Competitive Masters Women's Team

About us:

We are a group of experienced rowers of varying ages, backgrounds and athletic abilities who have been drawn together by a common love and vision of rowing. We are a highly motivated group that recognizes individuals’ strong desire to compete as well as balance professional lives and family. Our structured and social atmosphere makes this competitive group a rewarding experience.

About our practice schedule:

Organized practices take place 3 times a week year round. The On-the-Water Season generally runs from April to November. We practice from 5:30am-7:00am on Monday & Wednesday mornings, and 7:00am-8:30am on Saturday mornings. These are coached practices that take place on the calm water of the early morning. The focus of Water Season is to prepare for competition at Summer and Fall regattas by enhancing our individual and team rowing abilities.

Winter Training traditionally starts in mid-November and continues until March. Week-day practices are still Mon & Wed 5:30am-7:00am; the week-end practice switches to Sunday morning from 7:00am-8:30am and is often a joint practice with the men’s team. Practices consist of erg workouts prepared by our coach, video sessions and coached in-door tank rowing. The focus is on staying in shape during the “off season”, technique and application of power.

Members understand that rowers need to balance their commitment to the team with their other life commitments; however, they also recognize the high value of consistent training and team participation. In addition to the three weekly-coached practice sessions, many members also dedicate themselves to additional training in the form of strength training, cardio workouts, individual sculling and/or additional erg training.

About our Coach:

Don Heckenstaller has 30+ years of rowing experience & 14 years of coaching experience. He most recently was the assistant coach for the varsity & novice women at the University of Pittsburgh during their 2006/2007 season. Prior to that he coached at North Allegheny H.S. from 1993 – 2006. During his tenure, his boats have achieved numerous gold medals at prestigious national regattas.

In 2006 he coached a Junior Women’s quad to a win at the Junior National Trials and they represented the United States in the Junior Worlds in the Netherlands.

As a rower he received many medals including three Gold Medals in the Lightweight Single, and four Gold Medals in the Mixed Double at Master’s National regattas. As a college rower he was a member of the Freshman 8+ at Florida Institute of Technology that won a Gold Medal at the prestigious Dad Vail regatta.

About our Assistant Coach:

Jeff Lowe has 20 years of coaching experience. He was the Head Coach for the Duquesne Women's Team in 1986 when the program was established as a club sport thru to 2002. He is responsible for shaping that program into the highly successful & competitive program it is today.

About joining the team:

Members of the Competitive Masters rowing team are required to:

1. Have some rowing/racing experience

2. Be a dues-paying member of TRRA

3. Be a dues-paying member of the Masters Team

4. Love to Row

In addition, to participate in USRowing-sponsored races, you must be a current member of USRowing.

To become a member of TRRA, contact the administrative office at the Lambert Boathouse on Washington’s Landing. 412.231.8772 and/or
See Online Information

To become a member of the TRRA Masters Women Competitive Team contact either of our captains:
Luanne Suplick
Jen Brogan

Team Blog

2008 Summer Races

Pittsburgh Indoor Rowing Championships – February 2

Pittsford Regatta – May 31, Pittsford, NY

Schuylkill Navy Regatta – June 14, Philadelphia, PA

Diamond State Master’s Regatta – July 27, Middletown DE

Canadian Masters National Championships – August 15–17, Guelph, ON, Canada

2008 Potential Fall Races (Schedule Still TBD)

Head of the Cuyahoga – September 20, Cleveland, OH

Head of the Ohio – September 27, Pittsburgh, PA

Head of the Potomac - September 28, Washington, DC

Head of the Charles – October 18-19, Boston, MA

Head of the Schuylkill – October 25, Philadelphia, PA

Head of the Occoquan – November 1-2, Fairfax Station, VA