Why Youth Rowing? The Question is Why Not ?

Each year, more and more people discover the Mystic River is a recreational resource that is often overlooked. If you ask residents of the cities the river runs though, many will not know where it is or that their city has access to it. Gentle Giant Rowing Club is one organization that seeks to educate the public on the river in their backyard.

Don’t let the name fool you. Gentle Giant Rowing Club is not just for movers! When the club was founded in 2002, it was originally Liberty Rowing Club. Club co-founders Allan Gehant and Gracio Garcia (Both of whom were rowers at Northeastern University) met with the head of Gentle Giant Moving Company, Larry O’Toole (Also a former rower at Northeastern University). At this meeting, Larry O’Toole agreed to support the new rowing program and Allan and Gracio agreed to change the name to Gentle Giant Rowing Club. It’s a partnership that continues to this day.

One of the reasons Larry O’Toole wanted to become involved with this new club was its commitment to bring rowing to the youth of the area. Each Spring, Summer, and Fall, rowers from the communities of Mystic Valley launch from the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville to enjoy rowing on the Mystic and Malden Rivers. GGRC worked with the cities of Somerville, Malden, Medford and Everett to start rowing programs for their high schools. While GGRC has held youth rowing programs in the Summer and Fall, the focus in the Spring was on the communities that they partnered with.

This changed in 2022 when GGRC introduced a Spring Youth Rowing Program for student athletes in cities that do not have access to the sport. In that time, rowers from cities like Winchester, Lexington, Melrose, and Wakefield have come down Blessing of the Bay to row. These students have learned the benefits of rowing that go beyond the time they spend on the water. Rowers learn about accountability and teamwork. They learn to push themselves past perceived boundaries and gain a support system of teammates to aid them in their efforts.

Upon viewing a rowing hull for the first time, some rowers are nervous about the prospect of using the equipment. Rowing hulls range in width from just under 12 inches for singles to just under 2 feet for eights. The narrow hulls provide a platform for speed but do take some time to adjust to. Rowers must be disciplined with how they move their bodies and many rowers have commented when the hull is moving well, you’re working hard but it feels effortless as you listen to the water flow under the hull. People row for many reasons including a hard workout but some join for the community which is like no other in sports. “I tired out rowing on a whim and found such a great community. I love the activity itself but my favorite thing about rowing is how welcoming teams can be and I love doing challenging work with such a great support system. This club has impacted me really positively and I don’t know where I’d be today if I never rowed!” - GGRC Youth Rower - Angelica Nocera.

(GGRC Youth Women celebrate their victory in the coxed quad event at 2023's Springfield Rockrimmon Regatta - Pictured Cox -Eleanor Bogosian, Angelica Nocera, Vivien Scott, Madeleine Zucca, and Elle Gys)

GGRC is not only looking for youth to row the hulls but they’re looking for youth to hop in the coxswain seat As GGRC Coxswain Kim Poff explained on why she got into coxing, “As a short, skinny 7th grader, I knew I wasn’t going to make the soccer or lacrosse or basketball teams. A friend that rowed told me about coxing and it required being small and loud, two qualities I had in abundance. That began my love affair with rowing. Coxing has given me community and confidence in new places and given me the opportunity to compete in all kinds of fun places. I’m looking forward to coxing, and sculling, for the rest of my life.” Coxswains are the “coach in the boat.” Rowers listen to their instructions and respond to them accordingly. The coxswain or “cox” is responsible for steering the best course and keeping rowers safe. It requires discipline and strategy - and, as Kim Poff pointed out, a loud voice.

The impact of rowing should not be underestimated. Said one parent of her son’s exposure to rowing, “He’s grown so much and learned to like rowing so much and we think that had so much to do with GGRC. You have such a warm, low pressure environment, yet demanded discipline and team work that was just what he needed."

This Spring, youth at GGRC will race against other clubs on the Mystic and Malden Rivers as well as at regional and state regattas like the USRowing Regional Youth Championships.

The GGRC Spring Youth Program begins on March 18th and runs through May 31st. Sessions are held Monday - Friday from 4p-6p and GGRC rows out of the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse located on Shore Drive in Somerville. GGRC also has programming for adult novices and experienced rowers - Sweep and Sculling. For information, please contact them at membership@gentlegiantrowing.org or check out their website, www.gentlegiantrowing.org