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Coaching Staff
Biographies and General Information
Travis Gardner, Senior Coach
YOUTH VARSITY GIRLS, YOUTH NOVICE BOYS, ADULT/MASTERS
In 2006, Travis Gardner founded Essex Rowing Club, Inc.—a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on advancing the sport of rowing. Since its inception, Essex has introduced over 550 athletes to the sport of rowing and currently maintains a roster of over 160 middle school, high school and adult athletes. Today, Gardner serves as Executive Officer and Senior Coach for the organization.
Prior to starting Essex Rowing, Gardner was Interim Head Coach for Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program, Inc., where he led the development and operation of the organization’s start-up rowing program. Within three months, Gardner built the program to over 50 youth and adult athletes, with his Women’s Novice 4+ taking gold in their very first competitive outing.
During this time, Gardner also served as a volunteer coach for the Boston College women’s program—supporting the development of BC’s walk-on novice athletes. Previously, he held coaching positions with the club program at Michigan State University and the University of Florida.
As an undergrad, Gardner rowed for the University of Florida, where he served as captain of the most successful novice team in the program’s history. While at UF, Gardner also trained and competed with Malta Boat Club in Philadelphia where he earned national titles in Intermediate and Senior Lightweight Quads and a win in the Senior B Lightweight Quad at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta in Ontario.
Gardner also raced competitively for the New York Athletic Club—winning his third national championship in the Senior Lightweight Double Scull.
Travis Gardner is a graduate of the University of Florida where he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis. Return to Top >
Mike Harrington, Freshman Coach
YOUTH VARISTY BOYS, YOUTH NOVICE GIRLS, ADULT/MASTERS
Bio coming soon. Return to Top >
Karl Beck, Coach
YOUTH BOYS
Karl Beck is a Coach for the Youth Boys’ team, along with Senior Coach Travis Gardner (novice) and Freshman Coach Mike Harrington (2v and 3v assistant). In addition to coaching, Beck manages our facilities and coordinates a number of aspects related to youth recruitment.
Prior to joining Essex, Beck was an Assistant Coach with Community Rowing, Inc. where he helped guide the Men’s Youth to top finishes in both regional and national competitions. Beck also served as Assistant Coach of the Men’s Varsity and Coach of the Men’s Novice team for Wayland-Weston Rowing Association as well as Men’s Open and Masters Sweep Coach for Riverside Boat Club.
Beck started rowing while attending the University of New Hampshire, continuing to train and compete after college with Riverside Boat Club and Gentle Giant Rowing Association. As a competitor, Beck has earned numerous distinctions including a second-place finish in the Senior 4- at the Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, and both a fourth-place finish in the Senior 4+ and a win in the Intermediate 4+ at the US Rowing Club National Championship.
Karl Beck holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New Hampshire where he majored in Interdisciplinary Mathematics/Economics.
Stacie Hill, Assistant Coach
YOUTH GIRLS, ADULT INTRO/NOVICE
Anastasia “Stacie” Hill is an Assistant Coach with Essex Rowing, working with Senior Coach Travis Gardner to support the Youth Girls and other programs as needed.
Hill brings extensive experience and enthusiasm to Essex—having spent four years on Northeastern University’s Varsity Women’s Crew team, three as team captain. At Northeastern, Hill competed in the NCAA Division 1 Championships in a Varsity Women’s 8+, earning MVP honors during her senior year along with a place on the Second Team All America.
Hill began rowing at Grimsby Secondary School in Ontario, where she earned medals from the Canadian Secondary Schools Rowing Association, US Scholastic Rowing Association and Stotesbury Cup Regattas. As a junior, Hill was selected for the CanAmMex Team to compete in Mexico City. She also rowed for St. Catharine’s Rowing Club, where she earned medals at the US Rowing Club National Championships as well as the Head of the Charles Regatta.
Stacie Hill earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology from Northeastern University. Return to Top >
Coaching Staff Development
As Essex Rowing moves through its fourth year of operation we will continue to develop our coaching staff extensively to meet the needs of our growing membership. Our organization was founded with the commitment to provide that membership with the highest quality of instruction possible, drawn from a core of professional coaches and supplemented with talented, up-and-coming part-timers and enthusiastic volunteers. Athletic participation requires enormous time commitments and our members can be confident that those responsible for their development are focused solely on that mission, and have the education and training to guide you to your goals safely, efficiently, and enjoyably. Return to Top >
^ Top | design by Dave Reeder, adapted by Travis Gardner | © Essex Rowing Club, Inc., 2006