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Coaches & Staff

Laura Riekki

Laura Riekki

Coaching emphasis: Novice/intermediate/advanced sweep rowing; technique, conditioning and competition training.

Certifications: USRowing Level III coaching, Red Cross first aid and CPR.

E-mail: lriekki@gmail.com

Background: Laura has spent the past five years coaching junior, collegiate and masters athletes. Although a competitively focused coach, she views real success as instilling a technical proficiency and love of the sport that rowers will carry with them for years to come.

Laura began rowing at Rollins College and rowed in the NCAA championships 2002 and 2003. After four years, she was voted Outstanding Senior.

After graduating, she coached the Bishop Moore high school girls for a year. The crew later finished fifth at scholastic nationals in 2004. The following year, she coached the University of Oregon club team, with finishes of third in the women's 4+ and second in the men's 4+ at WIRA and both fours placing third in the Pac-10 Conference's Pacific Coast Rowing Championships.

In 2005, Laura moved back to Orlando to pursue a career as an art teacher and served as head boys coach for the Orlando Area Rowing Society for two years.

Laura became ORC's full-time head coach and club administrator in February 2008.

 

Mike Vertullo - Summer Learn To Row Coach

Background: This will be Coach Vertullo’s 18th summer LTR, and his 10th here at ORC. Coach Vertullo has coached at the high school and master’s level throughout his career. Currently he is the Head/Varsity Girls coach at nationally recognized Winter Park HS as well as a Masters coach with ORC.

Coach Vertullo’s philosophy with teaching new oarsmen and women is to teach them proper technique from the beginning. Coach Vertullo understands that learning to row properly takes time and patience, as well that individuals’ learning curves are much different.

Coach Vertullo and his student/athlete volunteers from Winter Park HS can assure you an enjoyable four week program that will allow you the ability to continue this great sport in high school and/or at a local club.