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Rowers find a new life on the water

Rock Creek Rowing, with most of its members in their 50s and 60s, is one of a growing number of rowing clubs dotting the Potomac, Anacostia and Occoquan rivers.

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As early as 5:30 in the morning, four times a week, the teammates of Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River at Thompson Boat Center in Rock Creek National Park in Washington.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Teammates of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

Teammates of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Coxswain Desiree Boucher (with back to camera) along with, front to back, Lisa Deyo, Jill Feeney, Shirine Moazed, Barbara Miller, Catherine McMahon, Danna Katzman, Bonnie Hill and Margie Orrick row on the Potomac River.

Coxswain Desiree Boucher (with back to camera) along with, front to back, Lisa Deyo, Jill Feeney, Shirine Moazed, Barbara Miller, Catherine McMahon, Danna Katzman, Bonnie Hill and Margie Orrick row on the Potomac River.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Brent Keuch, 29, coaches the women of the Rock Creek Rowing club on the Potomac River. He also coaches the crew team at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria. Sometimes, he gives the members of Rock Creek Rowing the same drills that he gives his high school students on the crew team at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, “and they surprise me with how well they do.” Kuech adds, “I try to be mean sometimes, but I can’t. They are working so hard.”

Brent Keuch, 29, coaches the women of the Rock Creek Rowing club on the Potomac River. He also coaches the crew team at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria. Sometimes, he gives the members of Rock Creek Rowing the same drills that he gives his high school students on the crew team at Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria, “and they surprise me with how well they do.” Kuech adds, “I try to be mean sometimes, but I can’t. They are working so hard.”

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Rock Creek Rowing has 50 members, mostly men and women in their 50s and 60s. Only a handful have rowed longer than five or six years. In fact, the most common denominator among this team is that they once were curious parents who wondered whether crew team was as energizing as their teenage children said. Their kids went to college, got jobs, moved on from rowing, but their parents were just getting started in the sport.

Rock Creek Rowing has 50 members, mostly men and women in their 50s and 60s. Only a handful have rowed longer than five or six years. In fact, the most common denominator among this team is that they once were curious parents who wondered whether crew team was as energizing as their teenage children said. Their kids went to college, got jobs, moved on from rowing, but their parents were just getting started in the sport.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Coxswain Linda Porter, left, and rowers Robin Hassani, center, and Vaughan Olbrys practice on the Potomac River.

Coxswain Linda Porter, left, and rowers Robin Hassani, center, and Vaughan Olbrys practice on the Potomac River.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Members of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice four sunrises a week, have hired two coaches and compete along the Eastern Seaboard in tournaments for those 30 and older.

Members of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice four sunrises a week, have hired two coaches and compete along the Eastern Seaboard in tournaments for those 30 and older.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

A lamp is placed at the rear of an eight-rower boat for better visibility as members of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

A lamp is placed at the rear of an eight-rower boat for better visibility as members of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Members of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

Members of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

Margie Orrick, 58, who works as a technology consultant, and her fellow teammates of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

Margie Orrick, 58, who works as a technology consultant, and her fellow teammates of the Rock Creek Rowing club practice on the Potomac River.

Astrid Riecken / For The Washington Post

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