S3E26 - CRI Octogenarian 8+ Proves Rowing is for the Ages

If you were at the Head of the Charles in 2022 and stuck around Boston through Sunday afternoon, you might have caught a glimpse of a Community Rowing, Inc. crew with a combined 720 years of rowing experience. Coach Catherine Saarela put together what she calls her dream team – an Octogenarian 8. In this episode we’re talking with Coach Saarela, 86-year-old coxswain Bill Becklean, and 83-year-old rowers Lee Warren and Alan McClennan. They shared insights on lifelong fitness, being relentlessly active, and those moments you can only find after shoving off the dock.

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CATEGORIES: Coaching, Coxing, Culture, Training

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TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Intro and welcome
04:45 - Rowing week: coaching, sculling, and begrudgingly getting on the erg
09:54 - Rapid Fire Q&A
16:47 - Learning to row at any age
23:55 - Rowing stroke styles, sculling vs. sweep, and caring for your body long term
32:35 - Coach Saarela’s idea for an Octo 8 at HOCR
35:15 - Coxing, being coxed, and finding swing on the Charles
43:25 - Thoughts on rowing as a lifelong sport, the elusive perfect stroke, and why getting out of bed and into a boat each morning is worth it
50:23 - Rowing and aging: what’s necessary for continuing to row as long as possible
54:15 - What rowing can teach us about: time management, body awareness, seeking perfection, and accepting imperfection

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To see photos of Community Rowing Inc.’s Octogenarian 8, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode is made possible in part by the Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Lake Washington Rowing Club, and our Patrons.