water, and through this partnership will expand and improve the educational opportunities for coxswains, coaches, and rowers. NK will collaborate with FRE on a variety of projects and materials, including The Coxswain Encyclopedia, Coxswain Training and Coach the Coxswain workshops.

For thirty years, Nielsen-Kellerman has been known worldwide for its waterproof speed measurement, timing and audio systems for competitive rowers. Virtually every shell at the 2008 Beijing Olympic games carried NK equipment. Nielsen-Kellerman’s Kestrel Weather division has been researching, developing and manufacturing technically advanced portable weather instruments for over 10 years and owns multiple patents on their unique features.

For more information about the Foundation for Rowing Education, contact FRE Executive Director Margot Zalkind at margot@rowingeducation.org, or visit http://www.rowingeducation.org/.

Foundation for Rowing Education Announces Row4All, National Outreach Initiative

Northampton, MA
19 August 2008

The Foundation for Rowing Education (FRE) has launched Row4All, a national outreach initiative. Developed by a team of coaches, rowers, and other experts in youth development, Row4All’s mission is to expand the scope and impact of rowing programs that are committed to reaching diverse populations of under-served youth.

Working with rowing clubs and organizations across the country, Row4all will provide a national platform of key resources for both new and existing programs. Row4All will offer networking, instructional materials, professional development, and eventually funding for programs which emphasize youth development in the challenging context of rowing.

Row4All’s Advisory Board includes: Richard T. Butler, Executive Director of Three Rivers Rowing Association in Pittsburgh, PA; Montana Butsch, Executive Director, Founder and Coach of the Chicago Training Center (CTC); Kevin Harris, Head Coach of the University of Tulsa women’s rowing program; Ellen Minzner, Formerly of G-ROW, currently Community Development Manager for the city of Lawrence, MA, and Advisor and Head Women's Youth Coach for Greater Lawrence Rowing; Faith Pizor, Executive Director of the Wilmington (DE) Youth Rowing Association; Anne Teschner, Executive Director of The Care Center in Holyoke, MA, and founder of Rowing Strong, Rowing Together; Kenneth Wong, President of CIG Asia, Ltd., Managing Partner of SmithWong Associates, LLC, and President of the Philadelphia Dragon Boat Association. FRE Board member Jeb Rumbough is also working on this initiative.

The Foundation for Rowing Education, Inc. is a non-profit organization created in 2004 to provide educational opportunities for individuals and organizations to learn, develop, and excel in the sport of rowing while maintaining safe water practices. FRE serves the national rowing community: regions, clubs, schools, and individuals across the United States.

For more information about the Foundation for Rowing Education or Row4All, contact Executive Director Margot Zalkind at margot@rowingeducation.org, or visit http://www.rowingeducation.org/row4all.html.

John H. Dane Joins Foundation for Rowing Education Board
Northampton, MA
15 July 2008

The Foundation for Rowing Education (FRE) is honored to announce that former USRowing Executive Director John H. Dane has joined its Board of Directors.

John Dane has a long history of service to boaters of all kinds, including rowers, and a strong interest in safety on the water. As USRowing Executive Director from 2000 to 2005, he broadened services to the rowing community nationwide. During his tenure, USRowing experienced both record membership and event participation. In 2002, he re-established a rowing national team staff and, in 2004, accompanied the team to Athens, where the men won Olympic Gold in the Eights and the women won Olympic Silver in the Eights – the first such victories in several decades. He also founded the Hollenback Fund and the Victory Fund, which encourage individual and corporate donations to USRowing.

Prior to this, John developed and ran the state government relations program for the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) in Washington, D.C. and served as Managing Director for NMMA’s Foundation for Boating Safety. During that time, he also served as Chair of the National Safe Boating Council. He was awarded the Coast Guard Public Service Commendation in recognition of his work developing the Council’s National Safe Boating Week and diversifying the Council’s membership base.

Presently, he is Executive Director of the California State Firefighters Association. He is active in the California Society of Association Executives and was selected to chair their Professional Development Committee in July 2008.

He and his spouse Lisa reside in Gold River, California, about one mile from the rowing venue at Lake Natoma.

The Foundation for Rowing Education, Inc. is a non-profit organization created in 2004 to provide educational opportunities for individuals and organizations to learn, develop, and excel in the sport of rowing while maintaining safe water practices. FRE serves the national rowing community: regions, clubs, schools, and individuals across the United States.

For more information about the Foundation for Rowing Education, contact FRE Executive Director Margot Zalkind at margot@rowingeducation.org, or visit www.rowingeducation.org.

Foundation for Rowing Education Announces
US Coast Guard Grant
Northampton, MA
30 May 2008

The Foundation for Rowing Education, Inc. (FRE) has been awarded a major grant from the United States Coast Guard to expand its Safety Launch Training Program for rowing coaches. This program, established in 2007 through a U.S. Coast Guard seed grant, provides intensive education for launch drivers who need to handle motorcraft safely under the challenging circumstances of coaching crew shells. Certified by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), the Safety Launch Training Program is to be offered at locations around the country.

The U.S. Coast Guard makes grants to promote boating safety under the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971. Funds are given to programs that encourage safe boating practices for the general public, and which make important contributions to boating safety on a national level.

The Foundation for Rowing Education, Inc. is a non-profit organization created in 2004 to provide educational opportunities for individuals and organizations to learn, develop, and excel in the sport of rowing while maintaining safe water practices. FRE serves the national rowing community: regions, clubs, schools, and individuals across the United States.

For more information about the FRE Safety Launch Training Program and other programs, contact FRE Executive Director Margot Zalkind at margot@rowingeducation.org, or visit www.rowingeducation.org.