Oakland Strokes
The Oakland Strokes are a junior rowing club in Oakland, California. They are consistent finalists at the Southwest Junior Rowing Association championships. In 2005 and 2006, the Strokes Varsity Women won the Peabody Championship Cup at the Henley Women's Regatta in England, the most prestigious possible award. The Varsity Women squad also swept CJ's (California Juniors) in the 2009-2010 season, sending multiple boats to the nationals. In the 2010-2011 season, they are sending a boat the Head of the Charles, in Boston. The current coaches are: Jason Hilton, Dave Adams, Goran Todorovic, Derek Byrnes, Teresa Oja and Jessie Manfrin. In the 2011-12 season, though they came in second to Marin at Southwest Regional Championships, the girls Heavyweight 8+ got first at Nationals, held in Oakridge, Tennessee. The Lightweight 8 won Regionals by 12.4 seconds, and Nationals by 11.6.
The Varsity Men's squad in 2009-2010 season, qualified 2 boats for the nationals, thanks to the help of 2 new coaches to assist Ivan Smiljanic, these are Rich Wendling and Dameon Engblom. Ivan retired as a coach after the season ended, leaving the head coaching job to Dameon. In 2010-11, Dameon led the Heavyweight 8 to 3rd at Southwest, just 0.2 seconds behind Los Gatos. However, that eight was not brought to nationals; Dameon chose to bring the Varsity four and pair, who went on to get gold and silver, respectively. After this season, Rich Wendling left the Oakland Strokes and is currently coaching at St. Mary's College. As of 2012, Jason Hilton is the head coach of the varsity men's team.
The Program Director is UCLA alum Beth Anderson, also the coach of Women's Novice team.
