A Lasting Legacy: The Journey of Women in Rowing
Each year, at least once, I watch NINE. The story doesn’t get old. The women who stood tall in the face of exclusion; those brave and powerful women paved the way for the rest of us. While they may not have set out to leave a legacy, they have done so. For that, I am forever grateful.
Black Kids Go Fast by Joshua Rafferty
Last summer, I had the privilege of attending the Black Student-Athlete Summit in Los Angeles, CA. At the conference, there were over 500 varsity student-athletes across all NCAA divisions. I had the honor of meeting the most talented, hard-working, smart, and kind people with whom I have ever interacted. As I met track runner after track runner, I began to wonder where the rowers were. Joshua Rafferty interviews Black athletes and coaches on their rowing journey, poses the question "How can we get more Black kids in college boats?" and discusses ways that we can diversify our sport at the higher levels.
Two Passions on a Single: Charlie, the Rowing Chestnut
I have some rather niche passions. The first one might not seem so niche to you, since you are currently reading “The Launch” a rowing blog made by a rowing gear company, but for many, it seems quite odd to have a wake up before 5 am to go sit on a tippy boat, narrower than your butt, to move backwards on a river…My second passion is the Castanea dentata tree (I told you it was rather niche…), the American Chestnut tree!
National Girls and Women in Sports Day 2024
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (February 7, 2024) is a special day all about giving props to women in sports, recognizing their grit, and pushing for equality. As we gear up to celebrate, we sat down with some of our Team JL Ambassadors to learn more about their journey in sports. Join us as we delve into their personal experiences, memorable moments that shaped their athletic journey, and the empowerment they've discovered through participation in sports.
Athlete Spotlight: Makayla Malandra
Introducing Makayla, a sophomore on the Purdue Women's Rowing Team! Makayla is currently pursuing a degree in Creative and Professional Writing at Purdue, and she has been rowing since middle school. She loves rowing in a 4x and an 8+, and her favorite seat is 4 seat. Makayla recharges after practice with sunny side up eggs, and while she isn't at the boathouse, she loves spending time with her friends. We sat down with Makayla to delve into the world of collegiate rowing, and learn more about her experience with the sport she has grown to love!
Survivor Rowing Network at Head of the Charles 2023
Rowing Cares and the Survivor Rowing Network (SRN) entered two boats comprised of cancer survivors at HOCR 2023. The SRN's mission is to grow Survivor Rowing and help place more cancer survivors into boats and on ergs. They do this by strengthening existing survivor rowing programs through collaboration & by enabling rowing organizations looking to form new programs. Read below to learn more about the incredible women who are coaching, rowing, or coxing in this year's SRN boats at HOCR, and visit the JL tent at HOCR to meet and chat with them. Good luck ladies!
Athlete Spotlight: Grace Kennel
Meet Grace Kennel, a sophomore on the rowing team at Purdue. Grace loves 6 seat because she gets to follow, but likes to be in stern four, and she enjoys practicing in a 2-, but racing in a 4+ or 8+. "All I Do Is Win" by DJ Khaled gets her pumped up to row a 2k, and you'll find her eating handfuls of dry cheerios as a post-practice snack on the way home from the lake. Outside of rowing, she enjoys cooking since it is a fun way to destress after practice while also fueling herself. We sat down with Grace to find out what it's like being a student athlete, and what she has learned from the sport of rowing.
Mother's Day 2023
Moms play a big part in the rowing world: we have women who show their strength as mothers and on the water as part of a masters team; we have moms who coach not only their kids, but also a rowing team; and of course moms who support their children who row/cox! In honor of Mother's Day, we sat down with three of our Team JL Ambassadors who are all moms who row! Read about how their training has evolved pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and post-pregnancy, how rowing has helped them as moms, and what they are most proud of as moms.
Athlete Spotlight: AJ Collins
Meet AJ, a sophomore who rows starboard on Purdue Crew. He is studying to become a mechanical engineer, but really enjoys being on the team, since it allows him to dedicate himself to something bigger than himself. Being a student-athlete helps push him to be more effective and productive in everything that he does. AJ's favorite pre-practice snack is a plain bagel smothered in peanut butter, and after practice, you'll find him eating a banana and chocolate milk.
Historic Women Creating Spaces for Women to Excel
It’s on the shoulders of these trailblazers that we stand today, personally I am indescribably grateful for their contributions to our programs and professions. Their resiliency to press forward despite glass ceilings, patriarchal precedent, and barriers to equality enabled them to painfully carve out the spaces that we have today in male-dominated environments like athletics and high-level professional environments.
Athlete Spotlight: Nikki Hallahan
Meet Nikki Hallahan, a freshman on the rowing team at Purdue University. Nikki started rowing in high school, and hasn't looked back! Her favorite pre-practice snack is a protein shake she makes in her dorm room with protein powder, almond milk, vitamins/supplements, and yogurt. Her favorite seat is bow seat in a 4x, and she is also bisweptual when rowing sweep! Read about how special rowing is to her, what her goals are for the season, and what she recommends to high schoolers considering rowing in college.