About Us
Freedom Rowers was established 2004 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
$550.00 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.
SUMMER "LEARN-TO-ROW" CLASSES
Scheduled during the summer as a 4 day introduction to the skills and techniques used in the team "sweep boats"
Also offered is an introduction to sculling in single shells.
OPTIONAL WINTER TRAINING SEASON
also available:
Please refer to latest updates on our Home page.
For summer scheduling of classes, please inquire at the end of May
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 Staff
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 John. Their son Zach is a Freedom Rowers alumni.
contributes enormously to the health of mind and body
We believe rowing...
fosters team spirit and the realization a boat can only go fast when everyone is working and pulling together
offers opportunity for travel and adventure
will build lasting friendships with others who participate in this sport
offers opportunity for advanced education through scholarships
provides a deeper appreciation for nature and hands-on education about the physical world (fluid dynamics)
offers opportunity for those who might not be interested in ball oriented team sports
Freedom Rowers
Core Values
As an inclusive organization, we value the skills, strength, and intelligence of everyone in our diverse community and strive to create a team culture that is representative of this belief.
Realizing our community has a wide range of ages, we hope to foster relationships between adults and youth where young people learn from the experience of the adults, and the adults can better 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.
