About
History
The Farmington Valley Rowing Association Inc. (FVRA) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) member and volunteer supported organization that provides a comprehensive community-rowing program designed for a diverse population. FVRA’s Board of Directors (BOD) is responsible for the overall management of program offerings, club finances, and daily operations.
A member of the USRowing, FVRA was founded in 1982, in part, by parents of children who were on the Simsbury High School crew team. FVRA was formally incorporated in 1989 to promote the sport of rowing in the Farmington Valley area through recreational, competitive, and educational programs. FVRA rows on the Farmington River in Windsor, CT.
FVRA is proud to offer a sport for both experienced rowers and those new to the sport. The club provides learn-to-row opportunities as well as sculling and sweep programs for novice, intermediate, and recreational rowers.
Officers and Board Members
2025 – 2026
Katie Ouellette, PresidentRyan McMahon, Secretary
Todd Cooperman, Treasurer
René Twarkins, Board Member
Simon DeSantis, Board Member
Diane Perry, Board Member
Coaches
Katie Ouellette
Sweep & Sculling
Katie has been rowing for over 20 years starting as a novice at Farmington High School where, as a senior, she was a girls team captain. She went on to row at Mount Holyoke College and was a 2 time recipient of the Holly Metcalf Team Award, awarded to a team member dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in rowing. She was also named a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete in 2007.
Katie continues to row competitively as part of the FVRA racing team. She won a silver medal in the 2016 Masters Nationals in the Mixed A 2x event. She is a certified USRowing Level 2 Coach. Her primary coaching focus is in sculling but she also works extensively with the FVRA sweep programs. She has also coached at Craftsbury Sculling Center in Craftsbury, VT. Katie believes in the “holistic” approach to coaching – taking into account both mental and physical aspects of the sport. Outside of FVRA she is a graphic and web designer who loves gardening, creating art and hanging out with her dog.
Ryan McMahon
Sculling
Ryan started rowing with FVRA in 2012 as a sweep rower with the Men’s Sweep Racing Team. Since then he has switched his focus to sculling – competing in singles and doubles. He most recently won Gold in the Men’s Lightweight B 2x event at 2019 Master’s Nations in Grand Rapids, MI. He also won a silver medal in the Mixed A 2x event in the 2016 Masters Nationals in Worcester, MA.
He has an extensive background in adventure education having worked with climbers, bikers and boaters all over the country. He is currently an elementary school Special Education Teacher. Ryan works with all levels of scullers and can be scheduled for private sculling lessons.
Directions
From I-91 North or South:
Get off at Exit 40 (Rt. 20/Bradley Airport) onto the airport connector (Rt. 20). Take the third Exit (Hamilton Road). Turn Left at the end of the ramp. Turn right at the first stop sign onto Rainbow Road. Go one mile to Merriman Road. Turn left onto Merriman Road. Please drive slowly on Merriman Road. Go one mile to the end where you will see a gravel parking lot to the right of the entrance gate.
Please Note:
- YOU MUST PARK OUTSIDE THE CAMP GATE
- DO NOT ENTER CAMP UNLESS YOU ARE AN FVRA MEMBER – IT IS A PRIVATE PROPERTY
- Please email us at info@fvra.org if you plan to cartop a boat down to the water
- Please email us at info@fvra.org to schedule a visit if you are interested in joining.