Row West head coach breaks indoor-rowing world records

| Health | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to the team at Row West – the new indoor-rowing studio in The Junction – for letting us know about this achievement:

Row West head coach Susan Gehrke broke TWO world records (last) weekend, one that had stood since 2014, in qualifying rounds for the World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships!

General manager Nicole Pierson adds:

The 2026 World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships, presented by Concept2, began on February 21st with Heats in the 1 minute and 1000m events. Racing from their homes or clubs around the world, competitors were all connected virtually through Concept2 indoor rowing machines. Susan Gehrke, rowing in Lightweight category for Women 75-79, set new age category world records in both events (pending official confirmation from Concept 2:

-1 minute row 280 meters (previous world record 262 meters set in 2025)
-1000m row: 4:05.5 (previous world record 4:09.2 set in 2014)

Row West opened earlier this winter at 4740 44th SW.

Brett March 1, 2026 (6:04 pm)

Congrats to Coach Susan! Row West is awesome…great instructors and fun workouts!

Ninety March 1, 2026 (8:06 pm)

Susan is a rock star. Her dedication, tenacity, and natural leadership are an inspiration to so many, which in turn drives her competitive nature to be the best in her very humble way. She worked hard to beat her very own record and the community she built at Row House and now Row West drove her to exceed her own expectations. Susan built a huge community as a stellar coach at Row House. That community she built with the staff and members is why a new rowing club exists when Row House closed. Hats off to her coach, Patrick from MVP Movement & Performance.

sbre March 1, 2026 (10:04 pm)

Immmmmmmmmmmmm-pressive!!!

Teacher lady March 2, 2026 (6:34 am)

Coach Susan is an inspiration. She is a fountain of positivity.

Haleh Long March 2, 2026 (9:10 am)

Way to go to Susan and to the new Row West Club in West Seattle! Just restarted rowing again and it’s so good to be back at the new studio with same great coaches, cohesive community and great music while getting your cardio workout!

Andrea March 2, 2026 (10:31 am)

Yay Susan! You are such an inspiration and I love our Row House community.

Tammy Bare March 2, 2026 (11:23 am)

Congrats Susan! What an amazing achievement! Kudo’s to you and the full Row West Team. It’s wonderful to have a rowing studio back in WS.

JenS March 2, 2026 (2:00 pm)

So proud of you, Susan! You’re a true inspiration 💪 so grateful our WS rowing community has you guiding us in our fitness journeys, wherever we are on our path ❤️

add March 4, 2026 (9:17 am)

What a great achievement! So proud of Susan and LOVE the Row West crew. If you haven’t given indoor rowing a try, I encourage you to check it out. First class free :)