About Us
Freedom Rowers was established 2006 under the vision of Diana Lobien as a competitive rowing program serving as an alternative to the ball oriented sports typically offered by the schools and county programs. Diana forged our relationships with the YMCA, Evergreen Cove and town committees to give us a solid base of operation. She stayed with the team until the spring of 2011, when she passed the job to our current Executive Director, Chris Gill.
We are a 501(c) 3 educational non-profit with no school affiliation; our funding is derived from the support of private donors and program fees. Freedom Rowers is open to students aged 13 – 18 in schools from Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne Counties as well as home schooled children.
HISTORY AND OVERVIEW
$500.00 per season (includes at least 4 - 5 competitive regattas in the Mid-Atlantic area)
Spring: March thru May | fall: September thru November
we offer two seasons a year:
to keep our rowers in shape and giving them a chance to participate in erg/rowing machine competitions held in DC.
OPTIONAL WINTER TRAINING SEASON
also available:
Wednesday nights for those who want to keep up with their skills and have fun on the water.
SUMMER "OPEN ROW"
The Details
Our team can accommodate up to 40 rowers a season
2 - Eight person boats (60 feet long)
the current fleet includes:
4 – Four person boats
4 - Two person boats
5 Racing singles
We have 2 Boston Whalers which we use as chase boats…. always with the rowers during practice
6 TRAINING singles
Our Approach
Each rower has both their hands on one oar, rowing either “port” or “starboard” side.
SWEEP
WE TEACH TWO "TYPES" OF ROWING
When the rower has two oars in their hands.
SCULLING
Novice rowers typically learn to row in our large 8 person boats (sweep) and are later paired with JV and Varsity rowers to learn the skills needed for smaller boats or sculling.
Meet Our Team
Coach Chris Gill
Chris Gill has been the Executive Director and On-water Coach of Freedom Rowers since the Fall of 2011.
As Executive Director, Chris tends to the day to day activities of running Freedom Rowers; a non-profit 501(3)C, by supporting the coaches, Board of Directors and volunteers as they carry out the tasks of the organization. Acting as a spokesperson for Freedom Rowers includes staying in communication with the media, the community, the rowers and their families to maintain an environment which attracts, retains and motivates the organization in keeping with the goals of our program.
As one of the team coaches, Chris works with the Novice rowers to develop new skills in the boat and foster a sense of team pride.
Chris’s past includes a 15 year career as the Art Director of Chesapeake Bay Magazine. She has also spent time as an Events Coordinator, Substitute Teacher and a Management Consultant. (all which prepare her to work with kids!)
She holds a BA degree from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and lives on the Choptank River with her husband, and son, who was also a member of Freedom Rowers.
Coach Alex Greenlee
Coach Alex was raised on the eastern shore and went to Easton High School. He first joined Freedom Rowers in 2007, excited by the opportunity to explore the sport of rowing as his father and brother had done at St. Andrews. Like his brother, he wanted to be a coxswain. In the years after high school, Alex pursued a career of working with children, mainly at summer camps. He excelled at Waterfront programming and combined his passions of boats and teaching. In 2016, he joined the team again as a coach, excited to impart his love for the sport to the next generation of Rowers.
Contributes to the health of mind and body
We believe in rowing
Fosters team spirit
Builds self-confidence
Will offer opportunity for travel and adventure
Will build lasting friendships with others who participate in this sport
Offers youth the opportunity for advanced education through scholarships
Provides the opportunity for a deeper appreciation for nature and hands-on education about the physical world (fluid dynamics)
Offers opportunity for participation to youth who might not be interested in ball oriented team sports
Freedom Rowers
Core Values of
As an inclusive organization, we value the skills, strength, and intelligence of everyone in our diverse community and we will strive to have a team that is representative of this. Realizing that this community has a wide range of ages, we hope to foster relationships between adults and youth in which young people will learn from the experience of the adults, and the adults will appreciate the gifts of young people. As a group, we value higher education and are committed to offer a program that will hone the skills of participants so that they can be candidates for institutions of higher learning.
We believe the skills learned in rowing benefits health, fosters mental discipline, improves confidence and heightens appreciation for the beauty of the world in which we all live and work.
We are committed to cooperative work and play; integrity in relationships and responsibilities; total commitment on the part of participants to the purpose of his/her team and the mission of this organization; and respect for the leaders of this organization.
