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.
Diane Horrocks - Vice President
Diane joined GSLR in 2012 after falling in love again with coaching rowing after ten years of coaching her daughter’s soccer team. She started with Royal Chester Rowing Club in England at 17 and rowed through college at the University of Birmingham. She met her husband whilst sharing a sculling boat with Birmingham City Rowing Club. That’s also where she accomplished her greatest achievement in winning the Gold Medal at the British National Championships. She briefly rowed in Huntsville Alabama for the Rocket City Rowing Club before moving to Utah... Who thought there’d be rowing in this desert?!
Nicole Kawakami - Secretary
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 ...
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.
Matt Kemp - Membership
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.
Alejandro Mendoza - Equipment
Alejandro is originally from Miami, Florida where he learned to row at a young age.He’s been rowing competitively since 1995 for various programs including Miami Rowing Club, Brown University, Los Angels Rowing Club, & San Diego Rowing Club. Alejandro moved to Utah in 2014 and has been a member of GSLR since 2016.
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
