FOGC November Newsletter 2021

WELCOME

November signals the end of the year, the start of the holiday rush, and time to reflect with family and friends. A retrospective view of 2021 certainly elicits mixed emotions and yet there was a glue that seemingly held us together.

My glue has been my community. We all have one. It doesn’t have to be large, just a person or two to connect with, be yourself with, and cheer you on. Where ever you find your kinship, I am grateful for the community that is Greenwich Crew. I see community in our parents whether you are able to volunteer, serve on the Board, support our athletes from the sidelines, engage at our parent social, or celebrate the fabled “Monsters on the Mianus”. I see community in our athletes as they work through calloused hands towards a common goal, gather for re-emerging team dinners, and cheer each other on at races. Most importantly, I see community in our coaches who spend countless hours working with our athletes to ensure they become the best versions of themselves.

One coach that we’d like to highlight this month is, Scott Branscomb. Coach Scott has been instrumental in developing our young athletes at the middle school level and has introduced over 150 students to the sport of rowing through Greenwich Crew’s Learn-to-Row camps in collaboration with the AVID program. His positive energy has helped athletes to develop a strong work ethic, build trust, and spark a sense of confidence that will no doubt carry them forward in their lives. Coach Scott, you will be sorely missed!

As you spend time with loved ones this holiday season, we hope that you’ll celebrate the special attributes that each of you brings to the Greenwich Crew family.

GO GREENWICH!

Heidi Andersen, FOGC President

Memories of Coach Scott

“I worked as a summer camp coach this summer and one of the girls broke an oar in half one day… I always knew Scott had patience but I didn’t really realize just how much he had until he found out and said, “hmm, well, it happens. Let’s just put that one aside.” He’s really been a symbol of Greenwich Crew and I feel so lucky to have been able to learn from him!” Elle Krywosa

"Coach Scott was my very first introduction to the sport, in the summer of 2017. I had no idea what rowing really was, despite my sisters both doing it. I was very nervous, I remember, but quickly grew to love it. Coach Scott taught the skills of rowing that are essential to how I row, and in a fun way that so many kids enjoyed. I can’t imagine what my middle school, and now high school years would look like, if Scott hadn’t been my coach and my first introduction to Greenwich Crew. He’s an amazing coach and person, who will be greatly missed." Darin Wilkowski

"I was a part of both the middle school and comp dev programs with Coach Scott. Looking back on those practices, I remember his ability to making erging fun, which is no easy task! And despite how annoying and demanding middle schoolers tend to be, Scott always had a smile and positive attitude. I wish him the best at his new home and job."

Willem LeBrun

FOGC SCHOLARSHIP FUND

In this season of gratitude and giving, we hope that you’ll consider making a donation to the FOGC Scholarship Fund. Established in 2011, the FOGC Scholarship Fund, has awarded over $106,000 to athletes within our Greenwich Crew community. Funds not only provide assistance for registration fees but also auxiliary support for Greenwich Crew’s Learn to Row programs.

As we reflect on the past 18 months, the power of rowing becomes clear. Rowing has the ability to improve one’s physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. It builds community and models a team mindset. Rowing can be transformative.

This year FOGC plans to award nearly $20,000 in scholarships. Your generous support will enable us to remain committed to our athletes and ensure the power of rowing continues to be accessible to all regardless of background or ability.

With deep appreciation,

Heidi Andersen, FOGC President

LINK TO SCHOLARSHIP FUND INFORMATION

SCHOLARSHIP FUND DONATION

THANK YOU Coach Scott

I started rowing at 17 (well behind the youth athletes here at Greenwich!) in the fall of my first year at college. I was unsure whether I would be able to continue rowing after graduating and moving to North Carolina, but went to check out a local rowing club anyway. By chance, they desperately needed an assistant coach and I desperately needed a job, and I quickly found out I had a passion for sharing the sport I love with others. I passed the ten-year mark of that day stumbling into what has become my profession this past August!

One of my best memories of being a part of Greenwich Crew is having high school athletes whom I coached in middle school start to ask how they can coach, volunteer, or otherwise give back to the part of the program where they got their start. It's bitter sweet that I won't be around to see that come fully to fruition, but I hope they'll still do it even with someone else at the helm!

In general, my best memories are the thousand and one light bulbs I've been able to see go off when an athlete makes a connection, and the thousand-watt smiles of all the kids who have had a good practice, made a new friend, or learned something about themselves.

Read Scott's reflections on the Middle School Crew Program

NUTRITION TALK

Watch out for the new date.

Go to FOGC SmugMug Page

for photographs from the Fall Regattas and Monsters on the Mianus!

Mark your Calendar

December 1 - Winter Program begins. (It's not too late to sign up!)

Go to the Registration Webpage)

December 24 - January 2 - Holiday break

February 16 - 22 - Training Trip (select athletes only)

February 18 - End of Winter Program

June 17 - Year End Banquet at Hyatt, Greenwich

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

Have you every wondered what your rower is talking about ...

Rowing Shell Parts

Foot Stretcher: Adjustable plate where shoes are attached, allowing adjustment for length.

Oarlock: “U” shaped plastic part in which the oar is placed.

Rigger: metal or composite “arm” attached to the exterior of the boat that holds the oar.

Rowing Technique

Stroke: Not to be confused with the position in the shell, the stroke is divided into two parts: drive and recovery.

Drive: The phase of the rowing stroke where the blade of the oar is in the water propelling the boat forward.

Recovery: The phase of the rowing stroke where the blade is out of the water.

Catch: The end of the recovery, not the beginning of the drive. The hands are lifted, allowing the blade to fall in the water, just before the legs begin to drive.

Visit our website