Q&A With the Baltimore Men’s Rowing Club
SouthBMore.com caught up with Chris O’Keefe of the Baltimore Men’s Rowing Club. The team recently competed in the 5,000-meter course at the Head of Charles regatta in Boston where they competed against the likes of Harvard, Boston University, George Washington University, and other clubs and colleges from around the world.
Tell us about the Baltimore Men’s Rowing Club.
The Baltimore Men’s Rowing Club was established in 1979 by former collegiate rowers and fitness enthusiasts. The team was built around competition and camaraderie. The men’s club team rows out of Middle Branch Park in Cherry Hill where their boathouse is located. The men’s team practices every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and competes in races across the United States. Each member of the team comes from a diverse athletic background. While some rowed in high school or college, those who did not came to the rowing club with the same goal in mind: to become more fit in a competitive and fun environment.
What makes up a successful rowing team?
A successful rowing team is comprised of knowledgeable coaches, focused athletes, and a relentless pursuit to master the rowing stroke. While having physically gifted athletes is a plus, a truly great team commits themselves to each other and recognizes they are the sum of their parts. This group of individuals continually strive for unity in the boat.
What was the experience like at the Head of the Charles regatta?
The Head of the Charles regatta is one of the most prestigious regattas in the world. With 11,000 competitors and more than 200,000 spectators it is truly a spectacle. For us to row there was truly an honor and one we will not soon forget. The hustle and bustle of athletes, and boats and viewers along the river combined with the history of Boston was fantastic. The energy of the event is felt all around the city. We circle this race on the calendar every year as we are truly on the global stage.
Who participated in the event?
The boat consisted of coxswain Lee Roman (UMBC graduate), Eric Schiffhauer (George Mason University graduate), myself Christopher O’Keefe (from Massachusetts and a St. Johns High School and Roger Williams University graduate), Will Gore (St. Pauls Schools for Boys in Maryland and a Hobart and William Smith Colleges graduate), and Jack Christ (Washington College graduate).
How can people get involved in the Baltimore Rowing Club?
The best way to get involved is to contact us through our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/baltimorerowing, website at www.rowinginbaltimore.com, or our Instagram @baltimoremensrowing.
About the Author: Kevin Lynch
Founder and Publisher of SouthBmore.com, longtime resident of South Baltimore, and a graduate of Towson University. Diehard Ravens and O's fan, father of three, amateur pizza chef, skateboarder, and "bar food" foodie. Email me at Kevin@InceptMM.com and follow me on Twitter at @SoBoKevin.
