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.