Welcome to our web site!

Would you like to learn to row?  Or are you thinking about buying your own boat?  In either case, you've come to the right place!

Alden's been a leader in the world of recreational rowing since 1971, when we introduced the first sliding seat ocean rowing shells to the world.  Today, we offer single and double flat and open water rowing shells and each one is a proven performer in its class.

Alden is proud to announce our new line of adaptive rowing products.

Our first adaptive rowing product is our FIxed Seat. Click here to learn more.

Alden is moving on May 1st.

Our new address is:

235 Summer Road; Building #4
Boxborough, MA  01719

978.263.9010

978.263.5940 fax

Keep in touch, we love to hear from rowers.

Friends of ours at Community Rowing Inc. in Brighton, Massachusetts sent us this link recently.  The video chronicles an inexperienced rower’s first time in a rowing shell on the Charles River in Boston.  First, you’ll see him on a Concept 2 rowing machine learning the stroke and then, he tackles the river under the watchful eye of Coach Will Congram.

If you’ve ever thought about rowing, you might find these few minutes inspirational.  It’s always easier learning to row in an Alden!

We’re so pleased to announce that Gary Piantedosi has joined us full-time as our ‘Resident Expert’ on recreational rowing and New Product Design.

Gary’s passion for rowing is longstanding.  He’s a well-known and charismatic figure in New England, and has been designing and manufacturing rowing gear for more than thirty years.  You’d think that would make him an old geezer, but non!  His spirit is youthful and his demeanor is boyish – but neither can mask his passion for rowing or the value of his experience, when it comes to designing new products.

His rowing career began at MIT where Gary was also trained as a mechanical engineer. His crews won silver medals at the 1973, '74, and '75 Eastern Sprints and IRAs. He was a spare for the US World Champion Eight in 1974, rowed the Straight Pair in the 1975 Pan Am Games and the Straight Four in the 1976 Olympics. Today Gary is an avid masters sweep rower and an open ocean racer who enjoys competing, wherever there are waves.

As an Olympian, Piantedosi brings proven experience in the competitive rowing world.  His coaching expertise in the adaptive area will help Alden with its ‘Learn to Row’ programs and as an MIT graduate, his engineering and technical prowess is top shelf.

In the two years since Alden came under the control of its new owner Archibald Cox, Jr., the company has had the financial resources to improve the quality and consistency of its recreational rowing shells.  Along the way, many new relationships have been forged with people and organizations throughout the rowing world.

 Piantedosi riggers have been an exclusive part of Alden’s rowing shells since December 2007.  ‘The quality of every Piantedosi part we’ve purchased from Gary has always been perfect.  However, demand for his products has been stronger than his ability to supply.  Recently, it became obvious that joining forces would help both companies,’ said Wendyll Behrend, Alden’s General Manager.

Gary shares that he’s ‘passionate about everything rowing.  I like training, I like racing, I like coaching.  I am especially enamored with adaptive athletes and designing gear to make the sport more accessible for para and quadraplegics.  I’m still an active Masters sprint racer and open ocean racer; a recent Masters National Champion and multiple Blackburn Challenge champion.’

Piantedosi rigs and parts will continue to be built in Boxborough, Massachusetts and Gary will oversee all local ‘Learn to Row’ events.

Alden Rowing Shells has been the leader in recreational and open water rowing shells, setting thousands of newcomers and experienced rowers alike out in safe, stable and enjoyable boats since 1971.  We hope you will contact us, should you be seriously interested in exploring the world of recreational rowing.

Alden is proud to introduce our latest open water sliding seat rowing boat, our 16’ Whitehall with Gullwing Folding Rigger System.  The wineglass stern and sharp bow entry guarantee that the boat will track well.  It is easily powered, light in the hands and rides high, straight and true on its narrow waterline.  Trimmed with Philippine mahogany, the gunwales are glued, screwed, capped and varnished.

Designed by Gary Piantedosi, the Gullwing outriggers fold in and nest below the gunwales.  It’s very simple to swing them into position and lock them into place, by rotating them until they hit the stop position and tightening the outboard knob to lock.  Energy is transmitted longitudinally along the gunwale rail, creating the most secure, powerful and quiet way to power the boat.

The hull is an iteration of a classic Boston 14’ Whitehall that is two feet longer with a lovely wineglass stern.  Originally designed to taxi passengers and cargo from moored boats to shore, this hull shape actually becomes more stable with heavier loads.

Our Whitehall can be rowed solo or with a non-rowing passenger.  Typically, you would row with the Gullwing rigger in the stern position and move it to a midships position, with a passenger sitting on the stern bulkhead.  We also cut down the freeboard for less windage and better geometry for rowing.  At 16’, the boat glides over the waves and although you’re close to the water, you’ll always stay dry.

Find out more about the Alden Whitehall click here.