Twenty years ago, friends Jack Tatelman and Paul Mazonson discovered a passion for rowing the beautiful waters off Marblehead. After completing their first Blackburn Challenge, a 20-mile open water rowing and paddling race around Cape Ann, they were inspired to start an ocean rowing club and named it Rock n Row.
Inexperienced rowers and largely self-taught, they hoped to encourage others to share their passion for rowing and build a community of rowers in our town. Twenty years later Rock n Row has become a thriving community based at the Beacon Street docks of Marblehead Trading Co.
With 73 members, the docks are busy most mornings with sunrise rowers venturing out at 5 a.m. and groups departing every few minutes. Tom Cheatam, club treasurer and rowing fanatic said, “Being out at sunrise is inspiring — just us, the birds, a few lobster boats and a beautiful sky, absolutely the best way to start my day.”
Each season the club admits a few new members we call Newbies.
“I love watching our Newbies grow from tentative rowers to competent oars people. Our mission is all about introducing people to the sport” said membership chairperson Susan Lewis. Co-founder Jack Tatelman coached Newbies for years and rallied club members to rock as well as row, hosting parties, shepherding Newbies to row Sunapee Lake and encouraging folks to get out and row.
Halfway Rock is a favorite destination. We are blessed to have an incredible ocean playground to discover. Gooseberry shoals, Outer Pig Rocks, Sand Dollar Cove, Misery Island — all favorite places to go.
We will celebrate our 20th season with a parade of rowing shells in the harbor. Neon Tide Water Parade begins at 9 a.m., July 25. Come celebrate with us at Fort Sewall or the State Street dock.
“We never envisioned Rock n Row becoming what it is today, a wonderful community of friends passionate about ocean rowing”, said co-founder Paul Mazonson. “We are grateful to Ralph Anderson, owner of Marblehead Trading Co, Harbormaster Mark Souza and the town of Marblehead for making this all possible.
Rock n Row, baby!
