1-866-ECHO-ROW

 

WOMEN'S ROWING

A large portion of Echo Rowing recreational rowing shells are being rowed by women.  The ease of carrying, launching and rowing of our Echo rowing shells add to their appeal.  Women can easily load, carry and launch the shell on their own, making it an independent and peaceful sport, while providing a sense of confidence and connection to nature. 

We've received many stories from these women over the years and we'd like to share a few with you.  We'd also like to ask you to submit your rowing stories, creative writings, poems, photos, etc. 

Rowing is a complete Body, Mind, Spirit experience, stimulating passion, empowering independence and enhancing health & fitness.

INSPIRING OUTDOOR ADVENTURE !

 

Wisdom, Power, Confidence, Health, Beauty:

More Women are Rowing Now then Ever Before

Women are getting out of the house, out of the gym and onto the water! What is it that’s capturing their attention and stirring their passion for health, fitness and overall wellbeing? It’s rowing. 

Rowing meets the 4 key requirements that fuel women’s wisdom:

  • Health

  • Fitness

  • Energy

  • Confidence

Rowing is a full body aerobic exercise, working so many of the muscle groups in the body that it delivers a total body workout in less time that it takes to go to the gym.  Rowing works the muscles of the arms, legs, abdomen and torso as well as the heart and lungs, building endurance and strength- not to mention great shapely legs!

Moving out of the gym and onto the water, rowing offers an exciting change of pace and an easier, more desirable way to stay committed to health and fitness.  Being in the open air, at one with nature and the serenity of the water, the peace and quiet nurtures the soul and provides a haven in the midst of a hectic lifestyle.

The energy that comes, not only from increased endurance and muscles strength, but from a deeper connection to their spirit and wellbeing, women are finding rowing to be an exercise in wholeness.  Being one with the water, one with themselves and their surroundings, it is a peaceful meditation as well as a powerful exercise.

The confidence and empowerment that fills a woman’s soul is nourishing to her daily life and overflows into her relationships, activities and overall sense of wellness. 

Women are reaching out to others and forming rowing groups, sharing their wellness experience with others in a form of group meditation and community.  Women as young as their early teens to women well into their 60’s are turning to rowing as a vital part of their daily life.  They are helping each other overcome their fears and build new confidence. 

Rowing is quickly becoming the sport of choice for women in their middle years.  “50 is the new 30,” is the phrase being coined by two of America’s top models: Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs.  "Our generation, the baby-boomers, have always been the driving force," says Brinkley.

Baby boomers are a large majority of the population and these women want more from life.  They want to be recognized, active and connected.  What better food for the soul than rowing- a sport that meets all 4 key requirements for women’s wisdom?

© 2005 ~ J. Foster

 

Echo Rowing on Monterey Bay

"I learned to row three years ago, just after being laid off from a full-time job, and a few months before my 50th birthday. One of my ex-co-workers had been rowing on the Monterey Bay, here in Northern California, for several years and offered to teach me. I was instantly addicted! Although I thought I’d enjoy the freedom and flexibility of rowing in a single, our rowing club’s sculls were not ideal for a novice on the Bay. I felt as if I was spending all my time balancing and staying dry, instead of moving gracefully through the water, enjoying the scenery and ocean life like I’d imagined.

Then, one cold and rainy day in February, the Echo rep visited our area to demo their boats–and I was in love! Not only were the Echos really pretty, but I felt comfortable and safe from the moment I took my first step into the boat. (Yes! You can step into this boat–not just make a calculated plop!) I noticed right away that I wasn’t tipping precariously, even though the current was strong at the docks and the wind was blowing. By then, it was also raining, but I was getting very enthused. I wasn’t willing to leave without a test drive, so I headed for the harbor mouth and out towards the Bay.

Our harbor mouth is a tricky place to row, especially during the winter when the current and waves can affect the boat’s movement as fast as one can compensate. That day would not have been appropriate for most rowing sculls, but I felt very secure in the Echo, so I headed straight out to the Bay. It handled the swell beautifully, just bobbing up and down. (I later discovered, under even more challenging conditions, that the Echos love to surf!) I’d finally found the boat that provided both the stability and comfort needed for our open waters, and a few weeks later I was the proud owner of an Islander.

Now, almost a year later, I’m just as happy with my boat as the day it arrived. There’s a stability factor in the Echo that makes it especially comfortable for newer rowers, or those with less-than-perfect balance or skill, as well as for various open water conditions. I don’t think of myself as a risk-taker or wild-woman-rower, but I love having a boat that I know is going to stay under me all the time. It bounces along happily in wakes, and I stay much drier than I have in other sculls.

The Echo forgives my stroke imperfections by not throwing me into the cold waters of the Monterey Bay, where surfers wear wetsuits all year long. It not only forgives, but also helps me improve my stroke by responding to subtle adjustments. The lack of skeg in the Echo design concerned me at first, though it’s certainly more convenient on landings.

However, as it turns out, rowing with the molded keel just requires a little practice, and it’s a definite asset in heavy swell conditions that tend to push a boat around. I also feel comfortable maneuvering in our tight harbor area where quick turns are needed.

The Echos are by far the perfect open water single for me! I never did go back to working full-time. Rowing has become a big part of my life, so I opted for part-time work that allows me to get out and row as often as I wish. I’m not a novice anymore–but my Echo continues to serve me well in all conditions, and its smart design always seems to catch the attention of other rowers in the harbor. With this boat, I really am moving gracefully through the water, enjoying nature and the company of many new friends!"

                                                ~ Judi Jensen       Santa Cruz, California

 

Rowing Helped Her Conquer Her Fear of the Water

“I had a lot of fear of the water.  I almost drowned as a child, “says Catherine McLaughlin-Hill of  Maine.  A few years back she was courageous to take swimming lessons at the YMCA and today she’s out in her own rowing shell. 

When her husband, David came home with 2 new Echo Rowing shells two summers ago, Catherine spent time learning to row from Lorna Perry, one of the Echo Rowing owners.  “Lorna took the time to teach me personally.  She’s the one that really taught me to row!”

Owning land on the bank of the Oyster River that has its own dock, was the incentive behind David’s purchase; that, and lots of enthusiastic stories from a co-worker who loved her rowing shell and spoke so highly of the stability and safety that these recreational rowing shells are renowned for.  David spontaneously took a ride to Echo Rowing in Eliot, Maine and drove home that afternoon with one red and one yellow rowing shell. 

“I’ve only been rowing for 2 summers.  I’m really new at it,” says Catherine.  “But one day I was so  confident about my rowing abilities that I got in my shell and was in the middle of the river before I realized I didn’t have my life jacket on!”  Catherine never left the dock without her vest.  She realized that she was in the middle of the river and she wasn’t afraid.  She knew she was confident enough to get back to the dock.  “I was ok,” she said, “I wasn’t even afraid!” Yelling to her husband David, she told him she had forgotten her life jacket.  “Well, I guess you didn’t need it, “he replied.

Breaking through her fears has had a huge impact on Catherine’s life.  Rowing has met her spiritual need to be in nature and her need for time alone.  Her courage and determination is evident in her independent journeys to the water at the end of the day. 

“I can spontaneously, and in a moments notice, decide for myself that I am going to go out on the  water.  I can go down to the dock. I can put in the shell by myself, it’s so easy to carry and load.  I can jump in and go,” she says.  At 42, Catherine gets to experience an independence that means a lot to her. 

“Every time I go out there, it is definitely my spiritual connection to nature,” states Catherine.  Years ago she would have been too afraid to be on the water.  Having worked through much of the fear, and having acquired land on the river with a dock, she really has conquered her fear and met several of her needs in doing so. 

Today, Catherine enjoys her spiritual connection, independence and tranquility on the water; something that used to terrify her now excites her. Her learning experiences with Lorna of Echo Rowing helped her to recognize that she could be on the water and be safe.  Rowing brings her more joy than she ever could have imagined!

© J. Foster  2007

 

Rowing & Sailing in South Sound

Dear Ted, 

Thanks very much for the great Echo hat and t-shirt!  I got back from a week of vacation, and they were waiting for me.  What a nice surprise!  It was certainly fun to see some other Echo enthusiasts at the Great Cross Sound Race.  I'm proud to be a part of the Echo team!

We went sailing on our vacation in the South Sound, and we brought the Echo along.  It fits nicely on the deck of our trimaran, and when the wind doesn't blow, we just go rowing.  I had a lot of fun playing in the Echo, as did my husband and daughter.  If there was no wind, one person would get in the Echo and row.  The others would motor along behind on the trimaran. If you happen to love to row AND to sail, then whether the wind blows or not, it's still a great day. Next time, I'll row around and wear my cool new Echo hat! 

Best wishes,

Samantha Ritchie

* Samantha Ritchie, from Olympia WA, came in FIRST IN WOMENS at the Great Cross Sound Race with a 1:21:06 time, in her Echo.

 

 

Martha Ouellette of Kittery, Maine prepares for her maiden voyage in her new teal Echo Rowing shell.

 

 

 

 

 

Kinley Gregg placed FIRST IN WOMENS in the 34th Annual Isle of Shoals Race in her Echo Rowing shell.

 

 

If you would like to see your story listed here with photos, please submit them to us at info@echorowing.com .  We look forward to hearing from you!

 

FOR MORE WOMEN'S ROWING STORIES, VISIT THE ECHO BLOG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                    ©  2004-2007  Echo Rowing, LLC   All Rights Reserved.