The goal of program is to allow each athlete to develop her potential. We value:
• Competitive experience
• Fitness and strength
• Rowing skills
• Self-esteem
• Teamwork
Our coaches endeavor to train every rower to reach her full potential, regardless of her initial level of skill and/or fitness. Rowing builds strength and fitness which in turn leads to a more positive rowing experience for all. All rowers are encouraged (but not required) to participate at the competitive level.
Participants
Inexperienced rowers are asked to complete a Learn To Row class prior to their participation with the team. Interested? Please fill out this form.
ZLAC also welcomes experienced rowers in the Open Age Group (18 – 21 yrs.) and in the Masters Categories (21+) as guest rowers. Contact us to enquire about a free “try it” week. Join in our coached practices, meet our rowers, and see what ZLAC is all about!
The coaches will individually assess new experienced rowers and will take into account prior experience, including on-the-water observations. Coxswains are welcome to begin working with ZLAC at any time, at no cost.
Our hope is to encourage women athletes to continue rowing beyond college by offering them excellent coaching and a team experience.
All rowers must fill out the ZLAC Waiver before being allowed on the water.
Competition
Rowers are identified for participation in regattas based on interest and skills. Some competitions will include a variety of line-ups composed of all interested rowers, while others, identified as select regattas, will be comprised of the most strategic line-up.
Interested rowers should indicate the regattas in which they would like to participate. Prior to signing up for a regatta, rowers should consider the following:
Commitment to attend practices (often including extra works-outs)
Availability (work/vacation schedules)
Positive attitude and flexibility (any boat, any seat, anytime!)
Boat line-ups are generally determined 2 to 6 weeks prior to the event and practice together. Rowers not participating in the competition continue to come to practice for a regular coached workout.
Fees
Masters Program (Competitive and Performance Squads):
Non-members:
Under 27: $290 quarterly/$105 monthly
27 and older: $455 quarterly/$175 monthly
Members (does not include club dues):
Under 27: $160 quarterly/$60 monthly.
27 and older: $275 quarterly/$110 monthly.
Dedicated coxswains are exempt from rowing fees.
New Learn-to-Row graduates may attend weekday practices for $70 per month (under 27) or $117 per month (27 and older).
Fitness Squad (coached non-competitive):
Non-members: $300 quarterly/$115 monthly.
Members: $150 quarterly/$65 monthly (does not include club dues).
Private Lessons:
Private lessons are limited, and can be arranged with our coaching staff. Contact us for more information on pricing and scheduling.
Quarterly fees are paid in Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct.
Schedule
Masters Program (coached competitive):
Master’s Coached Rowing Schedules vary a bit - during Fall and Winter, we practice Tuesday-Friday mornings 4:50am-6:50am and Saturday mornings 8:30am-11am (subject to change). Each day focuses on different levels. The current schedule and descriptions can be found on iCrew.
Wednesdays and Fridays are technical practices that are open to everyone including our novices (this is how our novices transition into the coached rowing program).
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are practices geared towards our intermediate and advanced rowers. Novices will be invited to these practices at the discretion of the coaching staff.
Independent and group erging is available every day!
We are always looking to offer convenient and safe ways to train together. Reach out to learn about strength training group classes, small group sculling clinics, coached erging, and more!
Fitness Squad (coached non-competitive):
Practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:15 a.m., and with the Coached Masters on Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. A coach accompanies the boats to lead the workout and guide technique. The Fitness Squad aims to get exercise and improve skills without working towards competitive goals. Rowers must be able to scull and have intermediate rowing skills. Members may drop-in on Saturday practices by using our iCrew platform to submit their name, and paying per session ($20).
Chris Shannon, Masters Head Coach
A member of ZLAC since 2003, Chris first started rowing at the Mission Bay Rowing Association and has always been a club rower. Shortly after learning to scull, Chris was invited to sweep row with SD Police Crew, USD women varsity, and then MBRA Competitive Women’s team. She raced for over 25 years, winning gold medals at Women’s Masters and FISA nationals in all rowing disciplines.
Chris has taught rowing for MBAC and SDRC, coached at MBRA, and with UC San Diego Women’s Crew. She has run many local regattas, served on SDCC and MBRA Boards, and has been a USRA Referee for more than ten years. In 2014, after retiring from finance, she started to coach at ZLAC.
As ZLAC Masters Head Coach, she has led the team to multiple first-place wins, notably at US Rowing’s Masters National Championships, the San Diego Crew Classic, Canadian Nationals, and more. She is very excited to be working with a great club and wonderful women.
Michael Darby, Masters Assistant Coach
Mike began rowing during his freshman year of high school for Brophy College Prep in Phoenix, Arizona. He continued rowing at the University of San Diego as a walk-on freshman and then rowed the next two years in a varsity 8+.
He began coaching in 2022 as an assistant coach for Xavier Prep Crew, a junior women’s scholastic team, and has assisted with many learn-to-row events for juniors and masters.
Michelle Nielsen, Masters Coach
Michelle began coaching at ZLAC in 2018. She began her coaching career at Grand Valley State University, and continued on at Rocky Mountain Rowing Club in Colorado and Capital Rowing Club in Washington, D.C.
During her time at Grand Valley, Michelle honed her leadership skills serving as the Club President and Treasurer, while both competitively rowing and coxing for the program. She was part of the first ever Midwest Championship for Grand Valley. She has rowed competitively for a Wyandotte Boat Club, Rocky Mountain Rowing Club, Capital Rowing Club, and Beat Cancer Boat Club, earning multiple National Championships, Canadian Henley golds and Head of the Charles medals along the way.
Upon moving to San Diego, Michelle joined ZLAC first as a Rower and then a Coach. In her short tenure, she was fortunate to represent ZLAC at the San Diego Crew Classic and earned back to back wins in the Women’s Masters B Eight. Along with the other members of ZLAC’s coaching team, she has helped ZLAC Masters team learn the art of rowing, competing, and winning lots of hardware.
Tracy Eisser, Masters Assistant Coach
A New Jersey native, Tracy began rowing as a freshman walk-on at Cornell University. After graduating from college, she began training with the US National Team in Princeton, NJ, ultimately becoming a two-time Olympian, two-time World Champions, and multi-time Worlds medalist. She moved to San Diego in 2022 to train out of ZLAC and became a member the following year. Tracy has coached at the junior, collegiate, and masters level and enjoys empowering athletes no matter where they are in their rowing career.
Kerry Simmonds, OLY, DPT, Masters Coach
Kerry grew up in San Diego and began her rowing career during her freshman fall at the University of Washington as a walk-on athlete. Four years later, Kerry was named varsity team captain as a senior, and graduated with a degree in Biology-Physiology. After graduation, Kerry rowed with Team USA for five years. During her rowing career, she won multiple gold and silver medals in international competitions, culminating with a 2016 Olympic Gold Medal in the Women’s Eight in Rio de Janeiro.
Following the 2016 Olympic Games, Kerry returned to San Diego and joined the ZLAC community as an honorary member and ZLAC’s Junior Head Coach. In the fall of 2017, Kerry went on to coach collegiate women's rowing at Oregon State University for two seasons. Kerry returned to San Diego to earn her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at San Diego State University and now works full-time as a physical therapist, supporting ZLAC Masters as a Coach.
Michael Shannon, High Performance Coach
Mike specializes in working with innovative coaches and motivated athletes to reach the next level. Using current Best Practices and technology, Mike uses the lessons learned from working with coaches and athletes at the Olympic Training Center to improve the performance of athletes at any level. He started working with U.S. National Team coaches in 1989 and joined the U.S. Olympic Committee as a sports performance consultant in 1994. He worked with elite athletes from a wide variety of sports, specializing in endurance sports, from both summer and winter sports training for National and World competitions, including the Olympic Games and Pan American Games. Mike served as a member of the Olympic Team Staff for numerous Olympic Games to help support Team USA and retired from the USOC after 20 years of service. Before working with the Olympic Committee, he served as Head Men’s Rowing Coach for the University of California, San Diego from 1985-93. Prior to joining UCSD, Mike worked for the Naval Health Research Center as a research physiologist from 1991-94. Currently, Mike continues to provide athlete performance services and coach education to National Team Programs in variety of sports. He provides consulting services with college/club rowing programs interested in sustained competitive performance. Mike works with US Rowing Coach Education for Level 2 and Level 3 coaches, combining coaching experience and sport science background. He also serves in the faculty of Drexel University, teaching graduate courses in training and biomechanics for the Sport Coaching Leadership program in the Department of Education.
FAQ/Forms
+ I'm a male, can I row at ZLAC?
Sorry, we are a women's rowing club! However, we have one open water double that is available for men to use with a ZLAC member.
+ It’s raining, do you still go out and row?
Yes — we row in the rain! Learn To Row classes meet as scheduled, rain or shine. If severe lightning, fog, wind, or storms are present, rowers will not be permitted on the water. Instead the class or practice is moved into the boathouse where we can get a workout on the ergs or using weights.
+ I’m coming to row at ZLAC, what should I wear?
We recommend you dress in layers. San Diego can be cold in the early morning or after the sun sets. Dress appropriately for the weather, including a windbreaker if necessary. It's easiest if you are able to shed layers quickly as you begin to warm up. Your rowing clothes will likely get dirty and wet. Your outfit should be comfortable and snug. It should allow you to move freely but should not be baggy. Be sure to bring socks with you to wear once the boats are launched.
+ Where should I park?
ZLAC has a small parking lot that is for rowers and club members only. If your car is left in the lot past practice times and is not recognized by the resident manager (or there are no ZLAC stickers present on your car), you may be towed. When the lot fills up, there is always free street parking within the surrounding blocks. Please do not park in the lot if there is a black and yellow checkered flag at the entrance to the lot (this means there is an event at the clubhouse).
+ Can I rent your clubhouse for my wedding/party/memorial/event?
Yes! ZLAC is located on Sail Bay on the north shore of Mission Bay in beautiful San Diego. Our clubhouse offers a unique setting for your next event. The clubhouse, built in 1932, is a traditional Craftsman style designed by Lilian Rice with a unique redwood interior, historic rowing decor, and a scenic view of Mission Bay. More info here.
