See the New Solo 14 video

Newsletter April 09 By Harold Aune VP

The Quiet Revolution continues…

The sudden economic standstill of last fall had us wondering what to expect. What we’re finding is that larger numbers of people are looking at rowing as a way to release stress while getting fit and becoming more connected, more involved and more empowered. This year we’ve actually been keeping up with our previous year’s sales even though many boat builders are announcing that sales are down by as much as 50%.  Sailing models are still just as popular but larger numbers of people are opting for slide seat rowing models.

We’ve always encouraged people to embrace our version of a simpler but more rewarding lifestyle by enjoying their local waterways up close while rowing and sailing boats.  As parents and grand parents age some find themselves remembering a simpler time when the sound of the water on the hull symbolized for them freedom from life’s relentless pace. Many mention the joy they felt when connecting with nature in their small boats and want to share this with the current young ones in their lives.



Our local ‘In the Water Boat Show’ starts April 16 to 19 in scenic Victoria Harbor and we will be there with boats for you to row and inspect. You can’t miss us – we’re right in front of the main docks in front of the Empress Hotel!

Row for Health Website upgrades:

You’re invited to tell us where your passions and hurdles lie through the new www.Rowforhealth.com posts option. To do so just click the more... link on an article, photo or book review to read it in full then feel free to post your comments.  The new ‘Doc Side 101’ column by Dr. John Degnan, Whitehall rower and Orthopedic Sports Medicine specialist is also located there so you can post your questions about rowing from the medical perspective.

Please submit your stories about rowing and we’ll review them for potential posting under one of our categories on the site. You can do this by clicking the “Do you love rowing?” call out on the right side of the page.

Learn to Row with Adam Kreek

The new “Learn to Slide Seat Row” with Olympic champion Adam Kreek is ready and complete.. It’s such great information that Marie and I decided to present it free online. It’s built into another project just completed and that is the latest brand new version of www.whitehallsolo.com  Check out the new Solo 14 website and watch the 35 minute “How to Row Video” We are really pleased with the presentation and hope you like it as well. If you want a DVD for watching on your big screen they are available to order online (or call us) and the DVD comes free along with all new boats ordered this year.

Diablo Open Water Rowing Race April 19

I covered this in the last Newsletter but in a couple of days we head down again for the Open Water Rowing Center’s annual Diablo Point Rowing Race. Rowing under the Golden Gate is a thrill and this year’s race features a special start for the small fleet of Solo 14’s that are participating. The crew is pretty spectacular as it includes Adam Kreek as well as Trans Atlantic rowers Brad Vickers and Jordan Hansen, plus Allan Calder from the SF South End Club and local Doug Gilmour. The start time for the Solo fleet is now 8:30am with the main shell fleet starting at 9:00am. More info is at   http://www.owrc.com/aLog2009/OW_Regatta/Regatta-09.html

Nimble's Cove:  by Andrea Guyon

I've read my share of "how to" books, watched DVDs, read articles and row 2-4 miles almost everyday but when you row with Adam Kreek…. he’s a treat to learn from!

It was a fun week making this ‘Learn to Slide Seat Row’ DVD. For someone with an Olympic Gold Medal, Six World Cup Gold Medals and a four time World Champion, Adam is one of the nicest, most down to earth people I've ever met…. and oh so smooth on the water!

The video takes you right through "this is your slide seat rowing boat" to drills that can be practiced at any skill level.  New rowers will benefit from the straight forward, unassuming, way in which he guides you through each step.  Advanced rowers will appreciate the more precise coaching tips to get the most out of your row and develop your technique.

I have been putting into practice some of the tips I've learned since we wrapped shooting and can notice an improvement in my rowing already. The great thing about rowing in the Solo 14 is the cross-training opportunity to work on skills that can take years to master in a racing shell.  I now have beautiful blade entry and exit!

Doc Side 101 – Rowing and Weight Loss

by Dr. John Degnan Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine


Greetings fellow rowers. The topic of interest is weight loss and the possible advantages of rowing versus the more traditional regime. Lets start with common sense and say "GET A PHYSICAL".

That said, you may like to know the number one fuel burner in your body is your basal metabolic rate (BMR); those are the calories used to keep your vital organs happy and warm, and warm is the key word when talking burning calories. Our analogy will be your home’s utility bill; the more you insulate the lower your cost of staying warm. Well the more you exercise the less you insulate so the higher your BMR and subsequent WEIGHT loss. Ideally you want your body like a trailer on the open plains not a well-insulated submerged wine cellar.

When you row you protect the impact zones and involve all skeletal muscles except those of mastication (Webster), thus the thermostat is on high and your caloric utility bill will be outrageous, about 800 cal/hr.  I alternate between anaerobic (2 mile fast pace) and aerobic (4-5 mile casual pace) the former is cardio and latter fat loss. Lastly to enhance fat usage, no food, a couple cups of black coffee and pace yourself such that you can maintain a conversation with nature. . ( Below is a chart for my Heart Rate Monitor and GPS)

My best
John Degnan