GSLR BOARD MEMBERS
Irene Lysenko - President
Irene grew up in Vernal, Utah but has spent the last two decades living around New York City in New York, New Jersey and, most recently, Connecticut. An avid runner, she began looking for a new sport when her knee began to give out. Some friends introduced her to rowing nine years ago, and she's never looked back. Irene has loved every moment of competition including The Head of Charles and US Rowing Nationals. She's also enjoyed coaching youth in the sport and loves to see the lightbulbs go on when people begin to understand and fall in love with rowing. Irene is glad to be back in Utah and be a part of growing this sport in this part of the country.
Brenda Allen - Vice President
Brenda Allen is a Utah native and has been a member of Great Salt Lake Rowing for 5 years. Her passion for the sport was born when she attend National Learn to Row Day. She is the mom to two smart and sassy girls. In her time off the water she likes to paddle-board, hike, golf and run half marathons. Brenda is the Vice President of Great Salt Lake Rowing organization and also the Assistant Coach for Waterford High School Crew Team.
Lorne Hofstetter - Secretary
Joann Cloud - Treasurer
Joann grew up in the Glacier Park area of Montana and loved team sports for social activities. After longtime involvement in a science career, off-work activities diminished and athletic teams faded out of the picture entirely. After realizing that adult life definitely had become unhealthy, Joann learned to row through the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s wellness program. Rowing has been a wonderful discovery of an activity that supplies full body fitness without stress to the body parts. Furthermore, concentration on rowing technique empties the mind of all worries and stress from work. The soothing, outdoor, and social aspects complimented the exercise enough for her to get hooked and join the Great Salt Lake Rowing Club.
Nicole Kawakami - Membership
Nicole Kawakami grew up in Utah county. Please don't judge too harshly. She loves to travel; mostly for the food! She teaches 2nd grade in the Herriman area, which allows her to feed this addiction when off-track. She also enjoys gardening, snowboarding, watching soccer matches and Netflix (does that qualify as a hobby?). She first became interested in rowing while watching scullers outside her flat in Nottingham, England. She finally started rowing after learning that it used every muscle in your body... What?! Who doesn't love that kind of exercise! She loves being out on the water--the challenge as well as the tranquility. She is proud to be able to be a part of the world's saltiest rowers! One word description: quirky. Look it up; it is not necessarily a bad thing ...
Meghan Saunders - Communications
Meghan grew up in Southern Alberta, Canada which doesn't give one much opportunity to row. After attending a National Learn to Row Day, she became hooked and hasn't looked back. Rowing just seems to fit and provides a great combination of exercise, community and challenge. When not on the lake, Meghan can be found working on a variety of projects, watching soccer, traveling or designing.
Nicole Cavallaro - Huntsman Liason
Rowing has been a significant part of Nicole's life since 1992 when she was tapped on the shoulder by the crew coach while moving into the dormitory at Rutgers University. Since then it's been a powerful and consistent source of connection, beauty, serenity and service. Nicole was the MVP for her junior and senior year at Rutgers and lead the team as Captain her senior year. She and her boat mates took a bronze medal at the Head of the Charles Regatta in 1994 in the Women's Championship Four division. After graduating from Rutgers, Nicole moved to Boston to pursue a professional career but found her way back on the water competing but mostly focusing on coaching. She coached her high school team (Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Cambridge, MA) to two back to back National Championships(Girls' Fours). Nicole continued to row recreationally while living in Barrington, Rhode Island at the historic Narragansett Boat Club where she fell in love with sculling. After a short stint of coaching and rowing in Boston again (Riverside Boat Club and Community Rowing, Inc.), Nicole headed for Salt Lake City, Utah where she thought rowing was in her past. Ten years ago she was asked to start a rowing program for the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Nicole's greatest joy as a coach is engaging people in a sport that creates well-being, mindfulness and fitness. Rowing is a perfect sport to support those goals. When she isn't at the Great Salt Lake, you will find her playing legos, building forts and playing in the kitchen with her family.
Contact Us
1.203.644.2981
Equipment Breakage/Repair Needs
Members: If you are aware of equipment repair needs, please record it in the log book AND contact Irene Lysenko at irene.m.lysenko@gmail.com
Private Lesson Coaches
Irene Lysenko - irene.m.lysenko@gmail.com
Marina Contacts
Harbor Master: gslharbormaster@hughes.net or bobrosell@utah.gov
Marina Phone: 801.209.9142
Website Maintenance
Meghan Saunders - meghan.saunders@gmail.com
Brian Knight - bugbig@hotmail.com
