JL Spotlight: Kateryna Maistrenko
Kateryna (Katya) Maistrenko grew up around rowing. Her mom and dad both represented their countries in the 1988 and 1972 Olympics, respectively. They built and operated a large rowing center in Ukraine while Katya grew up. It was only natural that she started rowing when she was just 9 years old. Throughout her rowing career, Katya has rowed on the Ukrainian National Team, as well as for an NCAA Division I school in Washington. She was in the US when the war broke out in Ukraine. She found comfort by continuing to train on the water while also fundraising to support the people of Ukraine.
Mother's Day 2022 Gift Guide
Whether they are biological or not, moms play such an integral part in our lives. This Mother's Day, consider giving your favorite crew mom a gift to show them how much you appreciate them. Not sure where to start? We've curated a list of gifts for the moms that row, and the moms that help support rowing teams. Check out these perfect Mother's Day gifts!
Team JL Spotlight: Rusna Sangha
Team JL Ambassador, Rusna Sangha is working to increase Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the sport of rowing, one stroke at a time. After joining her local rowing team, she realized that although there were similarities between her and the other rowers, there was one thing that made her different: She was one of only three BIPOC athletes on the team. By the end of her novice year, she was the only BIPOC athlete left on the team. Read about Rusna's story, and her goals for not only herself as a rower, but for increasing DEI in rowing as a community.
Team JL Spotlight: Gianna Perugini
Determined, adaptable, and dedicated are three words Team JL Ambassador, Gianna Perugini, uses to describe herself as an athlete. From rower to coxswain to adaptive rower, Gianna has loved being involved in the sport of rowing since she was 9 years old.
One Rowing Stroke at a Time - Surviving Stage 3 Breast Cancer for 20 Years
Former rower, Beth Gardner, has published her book, One Rowing Stroke at a Time - Surviving Stage 3 Breast Cancer for 20 Years. "The book takes the reader down my journey of battling stage 3 breast cancer at the age of 30. In short, I was diagnosed one month after my 30th birthday, one year after retiring from the elite sport of Rowing and 3 weeks before running my first marathon," she said. "Without having the firsthand experience as an elite level of rower AND having been coached by both the late Igor Grinko and late Ted Allison Nash, I may not have had the will to beat the non-discriminatory disease."
Women's History Month: 24 Hour Indoor Row
In honor of Women's History Month and International Women's Day (March 8th), we sat down with Team JL Ambassador, Rachel Smillie to ask her what she is doing to celebrate women in sport. Her answer? A Guinness World Record attempt on the indoor rowing machine to travel the furthest distance by a female team in 24 hours. Keep reading to learn about the details of a row like this, why she is taking on this challenge, and what Rachel hopes to accomplish by taking part in a 24 hour row
Team JL Ambassador Training To Row Across The Atlantic
On this National Girls and Women in Sports Day, we join in on recognizing student-athletes, champion athletes, coaches, administrators and lawmakers committed to providing equitable access to sports for all girls and women. We would like to highlight one of our Team JL ambassadors, Rachel Smillie, who is currently training to rowing across the Atlantic Ocean with two other women.
Row for the Cure | Together We Thrive!
Founded in 1993, Row for the Cure is the rowing and water-sports community’s crusade against cancer, raising funds through a series of events, regattas and virtual challenges across the U.S. As a grant- making organization, Row for the Cure distributes funds to community cancer organizations which support local cancer patients and their families, rowing organizations which empower cancer survivors and to cutting-edge research conducted by Susan G. Komen.
Mother's Day 2021 Gift Guide
This Mother's Day show your crew mom — biological or otherwise — how much you appreciate her and all that she does for you by giving her the gear she needs to enjoy what she loves. If you're not sure where to start, take a look at these Mother's Day 2021 gift ideas, ranging in price, for your favorite crew mom this year.