About the Grateful Oars Rowing Club
Grateful Oars Rowing Club is a member of the United States Rowing Association . The Grateful Oars have been "sweeping" Norwood Lake in northern New York since 1997. The club's members row our four-oared shells, Jimmy Row and State of Mind, and our racing crews row them very fast indeed. The Grateful Oars Rowing Club has had excellent results in sprint and head racing in recent years, but most members are in it for the exercise and good fun. The club has scheduled rows most days of the week. All it takes to schedule a row is a qualified row captain, four other rowers, a couple of hours when the boats are not already scheduled, and clearance from the club's row scheduler.
The Grateful Oars does not have a professional coach, but a number of members have years of rowing and teaching experience. Each team's row captain is able to provide basic instruction.
The club membership of about 30 at present is roughly 2/3 women and 1/3 men. The club has no junior program at this time. Currently, most Grateful Oars members range from post-college age to retirees. A crew of senior veteran men averages about 65 years of age. Most crews are made up of all men, or all women, but some crews are mixed
Oars crews row with "sweeps", which are 12' long, lightweight oars, each rowing member of the crew using one oar each. The rowers are directed by a coxswain, ("cox'n"or "cox"), who steers the boat, calls the stroke rate, and sets up the training routine for the row. The duties of coxswain are rotated among the crew on a weekly basis, that is, one's turn at coxing comes every five weeks on a regular crew. Typically, each crew is captained by one of the more experienced members of The Grateful Oars. Each beginner crew must include at least two rowers with at least one season's experience. Beginning crew members should anticipate at least one full season of rowing to reach basic proficiency.
"Oars" crews are led by experienced row captains who have several years of sweep rowing experience. Beginning rowers are taught the fundamentals of sweep rowing, teamwork, and boating safety. Those who decide to join the club are assigned to a regular crew that fits with their level of experience, or one may join as an "alternate member" and row on a substitute, or on-call basis. Beginning rowers should expect the learning process to continue throughout their membership.
Grateful Oars members are expected to take part in maintaining club facilities and equipment. Club facilities are located on land that is generously made available by the Village of Norwood, New York. Club members do their part to help maintain the village park's attractive grounds.
The Club's officers for 2007-2008 are:
- Peter Phelan, President, 315-265-7608
- Dick Mooers, Vice President, 315-265-2774
- Chelle Lindahl, Secretary, 315-347-4223
- Denice Cline, Co-Treasurer, 315-265-7949
- Celia Nyamweru, Co-Treasurer, 315-386-1562
- Bill MacKentley, At-Large Director, 315-265-6739
- Shannon Miller, At-Large Director, 315-265-7050
- Joe Vitale, At-Large Director, 315-389-5740
- Amy Walker, At-Large Director, 315-268-0234
- Brooks Washburn, At-Large Director, 315-268-0121
