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GCRA has been on Tara's radar for a few years, after she saw adaptive rower Kristen Jackson powering through an erg piece on social media. Tara started following the club's really open and welcoming public group on Facebook, and has always been impressed with their camaraderie, presence at regattas, impassioned calls for volunteers, and shout-outs and high fives for each other.  

GCRA was founded in 1984 as a non-profit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to providing its diverse membership with safe sculling and sweep rowing opportunities. Today, it’s home to 145 members across masters and adaptive rowing programs.

GUESTS: GCRA Board President Laurie Gunzleman, LTR Coach Nicole Arrato, adaptive rower Kristen Jackson, recent LTR grad Cari Palmer, and rower and admin Sarah Stafford.

TIME STAMPS
0:00 - Introduction
4:30 - Speakmon Memorial Regatta / Cari falls in love with head racing / adaptive racing
10:45 - GCRA programs and events / LTR / Relentless Rowing Academy partnership
13:52 - What got Cari hooked during LTR
17:15 - What makes GCRA special
20:34 - How Laurie's son motivated her to learn to row
22:12 - GCRA para program thrives through COVID-19
27:25 - Learn to Row
48:40 - “Flat tire” friends
31:05 - Taking on leadership rolls
34:35 - Cari becomes an avid evangelist and roll model for her HS students
38:35 - Nicole’s perspective on rowing as a metaphor for life
40:20 - Lessons learned from rowing
41:55 - Land/water acknowledgement
46:00 - Rapid Fire Q&A

[S2] Ep. 15 Mentions

PEOPLE
Ash Pryor
Blake Haxton
Margie Elsberg

RESOURCES
USRowing age classifications

ORGANIZATIONS
Chinook Performance Racing
Relentless Rowing Academy
Seize the Oar
Upper Arlington High School Rowing

EVENTS
Blake Haxton Regatta
Gay Games
Speakmon Memorial Regatta
USRowing Masters Nationals