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July 2007 Edition
Rowing school floats gently down stream
by Michael Martucci
HL&T Writer
In 2006 after years of giving rowing instruction at other outlets Cynthia Cole founded her own school. Despite the name, The Washington Rowing School offers classes at the Bladensburg Waterfront. The transplanted Cole, originally from upstate New York has been a resident of the D.C. Metro region since 1979. Having spent many years as business manager for a boating repair establishment she not only knows the financial aspect of boating, but also the sport and recreation that can come from it.
In Boston during her college years she was part of the rowing establishment, perhaps because she sought to do something different. With that departure from the norm Cole found additional benefits.
"Fitness is a pleasant side effect," she said. "It just feels so good to do."
This hobby and sport has played a significant role in a portion of her life. It has her eyes open. What she is seeing is an attraction from the public to an endeavor that she finds exhilarating and freeing.
"So many people know how much fun rowing is," Cole said.
She is excited as she finds the sport in rapid growth. She has taught at the Potomac Boat Club, and has trained individuals and crews in all sorts of settings, from the novice to the experienced, for decades.
Susan Dorn, a University Park resident, is one of Cole's students She said that the intense workout is working wonders for her physical and mental health.
"[Cynthia Cole] is a laid back, but intense instructor; supportive and positive," she said.
During participation at a regatta Cole hit on the idea of offering classes at the Bladensburg waterfront. The water there - sheltered, very calm, and with few pleasure crafts to interfere - is an ideal location for rowing instruction, she said.
And her enterprise is just being launched. As a coach at Walter Johnson High School she got to know the facility and the renovation that took place at the waterfront.
Cole is looking for students, adventurous and otherwise, to participate in her rowing program. Each session lasts about an hour and a half. Over the course of five outings, Cole is confident that anyone can become competent on the water, learning to row properly and very likely having the time of your life.
"I just love when the light goes on and you see it in their eyes" she said, adding that in her experience people usually find out early on how much fun this activity can be.
"Students can go one of two different ways, recreational or competitive," she said. Cole knows intimately about both having won her share of rowing trophies plus the stress relief and fitness that her sport can bring you.
"You might get hooked" she said. "You might get in a boat and say this is great."
Of the fitness aspects Cole says that rowing requires your whole body, its strength and stamina. If you don’t have any of that at the beginning of your sessions, you certainly will develop them. Those are byproducts of the active learning process of rowing, she said. It may sound challenging but Cole alludes to the pleasure of it that so many people discover once they get on the water.
"You have to concentrate on both oars and balancing the boat" she said. The occupation of your mind is where one finds the relief. As Cole explains it: "It’s meditative. It requires all of your focus."
For information on rowing classes contact Cynthia Cole at 202-344-0886 or visit www.washingtonrowingschool.com.
Rowing school floats gently down stream
by Michael Martucci
HL&T Writer
In 2006 after years of giving rowing instruction at other outlets Cynthia Cole founded her own school. Despite the name, The Washington Rowing School offers classes at the Bladensburg Waterfront. The transplanted Cole, originally from upstate New York has been a resident of the D.C. Metro region since 1979. Having spent many years as business manager for a boating repair establishment she not only knows the financial aspect of boating, but also the sport and recreation that can come from it.
In Boston during her college years she was part of the rowing establishment, perhaps because she sought to do something different. With that departure from the norm Cole found additional benefits.
"Fitness is a pleasant side effect," she said. "It just feels so good to do."
This hobby and sport has played a significant role in a portion of her life. It has her eyes open. What she is seeing is an attraction from the public to an endeavor that she finds exhilarating and freeing.
"So many people know how much fun rowing is," Cole said.
She is excited as she finds the sport in rapid growth. She has taught at the Potomac Boat Club, and has trained individuals and crews in all sorts of settings, from the novice to the experienced, for decades.
Susan Dorn, a University Park resident, is one of Cole's students She said that the intense workout is working wonders for her physical and mental health.
"[Cynthia Cole] is a laid back, but intense instructor; supportive and positive," she said.
During participation at a regatta Cole hit on the idea of offering classes at the Bladensburg waterfront. The water there - sheltered, very calm, and with few pleasure crafts to interfere - is an ideal location for rowing instruction, she said.
And her enterprise is just being launched. As a coach at Walter Johnson High School she got to know the facility and the renovation that took place at the waterfront.
Cole is looking for students, adventurous and otherwise, to participate in her rowing program. Each session lasts about an hour and a half. Over the course of five outings, Cole is confident that anyone can become competent on the water, learning to row properly and very likely having the time of your life.
"I just love when the light goes on and you see it in their eyes" she said, adding that in her experience people usually find out early on how much fun this activity can be.
"Students can go one of two different ways, recreational or competitive," she said. Cole knows intimately about both having won her share of rowing trophies plus the stress relief and fitness that her sport can bring you.
"You might get hooked" she said. "You might get in a boat and say this is great."
Of the fitness aspects Cole says that rowing requires your whole body, its strength and stamina. If you don’t have any of that at the beginning of your sessions, you certainly will develop them. Those are byproducts of the active learning process of rowing, she said. It may sound challenging but Cole alludes to the pleasure of it that so many people discover once they get on the water.
"You have to concentrate on both oars and balancing the boat" she said. The occupation of your mind is where one finds the relief. As Cole explains it: "It’s meditative. It requires all of your focus."
For information on rowing classes contact Cynthia Cole at 202-344-0886 or visit www.washingtonrowingschool.com.
