Vision

The Norwalk River Rowing Association (NRRA) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization which promotes a lifelong passion for the sport of rowing among its Adult and Youth members who love Competition, Teamwork, Excellence, and Fun. We are dedicated to providing educational and athletic opportunities for the youth of our communities, and promoting excellence in the sport of rowing for all age groups. Our goal is to be the preeminent community-based rowing center in the northeast United States.

History and Current Programs

The Norwalk River Rowing Association was founded in 1986 by Ralph E. Sloan, former Norwalk Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Norman J. Weinberger, Norwalk pediatrician, and a few local residents. Initially, our goals were modest: to provide rowing opportunities for adults and youth and to develop a competitive high school program. What began as a small group of enthusiastic rowers on Long Island Sound now serves over four hundred people a year, from throughout southwest Connecticut and into New York, ranging in age from twelve to seventy-six. Many of the founding members remain active participants at the NRRA today.

The competitive Masters (adult) programs annually produce national championship rowers. The Youth Program has over 140 students from more than a dozen school districts and regularly develops crews capable of competing at the national level. Reach Out and Row, our inner-city outreach program, fosters discipline, teamwork, self-esteem and respect for the environment with over 50 minority youth and deserving people. During the summer we introduce and teach rowing to over 200 youth and adults from Norwalk and the surrounding communities.

Staff

Brian Ambrette
Youth Middle School and Recreational Team Coach

After rowing competitively for four years on the NRRA High School Racing Team, Brian continued his collegiate rowing career racing four years for Middlebury College in Vermont. He won a bronze medal at the 2009 USRowing Club National Championships in the Senior Lightweight Double.  His 2003 and 2005 Novice Girls Teams won gold at the Northeast Junior Regional Championships and his 2004 Team placed 2nd. In 2006, his Boy's Open and Lightweight Eights both placed third at Regionals and qualified for the Youth National Championships. In 2010, his Girls Novice Four won silver at the Northeast Championships.

Jim Cooper: Equipment and Facilities Manager, Novice Boys Coach, Adult Intermediate Coach

Coop has rowed as an NRRA Masters competitor since 1988. He has won gold medals at every level of Masters rowing, and continues to train and compete. Coop is also the full-time Equipment Manager for the NRRA, keeping the ‘machinery’ running smooth. He is a coach for our morning Adult Intermediate women’s crew and afternoons with the Youth Program. Coop loves coaching because it gives him an opportunity to give back some of what the sport has given him, and he feels strongly that this sport is a model for exceptional character building. His successes are often measured with medals (many), but feels the admiration from Parents, Beginners, and the Youth athletes growth are what really drives him.
 
 

Melanie Jacobi: ROAR Director,
Development Team Head Coach

Melanie developed her passion for rowing as a walk-on athlete at Stetson University where she won medals at the FIRA Championships and was a finalist at the Dad Vail National Championships in the pair.  After graduating, Melanie joined Teach For America where she taught elementary students in inner-city Houston for 3 years.  A phone call from her former coach (Charles) was enough to convince her to take over the Outreach program here at the NRRA.   A native of Florida, moving to New England was a major step for her.  She can be seen frequently teaching kids how to row while bundled up in her new winter weather gear. 

Abby Neff: Adult Program Manager, Coach

Abby joined our Summer Staff in 2006 after racing on the high school team for 4 years. She attended Bucknell University where studied Environmental Studies and Classics. Rowing and Rugby were her sports of choice there. After graduation Abby did fire ecology research in North Cascades National Park and mapped unauthorized roads in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. She is extremely happy to be back home at NRRA.

Anthony Tabb: Office/Finance Manager

After 28 years of military service, this self-proclaimed "land lubber" is the glue that keeps us together.  Tony joined the staff in 2005 and brings a wealth of knowledge as an administrator and bookkeeping magician.  Having worked in human resources since 1977, his early days in the Army were spent as the Personnel Actions Branch Supervisor, Fulda, Germany coordinating US Passports.  The highlight of his time in the service was being a principal administrator with the Security Task Force during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah.  Tony continues to enjoy the challenges of human services.   

Don Loomis: Assistant Coach

Don Loomis, educated at Georgetown University, began rowing at St. George’s College, Weybridge in the UK and continued at Georgetown competing on the lightweight crews. Don returned to rowing as a master rower in the mid 1980s, winning US Masters Nationals in 1993 and Masters Worlds in 1991, 1993 and 2001. Prior to coaching at GMS Rowing Center, Mr. Loomis coached Norwalk River Rowing Association’s junior program in the early 90’s. Don is a certified Level One coach (US Rowing Certification).

Sarah Tiedge: Intermediate Adult, Head Coach

Sarah is an NRRA alumna.  She raced for the NRRA youth program from 2001-2003, earning an invitation to the Youth National Championship in the Women's Junior Eight and placing 7th.  She was recruited, and earned a scholarship, to Clemson University and graduated in 2007.  She now coaches NRRA's Intermediate Adult program in the mornings.