informational fliers about
the team to students in
the Canon-McMillan,
Elizabeth Forward,
Trinity and Bethel Park
school districts, as those
were the closest to Peters
Township. The club rows
under the umbrella of
Pittsburgh Rowing Club,
which has provided
coaching, equipment and
expertise, enabling the
group to grow.
Being a club sport,
the Peters Township
Rowing Club has no
direct affiliation with the
Peters Township School
District. The team is
financially dependent
upon its club members,
dues and fundraising
efforts, but has been
fortunate to have several
sponsors including
PT Rowing Club Members
Venetia Community
Front Row (L to R): Genna Luster, Dylan Fink,
Ally Borak, Erin Hannegan, Rylie McGrady,
Center, Sports Clips
Shannon Hannegan, Coach Stephanie Zang.
McMurray and Dan Fink
Back Row (L to R): Ben MacKay, Zach Strennen,
Home Improvements.
Jake Dabkowski, Anna Starcevic, Max Lammers,
Coach Kim Gilmour.
The team is coached by
Not Pictured: Keegan Decker, Morgan Zanke,
Stephanie Zang and has
Lindsay Crovak, Royon Meerzadah, Jamie
most recently welcomed
Oswald, Jake Rose.
Pittsburgh Rowing Club’s
Masters Coach Kim Gilmour to the team as a second coach. Both
Zang and Gilmour hold a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science,
and Gilmour has also attained a master’s degree in the subject. With
more than 16 combined years of high school and collegiate rowing
experience, Zang and Gilmour lead the young Peters Township
Rowing Club with confidence and expertise.
Rowing has two seasons—spring and fall. In the spring, sprint-style
races take place where the boats line up side-by-side and race 2,000
meters. The first boat to finish wins. In the fall, competitors take part
in “head races” that are timed trials with the boats entering the course
one at a time and rowing 4,000 to 6,000 meters, depending on the
race course. In this case, the boat with the fastest completion time
wins.
Additionally, there are many sizes of boats and two different styles
of rowing—sweep rowing and sculling. In sweep rowing, each rower
uses one big oar, and in sculling each rower in the boat uses two small
oars. Boats can range from a single person to a double or a four- or
eight-person vessel. The larger boats are steered by the coxswain, who
is responsible for giving directions to the crew. Indoor races (ERG)
are also held during the winter months and the Peters Township
Rowing Club participates in two of these type of races.
The sport of rowing requires discipline throughout the year.
Whether rowers take part in races during the spring and fall seasons or
training in the off-season, practice never stops. When Peters Township
Rowing Club hits the water, they row out of the Montour Marina
located in Coraopolis, primarily in the back channel of the Ohio
River. In the off-season, the club participates in indoor practices at the
Venetia Community Center.
Rowing is a competitive, non-impact, full-body workout that
provides an inclusive environment for young people of all abilities.
“The Peters Township Rowing Club is a sport that offers high schoolage girls and boys from the South Hills area an opportunity to
develop a healthy lifestyle and improve their sense of self-awareness
and confidence, while building lasting friendships and responsibility
through rowing,” says Alexander. “Our club pulls together a group of
students, teaches them to work as a team and to experience the value
of a team effort.” Additionally, the sport is accessible throughout one’s
lifetime, with programs offered in high schools, colleges and even in
adult masters programs.
“The rowing community has been very receptive to our new club,”
notes Alexander. “In addition to the Pittsburgh Rowing Club, we have
also had tremendous support from the Fox Chapel, Hampton and
Pine-Richland clubs. Our executive board, dedicated parents, team
members and coaches have worked so diligently to be able to provide
this great new opportunity to the community and we are beyond
excited to watch the club grow.”
The Peters Township Rowing Club is open to male and female
students in grades 8-12 in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. Students who
are home schooled or enrolled in cyber and/or charter schools are
also welcome and encouraged to join.
The team is currently working toward becoming a nonprofit
organization and is always in need of sponsors. Additionally, it hopes
to hold another “Learn to Row” camp this summer to encourage
people from the community to learn more about rowing.
For more information, contact the club directly by emailing
[email protected]. n
Peters Township | June/July 2016 | icmags.com 55