Program Director

Rich Whelan

Rich was first exposed to rowing as a Freshman at the University of Lowell when he saw a boat set up outside the Student Activities Center.  Curious about the sport, he joined the rowing team and in his first year of rowing, was a member of the Men's Novice 8 that achieved a first place finish at the Numerica's Cup Regatta (now the New Hampshire Championships Regatta). Although he enjoyed the sport, that would be his final season of collegiate rowing as Rich dedicated his time to his studies in Communications.

While on vacation in Portugal during the fall of 2005, Rich was walking along the Douro River in Porto and heard the familiar sounds of rowing.  This was the catalyst that drove him back to rowing and an online search led him to the website for Gentle Giant Rowing. Growing up in Everett and as a current resident of Somerville, the location on the Mystic and Malden Rivers was perfect and it excited him to see that the club was so close to home and joined the club. When he lined up to carry the boat to the river and put "hands on" for the first time in 16 years, he was instantly hooked back into the sport. 

Rich has competed in several regattas with Gentle Giant Rowing including the Head of the Charles. His enthusiasm for the sport and the club allowed him to become a coach for the Malden High School Rowing Team as well as the Gentle Giant Youth. Rich is currently head coach for the GGRC Youth and GGRC Evening Masters programs, is currently a member of the Head of the Charles Race Operations Group, Commodore of the CRASH-B Sprints - World Indoor Rowing Championships, and is a licensed US Rowing Assistant Referee.  Rich has a BS from Southern New Hampshire University and lives in Melrose with his wife Célia.

Morning Head Coach

Ashley Blake

Morning Assistant Coach

Stacie Hill

Morning Assistant Coach

Becca Veninsky

Evening Head Coach

Rich Whelan

Spring Youth Head Coach

Rich Whelan

Spring Youth Assistant

Caitlin Smith

Summer Youth Head Coach

Rich Whelan

Summer Youth Assistant Coaches

Caitlin Smith

Learn to Row Coaches

Conor Rachlin

Emma Czwakiel

Sculling Saturday Coaches (Schedule Rotates)

TBD