Head of the Charles Announcing Committee co-chair, USRowing Para High Performance Director, and Massachusetts native Ellen Minzner. From walk on at Villanova to 5-time National Team member, to her transition into coaching and program development Ellen saw the long game: changing the status quo of her clubs, organizations, and communities. She also gives a peek behind the curtains at the world’s premier annual rowing competition - the Head of the Charles - from her vantage point in the announcers booth on top of Cambridge Boat Club.

When Sophie Brown wanted to learn to row, a coach asked her “Why would you do this if you are disabled?” Her reply: “Why not?” More than a decade later, a drive to find the perfect stroke has brought her two Henley wins. She’ll be checking off a bucket list item when she crosses the pond to race a PR2 mixed double at the 2022 Head of the Charles.

GCRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to providing its diverse membership with safe sculling and sweep rowing opportunities. Today, it’s home to 145 members across masters and adaptive rowing programs.

Tara and Rachel ask the analytical guys behind Science of Rowing –Will Ruth, Blake Gourley, and Joe DeLeo – to reminisce about high school regattas, injuries, and finding direction in life outside the boat. They also tell us about their November initiative to support the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund.

Plus the Best Part of Your Rowing Week calls from grey whale-spotting Rod Sternagle, South African club founder and rower Val Blacking, and masters rower Jen Huffman, granddaughter of Joe Rantz.