The Mobjack Rowing Association just added another feather in its cap when a crew of rowing athletes and their support crew from Hydrow visited Williams Wharf, on the East River in Mathews. The maker of sophisticated rowing machines chose that spot to film training video segments for its indoor rowing clients all over the world. The rowing association is the nonprofit organization behind the award-winning Mathews High School Crew and a variety of community rowing programs.
“Laine Maher, Michelle Sosa, and I loved rowing the East River and its creeks,” said Hydrow athlete Nick Karwoski. “We filmed for three days, especially early and late in the days to get the best light, supported by a launch and a big skiff for the cameras. We even got some overhead footage with a drone, and one day, we took an ocean double out into Mobjack Bay, around New Point, and into the open Chesapeake. A highlight for us was learning about the rich maritime history and culture of the Mathews community. We were able to incorporate some of those stories into our commentary in the videos. This was live outdoor reality, with watermen crabbing in the background and recreational anglers heading out to the Bay.”
The connection from Hydrow to Mobjack was Matt Muffelman, a Mathews High School alumnus who has rowed on championship school, college, and national crews and today serves as Atlantic Sales Manager for Hudson Boatworks, builder of Hydrow’s high-tech shells. Muffelman connected Hydrow to Mobjack Rowing’s President, Tim Ulsaker, the founding coach of the Mathews High School Crew. Ulsaker arranged for the Hydrow crew of six to rent the historic Callis House Inn in Mathews for their stay and to help them work out ways to abide by Virginia’s COVID-19 directives in effect at the time. “We really enjoyed our time in Mathews,” concluded Karwoski, “and now we get to share the East River, Mobjack Bay, and the Chesapeake with everyone who rows on Hydrow’s machines.”
-John Page Williams
