LMRC COACHES

Max signed up for learn to row through LMRC’s Laney College grant program. He was hooked from day one because rowing combined all his favorite things: water, community, birds, physical challenges, and the need to work together. He started rowing with the novice team and he now rows with the intermediate team and cox's for any team that needs it.

Currently he is enrolled at Samuel Merritt University, getting his masters degree in Occupational Therapy. His favorite foods include laminated dough, haiga rice, and anything cooked by his girlfriend/Lake Merritt’s Number One Fan, Dana Croteau. Max has a cat and a bunny and will talk to you about animals anytime you like. Or rowing. Or anything else, really. 

Coach Connie started rowing in 1985 at the University of Freiburg in Germany and continued to row competitively in Canada (Trent University), Switzerland (Rowing Club Bern), and in the USA (San Diego RC, Syracuse RC, and Lake Merritt RC.).    

Connie has been coaching youth and adult teams of all skill levels for over 20 years. She began coaching at Lake Merritt Rowing Club in 2009 and currently coaches the LMRC Recreational Team as well as the LMRC Youth Team. In addition, she teaches Community-Learn-To-Row classes and has been involved in the organization of various team building events.

When she is not at Lake Merritt, you will either find her at the College of Alameda where she teaches Biology and Oceanography, or on one of the many Bay Area trails with her Golden Retriever companion Finn.

Olivia has been rowing since the summer of 2007. Originally from the East Coast, she learned to scull and sweep on the Delaware River. She rowed in high school and college.

Now a California transplant, Olivia enjoys getting to row and coach year round (hello CA winters!). Olivia has coached at several clubs over the past 10 years across all different ages and levels.

Olivia firmly believes that rowing is a lifetime sport. She loves sharing the joy of rowing with others and pushing rowers at all levels to find their best.