About Marlene - Roylerow Performance Training Programs

Marlene Royle
Registered Occupational Therapist (OTR)

Legendary masters rowing coach Marlene Royle began her career as an elite rower in 1977 at the historic West Side Rowing Club in Buffalo, New York, USA. Continuing at Boston University, Marlene won national titles in rowing and sculling as a collegiate and elite athlete including a US national university championship, a US national championship in the lightweight quad, and in 2000, world indoor rowing records in the 6000-meter and 30-minute categories.

In 1982, Marlene began her professional coaching career while still at Boston University, coaching the Boston University Summer Recreational Rowing Program, a community sweep program on the Charles River.

Beginning in 1986, she joined the coaching staff at Craftsbury Sculling Center in Vermont, including the role of associate director from 2004-2006.

Marlene directed the masters program at Aviron Knowlton Rowing in Quebec from 2018-2023. Currently she is on the coaching staff at the Vernon Rowing and Dragon Boat Club in British Columbia. Marlene also offers camps and lessons by arrangement.

In 1999, Marlene established Roylerow, the first online rowing coaching program. From 2017-2023 she extended her online services by cofounding Faster Masters Rowing, which includes cohosting the Faster Masters Rowing Radio podcast. Marlene co-authored the USRowing Masters Coaching Certification course which launched in 2023.

As a registered occupational therapist, Marlene has specialized in orthopaedics and upper extremity rehabilitation. Although retired from competitive racing, Marlene still trains every day, rowing, biking, running, or cross-country skiing.

Résumé

Athletic Career Highlights

U.S. National Rowing Team Trials (1985, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000)
Concept2 Indoor World Record for 30-minute and 6k rows, age 30-39, (2000)
US Olympic Training Center, Lightweight National Team Camp (1986, 1987)
Boston University Varsity Rowing Captain (1985)

Books

Skillful Rowing, Ed McNeeley, M. Sc., and Marlene Royle, OTR (2002). Meyer & Meyer Sport (UK) Ltd.
Tip of the Blade: Notes on Rowing, Marlene Royle, OTR (2008), BookSurge Publishing
Technical Drills for Sculling Performance, Marlene Royle (1997), now out of print, this short work is included in Tip of the Blade: Notes on Rowing

Magazines

Rowing News, monthly magazine columnist and website contributor

Conferences

USRowing Annual Convention, Presenter, “Training for Life” (2020)
USRowing Masters Virtual Summer Training Camp, Programmer, three-week training program for the camp (2020)
USRowing Advanced Coaches Conference, Presenter, “Coaching Masters: Adapting Technique as you Age,” (2017)
USRowing National Conference, Presenter, (2001)

1999, Marlene at stroke in the LW2x, Royal Canadian Henley

Podcasts and Webinars

Faster Masters Rowing Radio, host with Rebecca Caroe (2017-present)
Craftsbury Sculling Center Webinar, “Improving Movement and Technique As You Age” (2020)

Club and Camp Coaching

Craftsbury Outdoor Center, Vermont, USA
Aviron Knowlton Rowing, Quebec, Canada
Lemon Bay Crew Club, Florida, USA

Awards

USRowing Fan's Choice Awards - Masters Coach of the Year - Runner up (2013)
Beverly Jean Cook Award, Boston University Crew (1982)
Melissa Hale Spencer Award, West Side Rowing Team (1980)

Education and Certifications

Boston University- Sargent College of Allied Health Professions (1981-1985)
Certified Nordic Ski Instructor, Member Canadian Association of Nordic Ski Instructors (2010)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Expert by the Tudor Bompa Training System education committee (2002)
National Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (1994)
American Occupational Therapy Certification Board, Registered Occupational Therapist (1987)

2020, Marlene on Lac Brome, Quebec, Canada

2000, Marlene at USRowing Senior National Championships, LW1x

Medal List
Gold Medals

Head of the Connecticut, W2x, 5500m (1999)
Head of the Housatonic, W2x, 4500m, (1999)
Maine State Rowing Championships, W1x, 1000m, (1998)
Maine State Rowing Championships, W1x, 5000m (1998)
Kennebec River Flat Water Drag, W1x, 6500m, (1998)
Moosehead Lake Rowing Regatta, W1x, 6000m (1998)
Governor’s Cup of Florida, W1x, 1000m (1998)
Miami International Regatta, W1x, 1000m (1998)
Miami International Regatta, W4x, 1000m (1998)
Miami Beach Invitational Regatta, W1x, 1500m (1998)
US National Championships, LW4x, 2000m (1986)
New England Championships, LW4x, 2000m (1985)
US Collegiate National Championships, College Novice W8+, 1500m (1982)
Head of the Charles Regatta, Youth W8+, 5000m (1982)

Silver Medals

US Pan American Team Trials, LW2x, 2000m (1999)
Head of the Charles Regatta, Master’s 2x, 5000m (1998)
NH Rowing Championships, W1x, 5000m (1998)
Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, LW2x, 2000m (1986)
Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, LW8+, 2000m (1986)
Eastern Sprints Championships, College Novice W8+, 1500m (1982)

Bronze Medals

Royal Canadian Henley Regatta, LW2x, 2000m (1999)
NH Rowing Championships, W1x, 5000m (1999)
US Olympic Festival + Pan Am Trials, LW2x, 2000m (1987)
US Olympic Festival, LW2x, 2000m (1986)

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