promoting inclusion and accessibility for all rowers, regardless of gender identity.

Since 2022, Steady State Network has raced as Allies with Oars to promote inclusion and accessibility for all rowers, regardless of gender identity. We do this by pulling together competitive lineups for major regattas including USRowing Masters Nationals and Head of the Charles. In 2024, Allies with Oars crews also participated in Race Around the Rock, a coastal race in British Columbia, Canada.

The Allies with Oars initiative is part of our larger mission to expand the narrative about rowing culture. We were honored to receive USRowing’s 2023 Anita DeFrantz Award, recognizing an individual or organization achieving measurable success in expanding diversity opportunities in rowing.

Be an Allies AMBASSADOR

We know you’re out there:

  • Trans and non-binary rowers, coaches, and coxswains

  • Parents, family members, and allies of trans and non-binary rowers, coaches, and coxswains

  • People committed to inclusion and accessibility for all rowers, regardless of gender identity

  • Enthusiastic and engaged members of the rowing community with active lives on social media

  • Erg scores and medal hauls rank low on our priority list

Benefits of membership:

  • Exclusive access and discounts on limited edition Allies Ambassador gear

  • Access to the Allies with Oars online store + a HeadSweats hat for each member

  • Monthly Ambassador spotlights in Steady State Network newsletter and socials

  • Ambassador take-overs of socials on regatta days

Learn about gender inclusion policy

  • Dr. Mary O'Connor

    Fighting to Save Women’s Rowing

    LISTEN

  • Coach Ann Strayer

    On Inclusion and Self-Worth in Rowing

    LISTEN

  • Coach Kevin Harris

    On the Importance of Embracing Diversity

    LISTEN

  • Challenging the Binary

    Making a New Lane in Rowing

    LISTEN

MAKING WAVES. GETTING NOTICED.

In 2022, our first Allies with Oars crew took on the Directors’ Challenge Mixed8+ at the Head Of The Charles Regatta. It was comprised of trans, nonbinary, gay, queer, and straight ally athletes. Our mission caught the attention of VICE News, which produced a segment about us for Queer Sports. Click play above to watch the video, which is part of a longer episode about queer athletes and the power of activism.