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Introducing the 2007 U.S. Indoor Rowing Team

Congratulations to the members of the U.S. Indoor Rowing Team! The team will travel to Dresden, Germany to compete in the European Indoor Rowing Championships on Saturday, December 15, 2007. The team members were members of the U.S. Indoor Rowing Development Squad and trained throughout the summer under the guidance of coaches Larry Gluckman and Linda Muri, or their own coaches. They all rowed a 2000 meter test piece at the end of October and had to meet standards based on past results at the European Indoor Rowing Championships to qualify for the sponsored trip. For more information about the race, please visit http://concept2.de/343.html.

Meet the 2007 Coaching Staff Larry Gluckman Larry's love for the sport of rowing blossomed at Northeastern University under the direction of the renowned coach, G. Ernest Arlett. Before graduation, Larry earned a seat in the Vesper coxless-four that captured the bronze medal at the World Championships in Vichy, France. Following graduation and an assignment in the Peace Corps, Larry resumed his international racing experience. He earned a seat in the 1973 National Eight that competed at the World Championships in Moscow. This was followed by the 1975 coxed-four and being appointed to the 1976 Olympic Team. Larry's coaching career began at Columbia University as Head Coach of Crew. Then, it was back to Northeastern University as assistant coach. In 1984, Larry was appointed Head Coach of Crew at Princeton University. There, his crews battled for top honors in the EARC. Upon the retirement of Coach Peter Gardner, Larry relocated in Hanover, NH and commanded the Dartmouth program. Larry accepted the position of Marketing Representative at Concept2 where he was known as "Coach" until 2003. In September "Coach" became Men's Head Coach at Trinity College—Hartford, CT. At the international level, Larry was Assistant Coach for the 1975 Pan American Team, 1980 Olympic Coach for the women's double-scull and coxless-pair, 1981 World Championship women's coxed-four and 1984 Olympic women's coxed-four. Linda Muri A nine-year member of the U.S. Rowing National Team and a three-time World Champion, Linda Muri is beginning her sixth year as the coach of Harvard Freshman Lightweight Crew. Linda spent her first two years as a lightweight on the National Team as a sculling spare before switching disciplines to sweep in 1994, becoming a World Champion in the lightweight four. In 1995, she went on to become only one of three rowers in the previous twenty-five years to win back-to-back gold medals in the same event. In 1997, she won a silver medal at the World Championships in the lightweight pair, and earned bronze in 1998. In August 1999, she won her third World Championship and first in the lightweight pair. She again represented the United States at the World Championships in 2000 as a member of the lightweight quad. She has won 18 National Championships, competing in the open quadruple, double, and single sculls, 500m dash, open pair and four, and lightweight eight, four, pair, quad, double, and single. In addition, she has five Head of the Charles championships to her name and is the owner of two CRASH-B Sprints hammers. Originally from Woburn, MA, Linda graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. In 1997, she completed her Masters degree in Education from Harvard University. Linda's prior coaching experience includes four years at the Middlesex School, interim Novice coach at Simmons College, Community Rowing Inc., and the Craftsbury Sculling Center. In addition, she spent three years as the Freshman Lightweight Coach at Cornell where she led her first freshman eight to a silver medal at the 1999 Eastern Sprints. More recently, Muri coached her first freshman eight to a gold medal at the 2004 Eastern Sprints, winning her first Gary W. Kilpatrick Cup. This was also Harvard's first win in the lightweight freshman eight since 1985. Muri served as an assistant with the U.S. Junior National Team coaching the 4- and 2- at the Junior World Championships (2004, 2005) and went on to coach the U.S. Lightweight Men's 4- in the 2006 Under-23 World Championships.

The members of the team are:

Pamela Raila, 47

I started sweep rowing in 1994 at Saugatuck Rowing Club and took up sculling (1x) seriously in the fall of 2002—working with GMS Head Coach Guenter Beutter. Major first place finishes:

• 1997 Head of the Charles (Club 4+)—Set course record (still stands today)
• 2003 US Nationals—Intermediate Lightweight Quad
• 2004 CRASH-B’s—Women’s Lightweight (40+)
• 2006 Head of the Charles—Master Women’s Double

Professional Background—Aquatic Director for the Norwalk Recreation and Parks Department and Girls High School Swim Team Coach (1986–2004)

I have been married for 17 years to a wonderful man, Dave Raila, who supports my rowing 100%. Dave was a golfer and I became a rower. We promised each other we would learn each other’s sport. So I took up golfing and Dave learned to row. Now we both row. Dave and I have no children. We do have a Bearded Collie, Gracie, who keeps us busy and is well loved.

Joan Van Blom, 55

Married to John Van Blom (4 time Olympic rower), and we have one son, 18.

Rowing background

On water:

• Member of the Long Beach Rowing Association since learning to row in 1970.
• Three time Olympian
• 1976 single sculls—Silver Medal (First American woman to win an Olympic medal in rowing)
• 1980 single sculls—US Boycott year
• 1984 quadruple sculls—Silver Medal
• 10 times US National Team Competitor (1972-1980; and 1984)
• Pan American Games—US Women’s Sculling Coach, 1983 and 1987
• Currently compete in masters events with the Long Beach Rowing Association

On erg:

• Entered first erg competition at 50 years old, also first time to row lightweight
• 5 time CRASH-B Champion: 50–54 WLtwt. 2003–2007
• 2 K World Record, 50–54 WLtwt. 2004 to present
• EIRC Champion and EIRC record holder: 50–59 WLtwt. 2003–2005
• BIRC Champion and BIRC record holder: 50–54 WLtwt. 2006

Professional:

• Physical Education Curriculum Leader for the Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD)
• Currently the director of a competitive federal grant I wrote to enhance the physical education programs at seven Long Beach high schools. The grant includes over 40 rowing machines and other fitness equipment for each high school and teacher training. 

David Bauer, 72

I was a competitive runner until mid–1991 when the constant impact created a sciatic problem. I took up erging to strengthen and straighten my back and relieve the pain. It was successful and I have been erging ever since resulting in six trips to Boston and five world championships.

My on the water rowing with the Rocky Mountain Rowing Club didn't last long. My need for speed and lack of technique soon earned me the nick name "flipper". No one invited me into the big boats so all my water rowing was in single skull and no competitive attempts.

My objective is to row a 2K at 7:20 in December.

Luanne Mills, 68

I began erging for exercise in a health study and discovered a great way to get into shape. I have been selected to be a member of the USA Indoor Rowing team 5 times so I have competed in Amsterdam, Paris, Birmingham and Copenhagen. I am the owner of 4 hammers and one cat. My family has been very supportive of this sport for me and usually come with me to the events. I feel fortunate to have made many friends in the erging world.

Laurette Rindlaub, 73

I live in Riverside, Connecticut where most early mornings in the summer my husband and I row our single shells on the Mianus River or Greenwich Cove on Long Island Sound.

For many years I have raced at the Green Mountain Head, the Head of the Charles, and the Schuylkill Regatta.  (One of the few joys of being over 70 has been winning my division at the Head of the Charles the last two years.)  My children and grandchildren sometimes come to cheer me on.

Before I started rowing, a running friend (I have run nine marathons) put me on an erg to show me the basic stroke.  Since then (1986) I've used the erg in the winter months to stay in shape and to train for the CRASH-B sprints, where I’ve won more hammers than I have room for in my tool kit.

Our erg shock cord wore out the other day.  My husband and I, neither of us mechanically adept, wondered if we could ever replace its shock cord.  After some anxious moments, we proved we could change it.  Now, with my erg back together, I can train for Dresden! 

I'm delighted at the prospect of this adventure. Thank you, Concept2. 

Dean Smith, 81

Started my sports career as a runner. Switched to rowing inside on the erg in 2001 when my knees gave out. Was successful in winning a few world championships in my age group indoors. Moved to Colorado last year and began rowing outdoors with the Rocky Mountain Rowing Club.

Was successful in Princeton, NJ winning a gold.  Went to Croatia this past fall and rowed with other 80 year old guys.

Joe Amlong, 70

Began rowing 1951 in Liege, Belgium, where I won several cadet races.  When my father was transferred to Germany, I continued rowing in German junior competition and won several junior races.  In 1954 I joined the army and served as a paratrooper in the 82nd airborne division.  Entered West Point from the army, graduated in 1961 and took a commission in the Air Force.  Then I teamed up with my brother, who I had always rowed with in the pair without. This eventually led to my winning five Canadian national medals and five United States national medals in the senior class (now elite), first place pair without at the Japan Invitational 1963, and a Gold Medal in the eight 1964.  I continued to row 1965, and after returning from VietNam in 1968 tried out in the pair with unsuccessfully for the 1968 Olympics.  In the late 80's and early 90's rowed in several Veteran races and erg competitions.  I came out of rowing retirement one and a half years ago, and started working out on the erg and won the hammer at CRASH-B’s in 2007.  I have been married 44 years and have three daughters and two grandchildren. 

Paul Siebach, 49

I am a 49 year old LW from Oakton, VA; Technical Project Manager for Northrop Grumman IT Healthcare Group; wife Gretchen and 3 children: Kirsten 18 (my erg coxswain), Jeffrey 16, and Chloe 11.

I have been physically active all of my life, and try to maintain a healthy diet. I wrestled in HS/College, and then turned to running/biking, and finally to mini triathlons (1m swim, 25m bike, 6m run), which I have done for the last 18 years. I also row 3x/week in an 8 man with the Northern Virginia Rowing Club during the warmer months.  I enjoy coaching and refereeing the youth sports that my children are involved in, and taking weightlifting and spinning classes when I can get away from work, home, church, and family time commitments.

I have always enjoyed the physical workout that you can get on an erg machine – it pushes me more than any other exercise machine that I have tried.  I also view it as a lifetime exercise in that it does not impact my joints as I'm finding more and more of my other activities do.  It's nice to have these competitions in the sport to help keep me motivated.

One of my most cherished sports experiences occurred in 1984, when, after running in a 10k race, the race sponsor (ATT) held a drawing and drew my runners bib number.  The grand prize was the opportunity to carry the Olympic Torch for 1 mile in Fairfax, Virginia as it passed through on its way to Los Angeles.

Jonathan Bone, 52

I am Jonathan Bone, MHW, 6' 6" 258 lbs (200 cm 117.3 kg), turned 52 this fall. Married to a rower, two cats no children, owner of a scrupulously maintained C2 Model C retrofitted with a PM3 and Heart Monitor adapter + ErgMonitor, and a carbon-fiber Maas 24 recreational single (nifty Dreissigacker oars).

A tenured university professor, I currently live in Manhattan, row single sculls on—and sometimes in—New Jersey's Passaic River for the Passaic River Rowing Association/PRRA, and am a member of Britain's mighty Team Oarsome IRC. People who don't know me are surprised at how many Shredded Wheat biscuits I can eat at a sitting (current record is 21)... Erging background: I started erging around 1999, got a bit erratic at it after the disruptions of 9/11, and resumed serious training in the summer of 2004. My 2k PB (soft) is 6:19.7, set last year as my USIRT time trial for Copenhagen. I am the defending EIRC and WIRC champion in my categories. In March of this year I also set category WRs for 500m and 1k, the latter since broken by Stan Vegar. I'd like to believe there are more to come... :roll: :wink:

Rowing background: I started sculling in May 2004 and bought the boat that August. Two years and numerous dunkings later I still rush the slide, flip catch and dig my port oar too much. Oops! Since the start of the current season I've been averaging about 10k meters/day. Whenever possible I prefer to do my distance rowing OTW; thus much of my erging tends to be rather heroic interval workouts. I frequently do these more or less on line on the C2 UK Forum—I log into the chat room in the late afternoon US EST and 'talk' with fellow ergers during the interval breaks.

Paul Randall, 90

Started rowing in 1987 at the age of 70.  He entered a rowing competition with very little rowing experience. He ended up winning the competition and a rowing machine. That was the beginning of a wonderful “career” of training, competing and traveling the world. He says that “I figured I had run 16,000 miles and I just needed a new challenge." Paul rows at the Elkhart YMCA in Elkhart, IN about 4000-5000 meters almost every day. 

Roman Shor, 19

Roman is a senior at the University of Pennsylvania studying Computer Science and Mathematics.  He joined the heavyweight crew team his freshman year as a walk-on and rowed in the first freshman eight that spring, capturing 4th at both Eastern Sprints and IRAs.  His sophomore spring he took off to pursue a semester abroad, but he returned his junior year to help the second varsity capture 3 head race victories and the highest IRA finish in years.

Roman returns to the US Indoor team for his second stint in the past three years.  In 2005, he won the Under 18 division when the European Open was held in Copenhagen.  And this year he is looking forward to stiff competition in the Under 23 division.

When not rowing or staring at a computer screen, Roman enjoys mountaineering, photography, skiing, and sailing.

James Castellan, 62

In 1968 while in graduate school I started rowing at Fairmount RA along storied Boat House Row in Philadelphia. I wanted some physical exercise and thought rowing would be an interesting challenge. I won my novice match race and eventually rose to being an alternate sculler for the 1975 Pan Am and 1976 Olympic Rowing Teams. Both were great experiences.

After retiring from competitive sculling, I did some running and marathoning for my endorphins while life progressed with family (Lynn & I have one son who's working at making his career in local theater), home (in Rose Valley near Philadelphia), career (retired in 2001 from the newly merged GlaxoSmithKline pharmaceuticals), community (former Scoutmaster, soon to be former community library board member) and personal interests (which now include keeping bees and family history).

When joints began rebelling in my late 40s and early 50s, I quit running and joined my company's fitness center where I warmed up on a Model B. Bumping into a former competitor got me to the local indoor rowing event and in 2001 I accidentally qualified for CRASH-Bs and won a bronze. Last year the motivation of the USIRDS got me a little more focused and I was selected for the team to Copenhagen where I won the 60-69 HWT category (and, a real plus, spent two wonderful afternoons successfully researching in the Danish National Archives). Later at CRASH-Bs I won my first hammer.

I've done many physical activities and competed in many sports but found rowing the most challenging in terms of overall strength, coordination and aerobic conditioning required. And important to us old folks, it's easier on the joints than most.(:-)