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HOCR 2024: Survivor Rowing Network Meet & Greet

HOCR 2024: Survivor Rowing Network Meet & Greet

We are thrilled to welcome athletes from the Survivor Rowing Network to the JL Racing tent at this year’s Head of the Charles Regatta. These cancer survivors are not only fierce competitors but also powerful advocates for the healing benefits of rowing. On Saturday, October 19th, from 10:15am to 11:15am, we will be hosting a meet & greet with athletes who are racing in the Survivor Row event, taking place at 3:26pm the same day. Stop by the JL tent on Saturday to meet these incredible and inspiring athletes, celebrate their strength, enter a raffle to win a FREE JL swag bag, and learn more about how SRN is growing the survivor rowing community worldwide!
Team Spotlight: Allies With Oars

Team Spotlight: Allies With Oars

Since 2022, Steady State Network has raced as Allies with Oars to promote inclusion and accessibility for all rowers, regardless of gender identity. They pull together competitive lineups for major regattas. The current Allies with Oars team is training for Race Around the Rock, an 88k coastal relay race on August 25th around Salt Spring Island in British Columbia, Canada. The team will be taking over the JL Racing Instagram story for the weekend of the race. Be sure to tune in to follow along!
Stylish Start: Rowers’ Must-Haves for the New Semester

Stylish Start: Rowers’ Must-Haves for the New Semester

Fall season is nearly upon us! It’s an exciting period of reuniting with teammates, making new friends and lots and lots of meters. As you add the “student” back into life as a student-athlete, preparation is vital. Whether you’re beginning a new journey or planning to make the most of your senior year, starting the season with the right gear is one way you can set yourself up for success.
Steering Toward Success: Coxswain’s Fall Season Essentials

Steering Toward Success: Coxswain’s Fall Season Essentials

Head race season is just around the corner! As coxswains swap side-by-side strategy and start sequences for course maps, 5k plans and perfecting their best “YIELD!”, now is the perfect time to open up those dry bags and double check that you have everything you need to be successful this fall.
Regatta Packing List Essentials

Regatta Packing List Essentials

Prepping for a regatta isn't just about the physical training and mental prep, but also ensuring you have the right tools for success on race day. The last thing you want to realize on race day is that you've forgotten to pack your favorite sunglasses, your team's unisuit, or your lucky warmup shirt. Below, you'll find a list of important items to remember to pack, whether you're going traveling to your own lake or across the country.
Two Passions on a Single: Charlie, the Rowing Chestnut

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!

Ultimate Rowers Gift Guide

Ultimate Rowers Gift Guide

Welcome to the Ultimate Rowers Gift Guide - your ticket to finding the most unique and functional presents for the rower, coach, or coxswain in your life! We've carefully curated a selection of top-notch gifts that cater to the rowing community. From sleek unisuits that'll have you rowing in style to performance tops that'll keep you cool under pressure, and a variety of accessories, trou, and outerwear, you'll find this year's most-wanted rowing gifts! Whether you're shopping for a friend, family member, coach, teammate, or yourself, we've got you covered. Let the holiday gifting begin!
Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Her

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate the spirit of giving than by finding the perfect gift for the rower, coxswain, or coach in your life? Whether she's a dedicated athlete, a coach, or someone just starting to explore the sport, nothing beats the excitement of new, top-notch performance gear. We've handpicked a selection of thoughtful and functional gifts and bundles for every budget. Each bundle is meticulously crafted to enhance comfort, style, and performance on the water or erg. Gift individual products or the entire bundle for a holiday gift she is sure to love!
Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Him

Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Him

'Tis the season of giving, and what better way to embrace the festive spirit than by finding the perfect present for the rower, coxswain, or coach in your life? Whether they're a seasoned athlete, your favorite coach, or a novice rower, there's nothing quite like the thrill of brand-new, high-quality performance gear. We've curated a thoughtful selection of gifts and bundles to suit every budget. Shop individual items or complete bundles for a gift that is sure to be loved! 
Survivor Rowing Network at Head of the Charles 2023

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!

Back to Scull: A Wardrobe Guide

Back to Scull: A Wardrobe Guide

With the fall season approaching, it's time to spruce up your rowing gear! Whether you are going back to school, or you are going into your next masters season, here are 14 different items that will be a perfect addition to your fall kit. There is a mix of gear for warm weather, as well as some pieces for when the weather starts to turn. This list of versatile items will help set you up for success this upcoming season! For more fall gear, check out our Back to School Survival Guide on JL Athletics!
Best 2k Songs: A Playlist for Erging

Best 2k Songs: A Playlist for Erging

We asked our followers what their go to 2k songs were, and the responses did not disappoint. From Metallica to the Cast of Glee, the genres are all over the place. Speaking from experience, it is so hard to pick a good song/playlist on 2k days. Some songs are too long, too short, or too repetitive. This playlist has a wide range of different genres, so hopefully it can strike some inspiration if you are at a loss for what to listen to!