Brent Peterson
"My time spent at the Pines Resort was the single most influential experience of my time rowing. No other experience allowed me to be able to focus completely on what really makes a single move through the water. After this experience I realized what I was striving to achieve in the stroke and the developed boat feel allowed me to begin feeling what I was doing correctly and incorrectly. Going home after I was equipped with the ability to improve by understanding my interaction with the boat. It took me many years to understand all the improvements that were made." (2001)
Tyler Guth
"Jamie Whalen is a sculling Guru, and this is his mountaintop. He's internalized perfect sculling technique, and is great at helping others realize it for themselves. My sculling turned the corner over a long weekend down here; over the following season I bagged two medals at nationals and a spot at Yale. I'm thrilled to see this great opportunity finally being properly publicized." (2004)
Caroline Howell
“Caroline’s week on the Banana River was a wonderful and rejuvenating experience. It was great to row in a beautiful environment, sharing the water with athletes from around the world. She came home more confident and with renewed enthusiasm about her rowing.” -- Dave Howell, Caroline's father
Elizabeth Sharis
(Elizabeth with Cicely Madden, HOCR Youth 2x Champs 2012)
"The camp venue offered a great place to row, but also gave me a unique opportunity to observe a wide variety of wildlife, including pelicans, herons, and dolphins. The water at the camp was also excellent - the sheltered 4 mile canal had nice flat water.
The atmosphere at the camp was neat because several national teams had their kayakers and canoeists practicing there because of the nice weather and water. It was interesting to observe their experienced techniques in their high-tech, very narrow boats.
The coaching I received was very helpful (with lots of drills), and having a boat-mounted camera added to the experience. Seeing the video after each row was a good opportunity to analyze my technique.
The equipment I used was in great condition. The blue Van Dusen boat I used rowed nicely and Jamie made sure it was rigged correctly for me. The Croker oars I rowed with were great too- it was nice to be able to use oars I was familiar with." (2011)
"After a nearly career-ending injury and a tough winter of rehab, sculling with Jamie at the Pines was just what I needed to aspire to be an elite athlete again. There were miles of flat water, top notch equipment (plus the knowledge to dial it in to my stroke - not everyone is 6'2" with monkey arms!), and extensive use of video feedback. Jamie really cares about crafting oars(wo)men and explains both how and why to do something a certain way. Even better, he is also open to trying something completely different to see if it works for you. We ate most meals together which gave time for great conversation about rowing, goal planning, and life.
It doesn't get better than two morning rows alongside baby dolphins followed by shaved ice and a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Most invigorating vacation ever!" (2011)
Amanda Kendrick
"After a nearly career-ending injury and a tough winter of rehab, sculling with Jamie at the Pines was just what I needed to aspire to be an elite athlete again. There were miles of flat water, top notch equipment (plus the knowledge to dial it in to my stroke - not everyone is 6'2" with monkey arms!), and extensive use of video feedback. Jamie really cares about crafting oars(wo)men and explains both how and why to do something a certain way. Even better, he is also open to trying something completely different to see if it works for you. We ate most meals together which gave time for great conversation about rowing, goal planning, and life.
It doesn't get better than two morning rows alongside baby dolphins followed by shaved ice and a swim in the Atlantic Ocean. Most invigorating vacation ever!" (2011)
Jill McGill, Callie Heiderscheit and Elizabeth Sharis
"As opposed to simply rowing, sculling with dolphins included different experiences I probably would never have had otherwise. Over the course of the camp, I was taught to kayak by a professional coach, taken on a trip to the beach, enjoyed Cuban food for the first time, and even rowed within feet of a dolphin. The scenery of the camp was a benefit as well and included pelicans, palm trees, and Olympic hopefuls. However, what I enjoyed more was the advancement I saw in my rowing. After attending sculling with dolphins, I have a whole new confidence in single sculling, and an improved ability to match.
It takes a unique coach to create such a camp as sculling with dolphins. From his serene demeanor on and off the water, to his knowledge regarding what seems to be anything you encounter, being coached by Jamie was my favorite part of sculling with dolphins." (Callie Heiderscheit, 2012)
