• Home
  • About
  • Youth Rowing
  • Masters Rowing
  • News
  • Schedule
  • Donations
  • Contact
  • Photo Album
  Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association
  • Home
  • About
  • Youth Rowing
  • Masters Rowing
  • News
  • Schedule
  • Donations
  • Contact
  • Photo Album
Picture
Picture
Picture

Our Story

OPRA was founded in 2007 by John Halberg. John's vision was to support youth on the Olympic Peninsula by presenting rowing and the skills associated with rowing to youth, allowing them to build lifelong values and skills.  
Our Mission is to serve and develop a diverse community of technically skilled rowers of all ages and capabilities in a coached setting that is safe, fun, and nurtures the teamwork, motivation, perseverance, responsibility and stewardship of resources needed to be successful on the water and in life.
Our current Vision supports and expands upon Johns' original vision:
OPRA provides our community an inclusive organization with excellent facilities, coaching and equipment that provides sustainable, adaptive, recreational and competitive rowing in a northwest marine environment.

Our Coaching Staff

Picture

Deborah Swinford

Head Coach
Coach Debby is a former Syracuse University and Vesper Boat Club rower, with 20+ years of coaching experience.  Debby became the Head Coach of the Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association in 2015.  The OPRA Junior program, and OPRA membership, have grown in size and reputation under Coach Debby’s leadership.  Her OPRA athletes have medaled at Northwest Regionals and qualified for Youth National Championships.  Coach Debby is the Head Coach of the Junior and Masters programs.  Coach Debby provides a supportive coaching environment and expects her athletes to work hard and take the steps to perform well at races.

Picture

Calum Swinford

​ Novice Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach
Coach Cal started coaching in 2012 at Saint Andrew Rowing Club, in Atlanta, and joined the Olympic Peninsula Rowing Association as a coach in 2015. During his time at OPRA, Cal’s athletes have medaled at Northwest Regionals on multiple occasions. Calum is an AmeriCorps Coach with Up2Us Sports. His coaching responsibilities at OPRA are Head Novice Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach. He also overseas some organizational aspects of the Recreational Program.

Cal’s practices are expected to be challenging, yet fun, and sometimes ice cream is included.
 

Sam Helmick-Schwarzmiller

Recreational Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach
Bio is coming soon

Meet Our Board of Directors

​Scott Kennedy
President


Sean Halberg
Picture
​Sean Halberg learned to row at age 6 on Lake Crescent, taught by his father, OPRA founder John Halberg.  He competed for the University of Washington, took 20 years off, and is now active again in the Masters circuit, competing in the World Rowing Masters Championship in 2017 and the USRowing Masters National Championship in 2018, as well as several regattas throughout the northwest.

Tim Saskowski


Treasurer


James Heckman

Meghan Ventura

Janet Nicolaus
Secretary


Gina McGovern

Judy Willman
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
  • Youth Rowing
  • Masters Rowing
  • News
  • Schedule
  • Donations
  • Contact
  • Photo Album