Jen Huffman gave her son a guilt trip about learning to row. “You would make your great grandpa so happy!” And when your great grandpa is Joe Rantz, 7 seat in the University of Washington crew that took gold at the 1936 Olympics, you learn to row. Jen also took up the challenge and learned to row as an adult, quickly becoming an accomplished masters rower in the Seattle area.

Growing up, Jen didn’t know much about her Grandpa Joe’s rowing history. But late in his life, she found his memorabilia from the crew’s trip to the Berlin Olympics. Jen tells us how a scrapbook she made became the jumping off point for author Daniel James Brown’s now blockbuster book The Boys in the Boat.

Ten years after the book was published, it’s become a George Clooney-directed movie. We talk with Jen about the power of rowing and seeing her grandpa brought to life on the big screen.

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QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Intro

01:49 - Team huddle: Jen’s rowing bio 

02:13 - Jen’s rowing week rated a 6, and included a “sushi race” in Lake Union in Seattle, WA

05:33 - Hot Seat Q&A

08:34 - Getting to know grandpa Joe

13:18 - Jenn guilt-tripped her son into learning to row, then learned to row herself in 2008

18:24 - Coaching gymnastics, coaching rowing, and taking off your coach’s hat when you’re rowing

25:56 - Jen’s 2023 rowing season

28:45 - The story of The Boys in the Boat book began with a family scrapbook 

34:42 - Being a part of Daniel James Brown’s writing process, and learning about Grandpa Joe chapter by chapter

39:55 - MOHAI exhibit, Joe’s “Amerika” flag, and some Husky Challenger history

43:28 - North Cascades Crew Joe Rantz Boathouse on Lake Stevens

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To see photos of Jen, Joe, and 1936 UW memorabilia, and to get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, Concept2, EB5 Investors, RowSource, and our Patrons.