Welcome to Avalon Rowing

Our Story

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A long time ago on the banks of a very foggy river, several frustrated rowers met before dawn, clad in ancient spandex, old socks and most sacred flip flops. The season had been a long and hard one. An evil enchantress has cast spells among the devoted causing riggers to loosen, boats to become heavy and bridge arches to narrow. Many who were called to the water fell away, leaving only a tenacious few who suffered under the enchantresses curses of "politics" and struggled to overcome and row beyond the "who said what to whom" syndrome. One morning, before the sun rose, the valiant few ritualistically trudged down single file to the water and met at their customary time only to find that the junior program had taken their equipment to a regatta and they were left with an ancient wooden boat that should be hanging over a salad bar. In total frustration, they threw their blistered and calloused hands in the air and wailed. Their cries pierced the night, and the water stirred. From a spot on the lake where a ribbon of moonlight reflected on the water, a maiden arose. Her blue JL fit her flawlessly, and she walked from the water carrying her oars, she stooped a little to the left (it was apparent to all that she had rowed starboard for years), and her calves showed the telltale slide bite marks of a competitor.... She looked at the wailing women and said, "You are not alone ... there are others, follow me and I will bring you together - but bring a wrench the boat needs to be rigged" ... and with that the fog parted, and Avalon began.

Testimonials

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CC Stokly - Yarmouth, Maine

posted Oct 15, 2009, 2:51 AM by CUA CREW [ updated Jul 7, 2013, 9:54 PM ]

I started rowing in boarding school at 14, for unknown reasons. Girls were just starting to play organized sports as title IX trickled down from colleges. I was a horseback rider for much of my youth, and was clearly lacking any desire to whack, kick, throw, chase or otherwise interact with anything spherical. My father coached track, so that ruled out running. Both of my grandfathers rowed, and my older brother, only a year ahead of me, had joined Crew. So there I went. After college, where I rowed intramural lay, I gave it up for a long time -- marriage, kids, lack of opportunity. I happened upon rowing in Maine through the parent of a child's friend, and leapt in with both feet in 2006 (?). A boat mate of mine was approached by an Avalonian, and she convinced me to head out to The Crew Classic that winter. For some reason, Sally took to me, and I've been an Avalonian ever since. Avalon is important in its mission to keep rowing and racing fun and inclusive. We are women who enjoy each others company, who love adventure, and who are always willing to pitch in to help someone. The women (and men) of the club accept and adapt to other rowers peculiarities with grace, we celebrate each others' strengths and love the process of rowing perhaps even more than the act of winning.

Linda Ensor - Red Bank, New Jersey

posted Oct 15, 2009, 2:50 AM by CUA CREW [ updated Jun 30, 2013, 11:11 AM ]

I came to the sport of rowing through my kids; both rowed as youth for Navesink River Rowing, and their dad and I traveled with them to the regattas and quickly came to realize how great a sport crew is. When our son bought a summer membership in 2006--only to abandon his plans to row daily when he, a port rower in a straight 4 flipped a Maas 24 three times within the first 500m of his row -- we traded his membership for credit against the cost of beginner lessons. Late in the summer of 2006, then, I took lessons in a Maas Aero and became an addict. In 2007 I began to compete with my fellow masters women in quads, and all went well for a bit. Unfortunately, my passion for rowing did not always match theirs, and in 2008 I discovered Avalon through a rowing friend, Karen Becker. I contacted Sally, joined Avalon, and have been a happy member since then. Avalon is quite important to all its members, for it provides us with opportunities to train and to compete throughout the year. Sally's determination to provide opportunities to anyone who wants to row is fundamental to the organization, and it has allowed me to be boated with women throughout the United States. View More Items