SLRC NEWSLETTER
October 2026
Welcome to the October issue of the SLRC Newsletter.
Head Race Season is here. We’ve got info about upcoming Regattas.
Our cancer survivor Learn-to-row workshop is coming up at the end of the month. Finally we’ll get you up-to-speed on all of the exciting changes to our coaching staff. Happy Fall!
Masters at the Chicago River Half Marathon. September 2026.
Team Announcements
Masters
Head Racing season is right around the corner. This year, the Masters will be participating in the Head of the Rock on October 11th and the Head of the Hooch from November 7th-8th.
Juniors
Late September we welcomed young athletes to the boathouse for novice tryouts and look forward to growing our team this fall. The Juniors will also be competing in the following head races this season:
- Head of the Rock, 10/11
- Blake Haxton Head Race, 10/24
- Head of the Hooch, 11/7 – 11/8
🎃 Hold the Date 🎃
The Great SLRC Pumpkin Race & BBQ is back! Join us Saturday, October 17 at the SLRC Boathouse for an afternoon of racing, BBQ, games and fun with SLRC members and families!
This is a social event for the whole club — whether you want to race or simply come cheer, eat and hang out!
For those ready to race, Coach Tim will handpick mixed teams to compete in a one-of-a-kind challenge: race out to capture a floating pumpkin and bring it safely back to the dock. Bragging rights are on the line! (Weather permitting, of course.)
Where & When
SLRC Boathouse
3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Races begin: 3:30 p.m.
Food served: 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Want to Help?
We’re looking for volunteers to help make the event happen — including planning, setup, cleanup and food contributions.
To RSVP and/or volunteer or contribute side dishes/drinks, use the link below.
If you have questions, please direct them to: vicepresident@stlouisrowingclub.com.
Cancer Survivor Rowing Workshop
Offering a free rowing workshop for cancer survivors on October 24th
You can do hard things. You don't need to do them alone.
Discover the empowerment of rowing alongside fellow cancer survivors in a supportive, uplifting environment. No experience necessary! The only requirement is an interest in trying something new with other survivors and doing something fun and positive with your body.
- Learn the basics of rowing from experienced coaches
- Enjoy a fun, safe, and supportive team environment
- Connect with other survivors who understand your journey
- Learn about the importance of physical exercise to your physical and emotional healing
- Increase your level of fitness, range of motion, balance strength and endurance
- Light refreshments and a commemorative shirt provided.
We will take you through all the basics of sweep rowing: the rowing stroke, the equipment, technique and safety, both on land and on the water. We hope you can join us for this fun and celebratory event!
October 24th - 2:00 - 5:30 pm
Fundraising Update
Thank you, everyone, for an incredibly successful fundraising campaign! Your quick and generous response allowed us to take advantage of a special opportunity from Vespoli and purchase two new boats at a $20,000 savings. We have such a strong and supportive SLRC community, and this fundraiser was a wonderful testament to what we can accomplish together! The new boats will arrive in Spring 2027!
Mark your calendars for our next fundraising opportunity!
The SLRC Erg-a-thon is February 20, 2027. Stay tuned for more information and details on how you can get involved!
Upcoming Events
Don’t forget to check the calendar for upcoming events. We’ll keep this up-to-date with all things SLRC, and remember, you can use the subscribe button on the calendar page to sync the SLRC calendar to your favorite app!
Regatta Results
Some of our Adult Masters participated in the Chicago River Half Marathon in September. Pics below!
Coach's Corner
Each month we’ll use this space as a sounding board for our coaches. This month, a rundown of our new coaching structure!
SLRC Coaches
Tim Franck – Head Coach and Lead Coach for Varsity Boys and Masters
Julia Burroughs – Lead Coach for Varsity Girls, Intermediates and Sculling
Dean Hooks – Assistant Coach for Varsity Boys and Sculling
John Duncan – Assistant Coach for Varsity Girls and Sculling
Charnsin Tulyasathien – Assist. Coach for Varsity Girls and Boys, and Masters
Charlie Lebens – Assistant Coach for Intermediates
Finn Griskauskas – Assistant Coach for Varsity Boys
Andrew Grant – Co-Lead Coach for Novice Boys
Alton Hudson – Co-Lead Coach for Novice Boys
Peggy Francis – Co-Lead Coach for Novice Girls and Asst. Coach for Intermediates
Bill Curtis – Co-Lead Coach for Novice Girls
Cori Austin – Assistant Coach for Masters and Intermediates
Carissa Foster – Adult Learn-to-Row Coach
WE WANT YOUR VIDEOS AND PICS
We’re always looking for fresh content for the websites and socials, so if you’ve taken videos or pics at practices or regattas please share them with us. You can just click the email below and let ‘er rip. If you’ve got a video that’s too big to email, no problem, just let us know in an email that you’ve got an epic film to share with us and we’ll get you an upload link.
Thanks and can’t wait to see what you’ve got!!
Meet Our Members
Sarah Farr
Adult Rower (since 2024)
What do you love about rowing?
Because of rowing, I am stronger, happier, and more confident than I’ve ever been. I love being able to look back and see how much I’ve grown in less than a year because of this sport. The members of SLRC are so kind and encouraging, and it’s so nice to have a group of people I truly feel like I belong to.
How did you get into rowing?
I was out kayaking on the lake with my friend Meranda when we saw the rowing club out practicing. We joked that we should join, but then thought about it seriously. Because, wait, what if we DID?? And then we did. It has been one of the best decisions I’ve made for myself.
What has been your favorite rowing experience/memory?
My second race at the Hooch in ’24. Novice Women’s 8+. One of the best rows I’ve ever had. We ended up placing 3rd against a bunch of collegiate teams and we beat a club record for that particular event. We almost didn’t have a microphone for the cox box and we were lucky that our other boat in the event was able to deliver one last minute!
What is your favorite regatta and why?
Head of the Hooch! Racing against a larger number of teams made the pressure that much more intense, in the best way. Lots of good memories were made there.
What do you like to do when you’re not rowing?
I love finding new places to walk, playing badminton with my family, drawing, sewing, painting, and occasionally baking. I’m a hobbyist photographer as well, and have been spending more time with my camera. Big fan of hanging out with friends and trying new things 🙂
Anything else you’d like to share?
I think it’s really funny how a mouse getting into my gym bag one evening during practice was the start of me getting more involved with the club. A mouse obituary I designed for fun led me to becoming an active member of the communications committee. Rest in Peace, Lawrence.
Troy Black
Adult Rower (since 2024)
What do you love about rowing?
Everything! There is nothing like working together as a team disconnected from technology, focusing on a single task together. The sport is shockingly technical and once you get moving your heart rate is elevated so the only thing you can focus on is the present and watching the person in front of you. I keep going because of that feeling and the awesome friends I’ve made.
How did you get into rowing?
I used to live up in Creve Coeur and walked around the park multiple times a week. I noticed boats going out on the water while I was making my lap around the lake and found the club on Google Maps. I noticed an Adults learn to row class existed, and the rest is history.
What has been your favorite rowing experience/memory?
I fell in love with the sport the first time I was stroke seat in a 4 person boat. I had no one in front of me and got to see our groups efforts unimpeded as the water rushed by me. It took my breath away.
What is your favorite regatta and why?
So far, it’s been the Wichita regatta. One, because I grew up in Wichita so seeing how the sport I love and my hometown collide was welcome, but unexpected. The second, was because it was the first time I got to cox in a regatta.
What do you like to do when you’re not rowing?
Travel to new cities, and National Parks. Video games, cook, read, and listen to music. I’m all over the place, and love to try new things.