He had built the entire set back in LA after taking photos of Newell from the summer scouting trip. He had reproduced the old sliding mirrors, a vintage wooden doorway, and some old rowing plaques. I was very impressed, and I told him so. He beamed like a proud craftsman. Then I saw the pair of crossed oars hanging on the wall, painted blue. "Oops," I blurted out. more
It was about 6 am, and we were sitting in my launch along with Adrian, the wardrobe coordinator. I was trying to line up five pairs across a narrow stretch of river for the first take of the day. It was pitch black. more
When they finally started to row all eight and wind up into their first power ten, a big smile broke across his Armie face. "Damn. This is fun!" he shouted. more
It was only later that I heard that he was notorious for yelling at people and making them feel inferior. But that sort of behavior didn’t bother me. After all, I came from the rowing world and Harvard Crew. Harry Parker was a lot scarier than any Hollywood producer. more
About thirty guys showed up for twenty spots (two eights worth, plus a pair). One guy among the twenty would be the lucky one to deliver the dubious line of Aaron Sorkin’s dialogue. What it meant was a minuscule shot at fame and a substantial pay increase. more
This week marks the release of a major Hollywood movie called “The Social Network." Just as its creators intended, this will be a film as unavoidable as its subject matter: Facebook. More specifically, the film focuses on the blood, sweat, and tears (and brilliance) that brought this cultural phenomenon into being. It also involves rowing. more
"They probably would have won it," said 1980 Canadian Olympian Phil Monkton recently about the US Men's Eight entry at the boycotted Olympics in Moscow. "They had so much speed that year." more
Ursula Grobler has already qualified for the USA LW2x, with Abby Broughton, but is racing at trials next week in the both the LW1x and LW4x. If she were to win all the trials should she attempt to triple up? more
Cal rower Kara Kohler just completed an amazing novice year of rowing that saw her go from taking her first strokes ever, to making Cal's top-ranked Varsity 8 and winning a Pac-10 title, to winning a U23 World Championship in the USA W8+ in July. How did Kara find rowing and what was 2010 like for the now sophomore? more
19 year old lightweight Patricia Obee has had a busy 2010 so far. Last spring, as a freshmen at Oregon State, she set the freshmen 6k record and raced in the team's Varsity 8+. Then during the summer, Obee raced in the Canadian U23 LW2x and W8+, winning bronze in the eight as an emergency alternate. more
Sarah Zelenka is a newcomer to the US women's senior national team, but she's already made a name for herself in 2010. Hailing from club program Grand Valley State, Zelenka won two golds at the Lucerne World Cup: a dominating win in the W4- and a come from behind win in the W8+. more
For those oarsmen who have experienced the ecstasy or devastation which comes from passing a certain post next to Chiswick bridge either first or second on boat race day, the side effects of pouring so much physical effort and mental commitment into preparing for a single race, can last a lifetime. more
Virginia's Jennifer Cromwell grew up in a very athletic family and found rowing during high school in Seattle. She has spent the last three seasons stroking the UVa Varsity 8+, and is looking to cap her career in style this spring. The Cavalier senior is the subject of this week's row2k Interview. more
High school junior Carolyn Schneller has quickly found success in rowing, finishing second overall in the Junior Women's event at last month's C.R.A.S.H.-B.s. She was the fastest American in the event, representing Western Albemarle; a new program in Virginia. row2k sat down with Carolyn for a quick chat about how she got started in rowing and what her future plans in the sport are. more
Alaskan native Lindsay Olsen starting rowing last year as a novice on the Williams women's team. She missed being on the water of her father's fishing boat so decided to give it a try and so far it has stuck. Olsen is the subject of row2k's latest collegiate interview. more
This week's row2k interview is with Yale senior Alice Henly. Henly has had a busy three and a half years since enrolling in New Haven; including winning two NCAA championships in the Varsity 8, as well as a win at the 2009 Henley Women's Regatta. This past December, she had the chance to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Denmark. more