Veteran rower Sally Keller, 75, of Eugene, is set to represent the Oregon Association of Rowers masters team at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston this weekend (Oct. 16‑18). The three‑mile race on the Charles River draws competitors from around the globe, and Keller’s crew—dubbed the “old ladies eight”—will be among the oldest participants, with an average age over 70.
From Wellesley to Dexter Lake
Keller first discovered rowing in the early 1970s while attending Wellesley College, a women’s college near Boston. A recreational class sparked a lifelong passion, leading her to help form a women’s team that later raced on the Charles River. A donated shell, named the “Spirit of ’73,” remains a point of pride for Keller, who still refers to it as her “claim to fame at that school.”
After college, Keller settled in Oregon and began rowing at Dexter Lake with the Oregon Association of Rowers (OAR) masters team. She now rows five days a week, training at 7 a.m. on the lake and supplementing her routine with indoor erg workouts via Zoom, guided by coaches in Iowa City and Tennessee.
Training and Teamwork
Keller typically rows in a double with longtime teammate Kathy Juhlin, 76. The pair share a yellow‑and‑green wooden boat named Ulu—an Inuit word for “knife.” Juhlin sets the rhythm from the stroke seat while Keller steers from the bow. Their partnership, which began in 2012, is built on mutual confidence and a shared love of the sport.
“I have complete confidence in us,” Juhlin said. “That’s probably the most relaxed I ever feel in a boat is when I’m rowing the double with her.” Juhlin also credits Keller with improving her technique and organizing the club’s regatta lineups, calling her “a real generous rower.”
Why She Keeps Paddling
For Keller, rowing is more than exercise; it is a source of vitality and calm. “Racing makes me feel so alive,” she explained, adding that the nervousness at the start line quickly fades once the race begins. She acknowledges that age brings challenges—longer warm‑ups, occasional shoulder aches, and a weaker performance on the erg—but she embraces them as part of the journey.
“As you get older, you’ve got to row better because you’re not as strong,” Keller said. “It just takes me longer to wake my body up.” Her family’s support, she notes, is rooted in understanding how essential rowing is to her mental well‑being.
Looking Ahead
Keller’s goal extends beyond the upcoming regatta. She points to a 90‑year‑old participant in her online erg class as inspiration, noting that the woman still rows each morning despite a broken leg. “Right now I’m still loving rowing, and I’m not ready to quit,” Keller affirmed.
Whether she and her crewmates secure a top finish or simply enjoy the experience, Keller’s story underscores the power of perseverance, community, and faith in one’s abilities—values that resonate deeply with Lane County’s tradition of strong families and individual liberty.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
