<p>Inspired by a Ted Lasso–level belief in people over scoreboards, this episode dives into how Russell Topp built a powerhouse rowing program by putting kids first. Yes, the wins are historic—but the real story is the culture, community, and humans he’s helped shape along the way.</p>

Inspired by a Ted Lasso–level belief in people over scoreboards, this episode dives into how Russell Topp built a powerhouse rowing program by putting kids first. Yes, the wins are historic—but the real story is the culture, community, and humans he’s helped shape along the way.

Episode 7: Special Guest Russell Topp

In rowing, the term gather refers to a technique where the rowers pause slightly at the finish of the stroke. This micropause, as the boat is at its fastest point, allows for a brief, almost imperceptible moment where rowers sync up their strokes, gathering their bodies perfectly together as the boat moves underneath them and they prepare to move forward as one towards their next catch. 

Merriam-Webster defines “gather” as “to bring together.”  

For us, The Gather takes both concepts and combines them into one: a place where we gather as friends that, through rowing, have become family, where we can talk about the passion that brought us all together. 

Rowing has a way of doing that–gathering people into its fold from all walks of life. Kids putting their hands on an oar for the first time, octogenarians looking for a way to stay gently active, competitors who push through weather, pain and defeat for that one chance at perfection, rowers who just love that feel of the boat gliding across the water and the sound of the oars clicking as one, the parents and spectators who fall in love with the sport from the banks of the river watching the beauty and grace of the rowers flying over the water while the birds race them from above, coaches who see the things the rest of us don’t and inspire new generations of rowers to see beyond what was and to become something better…. and so much more. Rowing has a way of gathering people into its fold and holding us there - no matter where we are in life. 

This is a podcast for all of you! For those who hold a love for the sport like we do; for those who are searching for it, and for all of you in between!

Welcome to The Gather - an independent podcast about rowing and life.  Episodes will be shared bi-weekly.

Sports

Health & Fitness

Leisure

Hobbies

In rowing, the term gather refers to a technique where the rowers pause slightly at the finish of the stroke. This micropause, as the boat is at its fastest point, allows for a brief, almost imperceptible moment where rowers sync up their strokes, gathering their bodies perfectly together as the boat moves underneath them and they prepare to move forward as one towards their next catch. Merriam-Webster defines “gather” as “to bring together.” For us, The Gather takes both concepts and combines them into one: a place where we gather as friends that, through rowing, have become family, where we can talk about the passion that brought us all together. Rowing has a way of doing that–gathering people into its fold from all walks of life. Kids putting their hands on an oar for the first time, octogenarians looking for a way to stay gently active, competitors who push through weather, pain and defeat for that one chance at perfection, rowers who just love that feel of the boat gliding across the water and the sound of the oars clicking as one, the parents and spectators who fall in love with the sport from the banks of the river watching the beauty and grace of the rowers flying over the water while the birds race them from above, coaches who see the things the rest of us don’t and inspire new generations of rowers to see beyond what was and to become something better…. and so much more. Rowing has a way of gathering people into its fold and holding us there - no matter where we are in life. This is a podcast for all of you! For those who hold a love for the sport like we do; for those who are searching for it, and for all of you in between! Welcome to The Gather - an independent podcast about rowing and life. Episodes will be shared bi-weekly.

Share Episode 7: Special Guest Russell Topp

Sign up to save your podcasts

Episode 7: Special Guest Russell Topp

Episode 7: Special Guest Russell Topp