Greenville Indoor Rowing

This is unsolicited feedback I received in an email today from a former GIR Member that moved away from Greenville.

"GIR creates a space where people are gifted by the bonding of folks who were strangers to each other."

I've always said that we are not your typical gym or health club, and I believe this quote speaks volumes.

BIG Meter Milestone: Gene Rupe

Just got a text from Gene, telling me that he recently went over 48 Million Lifetime Meters!! Gene has been having issues with his legs and just rows on his erg at home now instead of trying to make it to The Oarhouse. I'm sure he will be making it back to the studio at some point, not to row, but to celebrate his 48 million meters with his rowing buddies!

Congratulations, Gene, very nice accomplishment. Row on, my friend.

New Crew: Fraser Young

Fraser came on 8-16 to give it a try because of the urging from his daughter, GIR crew member Angela Young. He was back again this morning to join and become a part of the GIR family of indoor rowers. He did his second class this morning.

Welcome, Fraser, glad to have you join us.

Meter Milestone: Ruth Pollow

This morning in our 9:15 class, Ruth hit the One Million Meter mark. Ruth is an avid skier and cyclist, that also rows with us at GIR. She has told me that rowing helps her in both of those other areas.

Congratulations, Ruth, on hitting that first million meters. Here is Ruth on the left with Debbie Busbey, her class leader from this morning. That smile says it all, Ruth, well done. Order your free t-shirt from Concept2 and I'll print and hang your certificate.

Double New Crew Members:
Jennifer Jones and Carol Dunaway

Jennifer and Carol live across the hall from each other. They met Theresa Dean and Penny Singer at a Book Luncheon recently, and she was telling them all about GIR. They came this past Wednesday night for a trial class. They were back this morning for our 9:15 class and to make it official that they "are in". Welcome to the GIR family of indoor rowers ladies. We are happy to have you rowing with us and I know for sure that you will be happy with your decision.

Thanks again to Theresa for yet another referral!

BIG Meter Milestone: Jack Turner

This morning in our 6am class, Jack Turner hit his target of 20 Million Lifetime Meters. Big congratulations Jack, very nicely done, that is a whole lot of meters.

Here are the 6amers that were there this morning to share in the accomplishment: From the left: GIR Instructor Ken Pelanda, Bob Smith, Cathy Pendergrass, Jack Turner and John Pendergrass.

Row on, Jack, row on.

New Crew Member: Jennifer Arrowood

Jennifer heard about GIR from crew member Theresa Dean, and she contacted me about coming to try it. She came this morning for her free orientation session and trial class. She did really well and right after class, she wanted to become a crew member as well.

Welcome to the GIR family of indoor rowers, Jennifer, and thank you to Theresa for the referral. Row Strong and Live Long!

Meter Milestone: Ross Nell

This morning in our 7:30am class, Ross Nell rowed past the 22 Million Lifetime Meter mark. For you non-metric folks, that is 13,464 miles that Ross has rowed. Congratulations, Ross, that is awesome. Your new certificate will go up later today.

Here is Ross with Jennifer Campbell, his class leader from this morning.

New Crew Member: JN Strausbaugh

JN came from his free orientation session and trial class this morning. He said that he had heard so many good things about GIR and what we do, that he wanted to come and see for himself. Thank you, Kathie Fagan and Ron Hedrick, for the referral and urging JN to try it.

JN is an elite level cyclist who rides about 250 miles per week, and he said after the class that he bought into everything that we are doing, and he wants to be a part of it.

Welcome to the GIR family of indoor rowers, JN, it will be great having you rowing with us. Rowing is something that you can do for the rest of your life.

New Crew Member: Ted Coia

Ted came last night for his free orientation session and trial class. He came due to the prompting of his neighbor, GIR crew member Tom Baliker. At the end of the session, Ted said that he wanted to also become a part of the GIR family.

Welcome aboard, Ted, it will be good to have you rowing with us. Row Strong and Live Long! Thanks to Tom Baliker for the referral. Since we don't advertise, we only grow by word of mouth. And, we have been growing that way since 2008.

Our unique studio wears multiple hats, so to speak. Yesterday we had two group rowing classes in the early morning. When the second class was over, we moved all of the rowing machines to open it up to make room for Laura to hold a special Yoga / Qigong / Gong experience in the late morning along with Kathy Barrett doing the gong sound bath experience. I went back this morning to put the studio back into rowing mode for tomorrow's classes.

Here are pictures from yesterday and again this morning. As you can see, we are not your typical fitness studio. Our members that come to GIR to improve their health and well-being, or for whatever reason, seem to think it's a pretty cool place. Perhaps you might want to give us a try.

Meter Milestone: Dan Benham

Another meter milestone to report today. Dan Benham has now rowed over the 5 Million Lifetime Meter mark. Here is Dan and his class leader, Debbie Busbey, celebrating his accomplishment. His new certificate will be going up at the studio this afternoon.

Congratulations, Dan, well done. Now you need to order your free 5-million-meter t-shirt from Concept2.

Meter Milestone: Ken Pelanda

GIR instructor, Ken Pelanda, led the 6am class this morning as he often does. This morning, he did something else, he hit 13 Million Lifetime Meters in the process.

Here is a shot of the class afterward the workout. Ken is the one in the grey shirt holding up one and three fingers.

Congratulations, Ken, very well done!

Meter Milestone: Beth DeNoma

I walked into the studio this morning at the end of our 9:15 rowing class. I was there to get the place ready for Laura's yoga class. As the rowers were cleaning their machines, Beth DeNoma had her phone in her hand and a huge smile on her face as she said to me, "I just hit my million meters!". I looked at class leader, Debbie Busbey, and said please get me a picture. You can see the joy in both of their faces, can't you!

Congratulations, Beth, well done. I've already printed your certificate and it will go up on our wall of fame this afternoon.

Special Guest Newbie: Sharon Evans

Earlier this week, I received a text from Sharon saying she was a 62-year-old competitive CrossFit athlete that wanted to improve her rowing abilities. She said she lived about an hour away from our studio but would be willing to make the drive to attend a trial class. I followed up with a phone call and we booked a seat in out 7:30am class yesterday. On the phone call, she told me that she had been following GIR for a couple of years and because she wanted to improve her rowing skills, she decided to reach out.

She came and we were both impressed. She loved the workout and the whole atmosphere. In talking with her after the class, I found out what she meant by "competitive" CrossFit athlete. She qualified for and competed in the CrossFit World Games and is #12 in the world in the over 60 age group. That, my friends, is VERY Impressive.

Before she left, she said she would definitely be back and would be rowing with us occasionally, due to the amount of travel time required to get to our studio. She will get a 10-class punch card, and since our punch cards don't have expiration dates, it will work perfectly for her. Welcome to the GIR family of indoor rowers, Sharon, it is an honor to have you rowing with us.

Returning Crew Member: Tracy Bills

Last night in our 5:45 class, it was my pleasure to welcome back Tracy Bills, who was a previous GIR member that has been away for an extended period of time. She is glad she is back and so am I.

She picked up the proper rowing technique like she had never been away and did really well last night in her return class. Welcome back, Tracy!! Row Strong and Live Long!

Meter Party: George Fox

Back at the end of May, we announced that Geore Fox had hit 3 Million Lifetime Meters. His 10:45 rowing partners said then that they would have a party at a later date. That later date was yesterday, after their 10:45 class. Here is George, on the left, with his rowing buddies from yesterday. Congratulations again, George!

Meter Milestone: John Pendergrass

I got a text this morning from John with this picture attached. The text simply said," Good morning Lowell, I turned 7 today!!!".

Here is John on the left and his class leader, Ken Pelanda, on the right. Can you tell from the smile on John's face that he was VERY happy to have reached 7 Million Lifetime Meters?

Congratulations, John. Very nice work!

Every Sunday morning, I go to the studio to do a deep clean and get the studio ready for the upcoming week. When I arrived this morning, this beautiful creature was on the door, waiting to get in. I had to tell it that we are closed on Sunday, but it wouldn't leave. It stayed for the 2+ hours that I was there and never moved. It was still there as I pulled away to go home.

Maybe it just likes looking at 21 idle Concept2 ergs.

New Crew Member: Michael Coupland

Mike came last week for his orientation session and trial class. After that class he said he really liked it and was pretty sure he wanted to join but wanted to wait a few days to see how he felt. I guess he felt fine as he showed up this morning for our 9:15am class ready to row. I'm sure you will be pleased with your decision.

Welcome to the GIR family of indoor rowers. We like to work hard and have fun while doing it. Row Strong and Live Long!

I'm sure you've never heard this before on this page, but the 9:15 MWF class had a party this morning. Really! They were celebrating the fact that these two folks had recently hit their first million meters. Congratulations again to Tammy Seaman and Rich Mead.

Well done by both of you. You should be very proud. No looking back now. It's on to two million meters. The second million always comes faster than the first million did.

New Crew Member: Jon Singer

Three days ago, I announced that Penny Singer had joined GIR after her mother, Theresa Dean, had joined nine days before that. This morning, Penny's husband Jon came to give rowing at GIR a try and joined immediately after class. I guess you could call it a family affair.

Welcome to the GIR family of indoor rowers, Jon, you have made a good decision. We look forward to having you row with us in the future. Row Strong and Live Long!

Meter Milestone: Tammy Seaman

Immediately after the 9:15 class ended this morning, Tammy walked up to me with her phone, and it was showing her ErgData app lifetime meters. She said "I just want to know if I have done what I think I have done. I think I just hit my one million meters." I told her yes; she had actually gone 120 meters past one million.

Congratulations, Tammy, well done. I'll put your certificate up in the morning and you should go ahead and order your free t-shirt from Concept2.

Meter Milestone: Bob Smith

I led the 6am class this morning. After class, Bob walks into the office and writes a note telling me that he hit 18 Million Lifetime Meters yesterday. I asked if we should take a picture of the two of us and he said no. That's just the way Bob is...wants no attention directed his way.

Here is the certificate that I will put up later today. Congratulations, Bob, very well done.

New Crew Member: Penny Singer

Nine days ago, I announced Theresa Dean as a new crew member. Last night she brought her daughter, Penny Singer, to class to give it a try. Immediately after class Penny said that she really enjoyed the class and wanted to join GIR as well. She has booked a seat in our 9:15am class on Saturday.

Welcome to the GIR family of indoor rowers, Penny. It will be great having you row with us. Row Strong and Live Long.

Meter Milestone: Mike Davis

Mike rows in our 9:15 classes on Tuesday and Thursday, but he also rows at home. He sent me an email last night letting me know that he had just hit the 7 Million Lifetime Meter mark. Here is the proof and it will go up at The Oarhouse later this morning.

Congratulations, Mike, for setting a goal and then working hard to reach it. Now it's on to 8 million. Row Strong and Live Long!

Meter Milestone: Jean Horney

After our 9:15 this morning, Jean gently reminded me of something that I had forgotten about. Right before I left for vacation at the beach for the week of Memorial Day, Jean told me that she had just hit 9 Million Lifetime Meters. I guess in my excitement to get to the beach, I totally spaced out her accomplishment. I apologized this morning and told her I would take care of it. Here is her certificate that I will hang tomorrow morning when I go to the studio.

Congratulations, Jean, on hitting that milestone. Very well done. Now it's on to 10 Million.

Meter Milestone: Gloria Vanderburgh

This morning in our 7:30m class, Gloria hit the 8 Million Lifetime Meter mark. She had obviously planned it out, preset her monitor for a given distance and rowed down from there, because she stopped right exactly at 8,000,000 meters. Well done, Gloria, I love it when a plan comes together.

Here is Gloria with her fellow rowers from this morning. Het certificate is printed and will be going up this afternoon at the studio.

Meter Milestone: Rich Mead

Got this text from Rich after our 9:15 class this morning:
"Well..I finally hit my first million meters".

620 miles on a rowing machine does not happen overnight.
It always seems like it takes forever, but the second million always comes faster than the first. Congratulations, Rich, nicely done. Now it's on to two million.

Here is his certificate that will go up at the studio tomorrow.