The Marin Rowing Association

History

Marin Rowing History

Award Winners

Coaches' History

Mens Youth Nationals History

Womens Youth Nationals History

Varsity Boys 2K Erg History (must be VB or Alumni)

Junior National Team

Senior National Team

The Marin Rowing Association is located at 50 Drakes Landing Road in Greenbrae, Cal. If you are traveling from the South: Go North on 101, take the San Anselmo exit; left on Eliseo; left on Drakes Landing Rd. From the North: Go South on 101; Kentfield/Sir Francis Drake exit; left on Eliseo; left on Drakes Landing Rd. From the East: take the Richmond Bridge to the Sir Francis Drake exit; go under 101 staying West on Sir Francis Drake; left on Eliseo; left on Drakes Landing Rd.

The Marin Rowing Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1968 by Coach RC "Bob" Cumming. For the first 8 years the program was high school boys from Redwood High school and what we called the "cardiac 8+". The cardiac 8+ was a small group of men who had previously rowed in college and continued to row on Sunday mornings. That group of men, including Olympian Dick Draeger, held the facility and equipment together. In 1977 Cal rower Jana Barto began a high school program for women from Redwood High and today both teams row under the name of the Marin Rowing Association. In 1982 Olympian Lou Lindsey joined Coach Cumming to run the men's team. Lou took over in 1984 after the death of Coach Cumming.

We no longer recruit our juniors from just Redwood High, we are a club team that recruits non-rowers from the local high schools in Marin County. The tradition of the junior program at Redwood, and now Marin, runs strong. The boys of Redwood Crew are well known for their speed and strength, going undefeated for many years. Numerous Marin Juniors have raced on Junior National Teams throughout the years, including Scott Munn, Fred Honebein, Tim Evans, Tim and Jerome Ryan, Mike Altman, Nito Simonsen and Maren McCrea. The junior womens' program came on strong in 1990 and has since taken home 13 medals (8 Gold, 3 Silver, 1 Bronze) in the past 15 years at the State Championships. Both teams are proud of the traditions started by Coach Cumming and Jana Barto, and remain dominating programs today.

In 1984, Jana Barto and Joan Corbett started a rowing program for adult women. Originally the rowers were moms of the junior women and men, but today that original program has split into beginning, intermediate and advanced levels for men and women, with the competitive/advanced level winning numerous gold medals at State Championship races, the Masters Nationals and the FISA World Regatta.

In 1979 the MRA set out to build a new boathouse. After finding a site, obtaining permits, raising money and negotiating with the City, construction of a new boathouse commenced. In February of 1993 Marin Rowing moved into the new $350,000 facility. This original facility was built by the members, led by parents of the junior program and other adult members with the skills needed. It stored 9 eights, 7 fours, 3 doubles, 13 singles in addition to 53 privately stored singles and doubles. There was a small upstairs area that held weight equipment and 12 ergometers. In 2000, we had outgrown our new boathouse and plans were drawn up for an expanded facility including a 3rd boat bay, full locker rooms, workshop, expanded upstairs with room for 50 ergs, a large classroom and offices for the Director and coaches.

In June of 2003 we moved all the equipment outside and construction began. Fundraising efforts were impressive as the members and parents joined together to raise the full cost of $ 1.3 million and in June of 2004 we moved into the spectacular facility.

Last Updated Tuesday, February 03 2009 @ 03:47 PM PST