COACHES

US Rowing Level II Coach

Heather began rowing in her 40’s and decided to put her teaching degree to continued use and help other Masters rowers learn the sport. Her love of being on the water in the coaching launch or in a shell rowing, has recently taken her to The Berkshires in Massachusetts and Tampa, Florida, where she has coached sweep and sculling for both Juniors and Masters.

US Rowing Level II Sweep and Sculling Coach

Todd Antrim began rowing after running into Coach Mike Stemo while helping at a Special Olympics erg event and has been improving his technique ever since. (Thanks, Mike…it was a rough start!) Todd happily helps as TACR’s volunteer boatman, erg coach, and is a USRowing Level 2 Certified Coach. As a recent retiree, Todd enjoys rowing with other clubs while traveling. He loves meeting new people and sharing in the social rewards of rowing.

Sweeping Coach

Looking to continue competitive sports in college, Chris was introduced to rowing by a friend his senior year of high school. Hooked, he continued rowing at GVSU during his college years. Chris had the opportunity to compete across the country and overseas, including HOCR, Dad Vail, San Diego Crew Classic, and British Henley. He always enjoys his time on the water with the rowers of TACR of all abilities, and mainly specializes in sweep rowing. 

US Rowing Level II Sculling Coach

Melissa Fournier began rowing in 2002 with The Detroit Boat Club Crew.  She was instrumental in bringing the sport to Northern Michigan as a co-founder of both the Lake Leelanau Rowing Club and Traverse Area Community Rowing.  Melissa was the first woman to race for LLRC when she sculled her single in the World Rowing Masters Regatta in St. Catharines, Ontario (2010), and rowed bow seat in the women's 4x- in the Head of the Charles Regatta (2022), TACR's first crew to row HOCR.  She is a USRowing Level 2 Certified Coach whose goal is to help make rowing accessible to all.  She most values the “community” in Traverse Area Community Rowing.

US Rowing Level II Sweep and Sculling Coach

Mike was introduced to rowing at the University of Wisconsin in 1976, was a member of 2 National Championships teams and achieved varsity status in his senior year at UW. Post-graduation from UW, various job transfers took Mike away from rowing until 1993 when a transfer brought the family to Norwalk, CT and work in NYC. In Norwalk Mike was a member of the Norwalk rowing club, assisted with coaching and started the Northeast Jr. Championship regatta in 1998. Mike also rowed on the Master's squad that competed in races from Boston to Delaware.  Mike's Masters 4+ was noted as one of the elite boats in the Northeast, winning numerous races from 1996 to 2000.

Mike and his family moved to the Grand Rapids area in 2001, and he immediately joined the Grand Rapids Rowing Association. Mike was given a short introduction to GRRA and was elected to be President in 2002... a role that he held until 2008.  Mike coached both Adults and Jrs, with the club experiencing significant growth and participation by athletes ranging in age from late 20's to early 70's.

In late summer 2013 Mike moved from Grand Rapids to Traverse City to reduce a commute to Charlevoix. (HQ office for Market Technologies.) The move was combined with taking on the dual roles as coach and officer for the Lake Leelanau Rowing Club (LLRC).

Mike transitioned to Traverse Area Community Rowing (TACR), in late fall 2015, and currently is involved as a coach with TACR.  TACR provides indoor & outdoor rowing programs with a primary objective to bring rowing to the community in Northwest Lower Michigan.   

Mike’s comment: “as a coach it is great to see the enthusiasm of new rowers develop their skills; plus, put individuals in contact with an outdoor activity that can be part of a lifelong experience.”

Erg Coach

Cindy Diver is a physical therapist in Traverse City. She has been rowing for five years and is a Certified Erg Instructor by UCanRow2. Cindy likes teaching the mechanics of rowing to help athletes consistently improve their technique over the long term. Cindy coaches in a way that allows rowers to get a good workout, improve their skills and have fun.

Erg Coach

Lisa is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and enjoy the sport of rowing. As a UCanRow2 certified erg coach, she focuses on teaching proper technique to maximize performance and minimize injury risk. Lisa started rowing with TACR IN 2020 and enjoys the fun, social atmosphere of the team. 

Erg Coach

Kristi began rowing with TACR in 2021 and enjoys the community rowing brings, whether it's on the water, volunteering, or at social events. She became a certified Erg Instructor through UCanRow2 in 2023 and likes helping rowers achieve their goals and seeing them succeed on the erg and in the water. 

Erg Coach

Danette Terzano rowed for Carlson High School out of the Ecorse Boat Club on the first Junior Girls rowing team in the state of Michigan from 1986-1990. She competed nationally and internationally, including at the Canadian Schoolboy and Henley Regattas in St. Catharines, Ontario. Danette is a Beachbody Coach and a Certified Erg Instructor by UCanRow2. She is passionate about sharing her love of rowing and inspires others to train to their highest potential.