Start your engines! Get to know Indianapolis Rowing Center, host of the 2023 USRowing Masters National Championships. We talk with IRC board President Janet Francis, Masters Head Coach Zach Christopher, and recent LTR grad Lisa Stickley. Developed in the 1980s, the race course at Eagle Creek remains one of the country’s premiere venues, host to PanAm Games, World Rowing Championships, NCAA Championships, and a lot more. Get an inside scoop on Vendors Village, course strategy, and IRC, Indy’s only rowing club.

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QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Intro/Lead-in 02:35 - Welcome and The Huddle 05:06 - Rowing week and local tornado 07:00 - Hot Seat Q&A 12:13 - Rowing origin stories: Zach, Lisa, then Janet 17:50 - Rowing into our 80s 20:19 - Janet’s role as IRC president, current challenges and plans/ initiatives  24:13 - A local’s perspective on Eagle Creek 27:25 - IRC is the only rowing center in Indy, and offers programs for all ages 30:41 - Volunteering for Masters Nats 31:11 - Recruiting new members 33:18 - Rowers sure do love talking about rowing… 36:46 - the development of IRC at Eagle Creek for a premiere rowing venue 39:55 - committees and community partnerships make big events possible 41:37 - Vendor village, the beach where there shall be no swimming, beer garden, and coxswain tosses are approved. 43:41 - First Masters Nationals experiences 48:51 - IRC Course trade secrets 50:44 - Sign off

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To see photos of Janet, Zach, and Lisa, and to get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by RowSource, Barb, EB5 Investors, Concept2, and our Patrons.