November Topic: Success Stories!

It's hard to believe that another competitve season on the water is finished!

Let's use this spot to share our success stories. For example, personal goals you have met, fun regatta stories, any of the positive things that you have gained from this season...end the season on a positive note.

PS: Happy Trails to you! See you at the "Deep Country" Happy Hour Thursday night 11/6 at the BrilloBox 6pm

Read More...

Congratulations to the TRRA Masters Women who competed at the 44th annual Head of the Charles Regatta this past weekend 10/18-19 in Boston, MA. The team had entries in the Women's Club 8+, Women's Masters 8+, and also two quads in the Directors Challenge.

The Club 8+ finished in 5th place after starting 43rd out of 45 in the bow draw. Sonya Berkovich coxed an extremely successful course passing 6 other crews while navigating the many turns and bridges. Their finishing time was 17:40.489 which secured a medal and a guaranteed entry for next year! The winning lineup included: Anne Nelson, Katie Spiker, Georgia Bullen, Jill Markl, Justine Aylmer, Franny Ritchie, Jenn Langzettel, and Kristin Boyle. Well done ladies!!!

The Masters 8+ finished in 22nd place and was coxed by Betsy Mills. The lineup included: Jen Brogan, Jackie Goldblum, Eva Szigethy, Luanne Suplick, Vern Keenan, Jeanne Odenheimer, Maureen Busis, and Joanne Anderson.

Eva Szigethy and Katie Stutz each sponsored Women's Quad entries for the Directors Challenge. They finished 4th and 6th respectively out of a field of 15! Ellen Romsaas stroked a quad for Avalon - Maidens of the Mist and also volunteered as a backup timer for Saturday's races.

Way to put the TRRA name out there Masters Women!! A lot of hard work and dedication was put into preparing for and executing this race by the rowers, coxswains, and Coaches Don Heckenstaller and Jeff Lowe. Please congratulate everyone as you see them around the boathouse.

Read More...

The changes to daylight savings time means more rows in the dark for us Morning Masters rowers. Whether you are a rower, coxswain, or steering a sculling shell you need to be aware of those giant metal red and green buoys out there on the river. They are not lighted so you should know of their general location as you navigate up and down the river.

This info has been neatly drafted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. I have included links to the Navigation Maps of the areas that we typically travel during practice. In addition, everyone should have attended the fall TRRA Safety Meeting and possess a standard level of river safety and navigation knowlege as it pertains to the Allegheny River and its traffic patterns.

If at any time you have been put into a situation and feel unsure about coxing, rowing, or steering it is your responsibility to use common sense and sound judgement to express this to your coach and boatmates prior to leaving the boathouse. Do not proceed onto the river and "wing-it" so to speak.

As far as the buoys are concerned - here are the maps. What you are looking for on there are the green and purple diamonds. The green diamonds represent the green buoys and the purple diamonds represent red buoys. The general rule is to stay "Right of RED" when going upstream and "Left of GREEN" when going downstream.

The masters women typically travel a consistent pattern upstream to Lock/Dam #2 (near the Highland Park Bridge) and return downstream past the end of Herr's Island. For this traffic pattern you will notice that there are 5 red buoys in the upstream direction (1 prior to the 62nd St. Br. and 4 after) and 3 green buoys downstream (all prior to the 40th St. Br).

Please take a few minutes to view the maps below. Clicking on an image will open a large readable version of the document.

Read More...

Everyone loves to bring home a little hardware from a race... but what do you do with it?

Get out your camera it's time for show n' tell. Feel free to post comments or better yet if you have photos send them to Jen B or Luanne and we'll post them right here for all to see your shining shrine of glory!!

To kick it off... here's where Jeanne O. keeps her medals!! Can anyone top this???

Here's Jeanne's story....I joined the Masters Womens team five years ago and have participated in quite a few races, both during the sprint season and head racing. I have been fortunate and enjoyed the fruits of competition. That is, the box of medals accumulating dust.

What to do with them??? The choices are numerous but it needed to be just the right one. I am certainly no interior decorator and few things in my house match what the designers like and approve. But I did want to display my accomplishment in a unique way. A shadow box with labels would be a quick and easy way, but just not unique enough for me.

One afternoon, the perfect display hit me! My husband is an avid hunter, enjoying his sport and displaying his trophies in a way that he can enjoy them. After “bagging” his second buck in as many years, he insisted on hanging them on the wall. Ding -- the light came on!! Why not just use the rack on the proud buck. It was perfect.

Race after race I proudly added my medals to my husband’s trophy. Unfortunately, the weight of all the medals has since pulled it off the wall. Fortunately, both the bucks are now hanging on the wall up at the hunting camp…where they should be. My medals are back in the box gathering dust until I come up with a new idea.

Read More...

September's Blog topic:

Now that our summer coxswains have left us to go back to school, we rowers are assigned to the coxswain's seat.

So what tips to you have from the coxswain's seat? Any pointers, advice, coxing information? What commands do you like to hear? What strategies should your coxswain provide?

What do the coxswains expect from the rowers? One Voice! Right? What else?

Post your comments below.

Thanks! Oh and "Way Enough!" Or is it "Weigh Enough?" (Ha ha ha :o) )

Read More...

Hey Masters Rowers...let's show our support of the HOTO & attend the kick-off party! Buy your tickets in advance!!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008
6pm to 9pm
Lambert Boathouse on Washington's Landing

Be the first to see the 2008 HOTO commemorative painting to be unveiled at the event. Take advantage of the only opportunity to purchase your copy personally signed by artist, Johno Prascak.

6:00 p.m. Enjoy cocktails and light hors d’oeuvres while mingling with friends
6:45 p.m. Welcome remarks from Donald Webber-Plank, Co-Chair, Head of the Ohio and Richard Butler, Executive Director, Three Rivers Rowing Association
6:55 p.m. Introduction of the artist by Susan Carlson, Co-Chair, Head of the Ohio
7:00 p.m. Unveiling of the 2008 painting by Johno Prascak
Prints personally signed by the artist will be available for purchase until 9 p.m. Food and drink will be served throughout the evening.

Johno Prascak is an exciting, up-and-coming, local artist with paintings in the NFL Hall of Fame and Steelers headquarters as well as a painting of the first President Bush in the Presidential Library. One of his works was featured in Will’s apartment on the TV show Will and Grace. See more of his compelling work at http://www.johnosart.com/.

Proceeds from this event benefit the Head of the Ohio and Three Rivers Rowing.

Read More...

August Topic

Who has caught this "virulent strain of athletic obsession?!" The internet has come a long way in 4 years - it's easy to catch great coverage of your favorite sports... like rowing ;-). Post your favorite highlights & talk about the Olympics here!!

Exclusive Summer Olympics news & widgets at NBC Olympics.com!

Read More...

July Topic:

Do you ever ask yourself as your morning alarm rings at 4:30 am--"Why do I do this to myself?"

Why do you row? Why do you get up BEFORE the chickens, shell out money for lessons, for regattas, take time off from work, arrive late on days you DO go to work, why, why, why? What's in it for you?

Please post your thoughts in the "comment" section below.

Happy Day! (Take your nap later!)


Photo by Max 7/13/2008, compliments of J.Buck

Read More...

There are a lot of good (and not so good) rowing videos out there. Go ahead and share them with us. Here are a few of my favorites:

Rowing footage set to Al Pachino's "inches" speech from Any Given Suday
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1fmZmKsL5eE



Nice 8+ carnage
http://youtube.com/watch?v=M0Oq2gi_p4Q

Read More...

June Blog Topic:


"Frustrated in Four Seat" writes:


Dear TRR Bloggers:


I really don't know what a good setting is for my oar height, my foot stretchers and the collar on my sculling oars!


I'd like some Q&A and hands on...."this is what will happen if you don't have enough spacers.....when all 8 are in the boat but not moving, your rigging might seem to be at the perfect height, but once you get moving, the boat lifts out of the water and you might miss water if you have too many spacers on...."


I know it will change from boat to boat. How do I consistently determine what a good setting is for me in any boat?


Please post your comments below in the "comment" section.


Have a great day! Enjoy the weather--I think summer has finally arrived!

Read More...

With our first race upon us--We thought this would be a good first topic to blog about. What tips can you provide to our team to be prepared for a successful regatta weekend? Post your comments below in the "comment" section.

Thanks! Have a great day!

Read More...

This past weekend, Men's Masters took to the great outdoors, camping at the Scarlett Knob Campground and rafting the Lower Youghiogheny River.
Our fun was a true team effort led by Supreme Organizer & Firewood Gatherer Matt Loughren.

Weekend photos can be viewed courtesy of Official Photographer John Buck, a.k.a. Omelete Chef Extraordinaire, Admiral White Gas Firestarter & Captain of Firewood Placement "for later in the night".

Almost everything about our weekend involved WATER -lots and lots of water (appropriate for a rowing team no?). Despite several incredible booming thunderstorms, complete with fantastic displays of lightning, we stayed both warm AND dry thanks to Campfire General Herb Cohen who masterfully and strategically "directed and delegated" all operations involving our campfire (except, of course, anything to do with the work involved w/ gathering and preparation of the woodpile). Herbie also brought the Cohen Family Canopy, without which our time spent together would have been drastically different. Without the Cohen Family Canopy, we might just have had to...well, i'm not exactly sure what we would have done, but I can guarantee it likely would not have involved staying at the campground much less cooking dinner and sitting around the campfire.

Speaking of which, the team ate well thanks to Asst. Quartermaster Steven Carr's organic appetizers, Chief Quartermaster Steven Irwin's main course contributions (not organic) and Dinner Chef Extraordinaire Bill Anderson, a.k.a. Master Firewood Pile Assembler. Chef Bill whipped up a meal, the likes of which we've never seen before on Masters Rowing Outings. Needless to say, everyone was happy with full bellies and no one went to bed hungry. Much to the camp's delight, our bed of coals provided all the heat for s'mores (toasted mellows betwixt graham crackers w/ a chunk of chocolate) provided by Ass. Firewood Gather/Firewood Pile Assembler/Campfire Lieutenant Donald W-P.
We also were, at no point EVER during our trip, in any danger of being dehydrated thanks to the cases and cases and cases upon cases of water procured by Special Agent Waterboy, Jeff Boldt. Many beverages were consumed, the bulk of which provided by Special Forces "I rode my mtn. bike 75 miles uphill both ways" Tom Hudak; the tastiest of which was Gator McCoy's (of the world renown Surreal McCoy's) special Woodford Reserve Bourbon.

Sunday we were joined by General Nostradamus "there's no way we're going to fall out of this raft" Chris Ryan for an exhilarating whitewater experience down the Lower Fork of the Youghiogheny River. Let's just say that when we launched, the water level was 8.3 feet. When we finished, the river was above the legal limit for guided rafting of 10.0 ft. With normal trip duration of 3-4 hours, we finished in just under one hour. We were like a national team octuple, roaring down the river right up until the very last rapid. Just prior, Steven "Gator" Irwin switched to "point" (that seat at the front/bow of the boat where one takes the brunt of all waves rapids and walls of raging waters) with Chris "Nostradamus- we're not going over" Ryan. Coming into the last rapid, the last enormous wall of water smacked Irwin like a domino, lifting him up off his seat and swooshing him, along with DWP and Ryan behind, unceremoniously into the Yough. It was absolutely FANTASTIC.

Well done men- excellent times had by all!

Read More...

Head Coach Don Heckenstaller (right) and Assistant Coach Jeff Lowe (left) are the new coaches of the Masters Women's team. Well...they're not that new - they've been coaching the women since January 2008! They are filling the shoes of Donald Webber-Plank who served as the women's team coach for 7+ years and still coaches the Masters Men's team.

Don Heckenstaller has 30+ years of rowing experience and 14 years of coaching experience. He most recently was the assistant coach for the varsity & novice women at the University of Pittsburgh during their 2006/2007 season. Prior to that he coached at North Allegheny High School from 1993 – 2006. During his tenure, his boats have achieved numerous gold medals at prestigious national regattas. In 2006 he coached a Junior Women’s quad to a win at the Junior National Trials and they represented the United States in the Junior Worlds in the Netherlands. As a rower he received many medals including three Gold Medals in the Lightweight Single, and four Gold Medals in the Mixed Double at Master’s National regattas. As a college rower he was a member of the Freshman 8+ at Florida Institute of Technology that won a Gold Medal at the prestigious Dad Vail regatta.

Jeff Lowe has 20 years of coaching experience. He was the Head Coach for the Duquesne University Women's Team in 1986, when the program was established as a club sport, through 2002. He is responsible for shaping that program into the highly successful & competitive program it is today.

The women's team is proud to have Don & Jeff as our coaches. We are looking forward to working with them for many years to come!

Read More...

The HOTO website is up and running!

Please take a look! Let me know what you think and/or if you see anything that doesn't look quite right or is broken in your browser.

Thanks to those who sent me photos for the slideshow. Credit has been given on the Contacts & Credits page.

The 22nd Annual Head of the Ohio Regatta will be held on Saturday September 27th, 2008.

Read More...

Does anyone want to join me in a double this Fun Friday? I signed out a double for Friday. Send me an e-mail and let me know!

Lu

Read More...

Nice rowing for all those that participated yesterday. We had a fairly large contingent with 10 shells on the water. Surprisingly, there was a lot of smack talk from the women this week, accompanied by some fierce competition and speed.
Top shell on the water for the morning was the mixed 2x with Zuzanna striking a ferocious stroke rating with Coach Don H gleefully matching her fast hands. As they charged down the river, moving people out of their way, no doubt the entire women's contingent couldn't help but wonder if maybe Zuzanna & Don shouldn't handicap themselves with a more "measured" rating accompanied with some reasonable pause drills.
Fierce competition continued from 2007's season between the 2x duo's of Carlson/Folan against the Suplick/Goldblum. (Suplick/Goldblum somehow not only snagged the coveted "Jane 2x" but also showed up rowing their NEW C2 Oars WOW!!!
Katie Spiker showed the entire group, for second week in a row, that women can indeed dominate with a 1x.
Jeff and Jason, in the 2-, evidently had a faulty battery with their onboard GPS unit as their course was "varied & adventurous" at best. However, they confidently left no part of the river unexplored
In men's 1x, much to the delight (and a hint relief) of Chris Ryan, Steve Carr, selflessly, tested the water temperature. Finally Steve Martino continued to leave a blazing trail of fire in his wake.

Rowers:
women's 1x: Katie Spiker.
men's 1x's: Steve Carr, Steven Martino, Chris Ryan & Donald W-P.
women's 2x's: Jenn Brogan & Megan Kuehm, Luanne Suplick & Jackie Goldblum, Susan Carlson & Sally Folan.
mixed 2x: Zuzanna Matouskova & Don Heckenstaller.
2-: Jeff Boldt & Jason Monnell.

Read More...

For anyone still thinking about Pedal Pittsburgh--here is the link for registration.
http://www.pedalpittsburgh.org/For_Riders.htm
There was NOT enough interest to register as a group--if you are interested--get your INDIVIDUAL registration in by the deadline of May 5th for the better pricing.
Those interested in the 25 mile ride can gather up at the Station Sq. start 30 minutes prior to the official start.
Thanks!
Wendy

Read More...

This morning, 6 scullers (Bill Anderson, Lee Kulinna, Steven Martino, Chris Ryan, Katie Spiker and I) took to the Allegheny River with the first of many "Fun Fridays". The water was flat, sunrise amazingly beautiful and Martino gave me a schooling in two of three pieces!!!

Fun Friday's are for all rowers (1x's, 2x's and/or 2-'s) who want to have fun and practice rowing fast. The Fun Friday format allows for all levels of experience and speed to participate. The goal is to practice racing. Don't think you need to be in tip top shape or form in order to show up.

There is no substitute for showing up. The best way to improve ones water speed and abilities is to practice against others. In the past, it's not been uncommon to have upwards of 15+ shells out there.

We meet every Friday, warmed up, above the 40th Street bridge @ 6:00 AM and return back to the docks by 7:00 AM. The morning generally begins with a warm-up piece to assess general and relative speeds. Three to six odd pieces of varying lengths follow with the faster rowers starting after those that are slower. The slower rowers race to stay ahead with the faster rowers trying mightily to catch up. Everyone achieves practice, racing in competitive conditions while dealing with common variables such as steering, passing, being surrounded by other shells & their puddles, varying water conditions ect.

Again, all are welcome. Pass the good word and invite all your buddies.
If necessary, be sure to reserve your shell in advance with the reservation log. As always, sign out the shell on the Safety Log before launching and sign back in when returning to the dock.

Hope to see everyone out on the water next Friday morning.

ps: martino, i'm gunning for ya!

Read More...

Our very own Jeff Burke completed the Boston Marathon yesterday (his first) in 4:18:51. Even more impressively, he exceeded his fundraising goal, raising $2,747 for nutrition and fitness research at the Friedman School at Tufts University.

Way to go Jeff- we're really proud of you, your awesome accomplishment and your dedication to the social cause.

If you want to read more about Jeff's training experiences and more, visit his Tufts Marathon Challenge page:
http://www.tuftsmarathonchallenge.com/runners/default.aspx?runner=6629

Read More...

Just one more thing...check out the TRRA website...Vern is April Volunteer of the Month. Here's the write up in case you missed it. Way to go!

"Vern Keenan is an active and enthusiastic member of Three Rivers Rowing. She began her rowing career in Toronto, Canada in her early twenties where she was appointed captain of the team. At Three Rivers, Vern began rowing for the Alcoa corporate team 6 years ago where she has dedicated much of her time to volunteering and also serving as captain. Vern continued her service as she joined the Masters Women’s team 2 years ago. She was driven and volunteered her time as one of the co-captains for the Masters Women. During this time, she continued to organize her schedule such that she could find time to be a positive influence as she assisted Devon in coaching rowers during the Winter Rowing League training in the evenings. Here she continued to demonstrate her knowledge and skills while helping others

Vern is a mother of 2 children and works full time. She regularly attends practices with the Masters Women team and finds time to manage additional workouts on the “off’ days to maintain her fitness. She is an asset to any group. Vern will always bring her high motivation, smile and enthusiasm to any situation and make it a better experience for all.

Thanks Vern!!!!

Read More...