SHARK Bites

FEBRUARY 2025 | Building on a successful four-year collaboration, HUDSON, the SHARK brand known for innovation and performance in rowing, is proud to announce the extension of its sponsorship agreement with USRowing to support the Under-19 and Under-23 National Teams through 2028. This renewed partnership underscores HUDSON and USRowing’s joint commitment to foster the next generation of high-performance athletes in the United States.

Under the agreement, HUDSON will continue to supply state-of-the-art racing shells for USRowing’s Pathway’s Program, which includes selection and training camps across the country, and matching equipment abroad for use in international competitions.

USRowing identifies the nation’s top athletes and enhances their development as they progress through high school and college. Providing the nation’s top athletes with the equipment they need to excel is a USRowing priority for making the podium in LA2028. 

“The right equipment is essential for athlete performance. By providing the nation’s top junior rowers with HUDSON racing shells, we’re giving them the foundation they need to achieve their full potential,” said Josy Verdonkschot, USRowing’s Chief High Performance Officer.

“We’re thrilled to extend our support,” said Matt Muffelman, US Business Manager, HUDSON USA. “We’ve seen the incredible dedication and talent of these young athletes, and we’re proud to play a part in their journey. This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation of rowers through innovation, performance, and a shared passion for the sport.”

The sponsorship encompasses all camp boats, including the eights, coxed fours, fours, quadruple sculls, and doubles.

“Generation SHARK is stronger than ever,” Muffelman added. “We’re proud to move forward at full speed, powering the future of American rowing.”

For more information about USRowing’s Pathways Program, visit the Race for Team USA information for U19 and U23 athletes.

FEBRUARY 2025 | HUDSON, a longtime supporter of Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA), announces a continued partnership through 2028, supplying a fleet of Canadian-made racing shells for Canada’s Under-19 and Under-23 National Teams. HUDSON will supply a fleet of racing shells for RCA NextGen athletes. Designed and built in London, Ontario, these world-class boats are a testament to Canadian craftsmanship and innovation, reinforcing HUDSON’s commitment to equipping Canada’s best athletes with homegrown resources for success on the global stage. 

“The right equipment is a critical component of athlete development,” said Adam Parfitt, RCA High Performance Director. “HUDSON’s continued support ensures that our NextGen rowers have access to top-tier racing shells as they progress toward representing Canada on the world stage.”

“Supporting the Under-19 and Under-23 National Teams aligns perfectly with our mission to empower rowers to reach their full potential.” said Liam Parsons, HUDSON Canada Sales Manager and 2008 Olympic Games Bronze Medalist. “Together, we’re paving the way for future generations of Canadian athletes to achieve greatness.”

The SHARK brand that inspires innovation and performance proudly supports NextGen athletes.

For more information about Rowing Canada Aviron, visit rowingcanada.org.

Generation SHARK : HUDSON soutient les équipes nationales NextGen U19 et U23 de Rowing Canada Aviron jusqu’en 2028

FÉVRIER 2025 | HUDSON, un supporter de longue date de Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA), annonce la prolongation de son partenariat jusqu’en 2028, fournissant une flotte d’embarcations de course fabriquées au Canada pour les équipes nationales canadiennes des moins de 19 ans et des moins de 23 ans. HUDSON fournira ainsi une flotte d’embarcations de course pour les athlètes de prochaine génération (NextGen) de RCA. Conçues et fabriquées à London, en Ontario, ces embarcations de classe mondiale témoignent de l’innovation et du savoir-faire canadiens, solidifiant l’engagement de HUDSON à équiper les meilleurs athlètes du Canada avec des ressources locales pour connaître du succès sur la scène mondiale.

« Le bon équipement est une composante essentielle du développement des athlètes, affirme Adam Parfitt, directeur de la haute performance de RCA. L’appui continu de HUDSON garantit que nos rameurs de la prochaine génération profiteront d’un accès à des embarcations de course de premier plan alors qu’ils progressent en vue de représenter le Canada sur la scène internationale. »

« Le soutien des équipes nationales U19 et U23 est en parfaite harmonie avec notre mission visant à habiliter les rameurs pour qu’ils réalisent leur plein potentiel, indique Liam Parsons, gestionnaire des ventes de HUDSON Canada et médaillé olympique de bronze en 2008. Ensemble, nous pavons la voie pour les générations futures d’athlètes canadiens afin qu’ils et elles réalisent de grandes choses. »

La marque SHARK qui inspire l’innovation et la performance soutient fièrement les athlètes NextGen.

Pour de plus amples renseignements à propos de Rowing Canada Aviron, visitez rowingcanada.org.

JANUARY 2025 | The A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund (AMBTIF) presented HUDSON with an award of gratitude and appreciation of support at the 2024 Head Of The Charles® Regatta. The gathering brought together athletes, alumni, coaches, and supporters of AMBTIF programming, which breaks down barriers and increases access to rowing for diverse youth across the country. 

Starting in 2021, HUDSON and Concept2 teamed up to provide high-performance equipment to AMBTIF teams. This SHARK fleet of 17 boats will be gifted to AMBTIF (a value of $335,000) so that they can continue their mission in a next phase called “FIN Forward”, where teams will share these resources with the next generation. HUDSON is proud to expand the reach and impact of these boats and looks forward to continuing its support of AMBTIF.

Eight new programs will receive HUDSON equipment in 2025: Atlantic City High School, Dallas United Crew, DeMatha Catholic High School, Evanston High School, Hackensack High School, Newport Rowing Club, Riversport OKC, and Xavier University.

Dan Walsh, North East Sales Manager, accepted the award on behalf of HUDSON. “HUDSON is honored to be part of the AMBTIF movement and to see these programs serving historically neglected communities now have no barriers to world-class equipment,” he said. “To see how fast this movement is growing both on and off the water is nothing short of amazing. We are excited to be part of Arshay’s vision now and in the future.”

The crowd exemplified AMBTIF’s work: the diverse faces were a welcoming and inclusive group representing youth, DI, DII, and DIII collegiate rowers, masters, and coaches from all areas of the sport. AMBTIF has dramatically moved the needle, creating a pipeline of talent and leadership within rowing, and opening up access to the sport in an unprecedented way.

HUDSON’s partnership with AMBTIF serves to drive meaningful change within rowing by fostering inclusivity and opportunity. FIN Forward’s impact will extend beyond the water, inspiring the next generation to lead, compete, and grow. HUDSON is honored to power AMBTIF’s work behind the oar.

Canadian University Rowing Championships

OCTOBER 2024 | SHARK crews raced on Elk Lake (Victoria, BC) November 2-3 for the Canadian University Rowing Championships. Time trials on the first day of racing seeded teams for exciting side-by-side racing in the finals.

The University of British Columbia Thunderbird Men won their third straight Championship by picking up wins in the Men’s Pair, Men’s Single, and Men’s Eight. Congratulations to coach Mike Pierce for his honor as the Men’s Team Coach of the Year.

The University of Victoria Women also won their third straight Championship. Athlete Sai Sai Faubert, female Athlete of the Year, won the Women’s Lightweight Single. The Women’s Lightweight Four also picked up a win to help the team secure the overall trophy. Coach Jane Gumley was awarded Women’s Team Coach of the Year.

SHARK Team athlete, Stephen Harris, rowing for Brock University, won the Lightweight Men’s 1x and was a member of the Badgers third place Men’s Eight. Stephen was named Canadian University Male Rower of the Year for the third year in a row! Congratulations Stephen on an JAW-some university career finishing with 12 medals in 12 races at the Canadian University Championships. 

The Championship event rounded up a great fall season of University rowing in Canada with a shiver of Great White North SHARK crews represented in all events.