GBR Coaches
A commitment to Athleticism, Advancement, Improvement, and Inclusion
The coaching staff at Great Bay Rowing is a dedicated group of individuals committed to fostering growth, skill development, and a love for the sport among rowers of all ages and abilities. With a wealth of experience and expertise, they guide athletes through every aspect of rowing, from technique and fitness to race strategy and mental preparation. Their passion for the sport shines through in their coaching style, which emphasizes teamwork, discipline, and personal achievement. Whether coaching beginners in Learn to Row programs or fine-tuning the skills of experienced rowers, the Great Bay coaching staff creates a supportive and inclusive environment where every rower can thrive.
Our Coaching Staff
Hallie Cheyne
Director of Rowing
Hallie Cheyne’s journey into rowing commenced during her freshman year at Middlebury College in 2008, following a lengthy career as a field hockey player. Over four years with the Panthers, she competed in various prestigious events, including the New England Rowing Championships, ECAC Invitational, and the Dad Vail Regatta, showcasing her prowess in the eight, four, and pair categories. An active member of the Middlebury Rowing Alumni Association, Cheyne expanded her rowing horizons by participating abroad at the University of East Anglia in England and spending a summer at Oxford University.
Following graduation, Cheyne discovered her passion for coaching, considering it the highlight of her substitute teaching role, and made a career transition to coaching full-time. Before joining Great Bay Rowing, she honed her coaching skills with juniors, collegiate, and masters athletes at various clubs and institutions, including Greater Lawrence Rowing, Tufts University, Essex Rowing Club, Methuen Crew, Hingham Maritime Center, and Style Driven Rowing Club. Cheyne’s coaching prowess has led her crews to podium finishes at notable regattas such as USRowing Northeast Youth Regionals, MPSRA State Championships, Independence Day Regatta, Saratoga Invitational, and the Head of the Fish.
When not coaching, Cheyne enjoys indulging in her hobbies, which include reading, lifting weights, participating in road races, or seeking out the fluffiest dog to pet at regattas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and Theatre from Middlebury College (2012) and a Master of Arts in English from Middlebury’s Bread Loaf School of English (2016). Currently residing in Dover with her husband, Cheyne continues to enrich the rowing community with her expertise and passion for the sport.
Alison Smith
Coach
Alison first started rowing in 2012 at the University of New Hampshire where she rowed for four years. While at UNH, she served as captain of the women’s team for two years. During her senior year, she rowed in the Collegiate 4+ that placed 1st in the 51st Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston. Alison graduated with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders with minors in Education and Spanish from UNH. She then graduated from Appalachian State University with a Master of Arts in College Student Development with an emphasis in Outdoor Programs and Administration.
Fred Loucks
Coach
Fred began rowing over 44 years ago in his hometown of St. Catharines, Ontario, which is also home to the Canadian Henley. Throughout his rowing career, he has been a coxswain, a lightweight rower, and a three-time member of the Canadian National Rowing Team. Fred was recruited to row at the University of Pennsylvania, where he served as team captain. He has dedicated most of his life to rowing, coaching, and supporting the sport’s development.
Before joining GBR eight years ago, Fred was a member of the Vesper and Malta Rowing Clubs. He has coached high school rowing and ski teams, as well as college rowing teams, most recently at UNH. He has also served three years as a GBR Board Member. When not on the water, Fred can often be found replacing wooden trailer beds, building and installing oar racks, opening his Salmonfalls Woodworks shop to repair and repaint boats or oars, or constructing whimsical car bumper benches for the boathouse.
Fred contributes his time, skills, materials, and shop space because he wants to ensure youth rowers have a quality experience and every opportunity to develop as athletes. His goal is to help build a community of healthy, happy youth and adult rowers in the Seacoast area.
Jennie Marshall
Coach
Jennie, a former coach at UPenn, Harvard, and UNH, joined the GBR board three years ago as an empty nester eager to give back to the sport that has positively influenced her and her family. Her journey with rowing began in Durham in 1977 when she was introduced to the UPenn rowing coach by Jim Dreher. With a background in swimming, basketball, field hockey, and high jumping, Jennie took up rowing at Boathouse Row in Philly, launching a 40-year career in rowing and coaching at collegiate, national, and international levels. She has raced and trained across the US, Europe, and Korea.
Professionally, Jennie is the Director of Literacy in Salem Public Schools, where she manages federal projects and grants, supervises curriculum and assessment, serves as the homeless liaison, co-manages Salem’s End68 Hours of Hunger, and oversees K-12 ESOL, library, and reading intervention staff and programs. She has also served as the athlete representative on the Women’s Olympic Rowing Committee and as the inaugural president of the National Collegiate Coaches Association.
On the GBR board, Jennie leverages her extensive rowing and project management experience to run day-to-day operations efficiently and develop sustainable approaches for junior, masters, competitive, and recreational club members. Her favorite rowing experiences include cheering for her daughter’s crews, teaching her son to row, and racing in a mixed double with her husband. Jennie finds joy in witnessing athletes and their families discover the sport and its unique opportunities for growth.
Renate Raeder
Coach
Renate, a resident of Durham for almost 15 years, first learned to row as a child in Germany, and re-discovered the sport with GBR in 2006.
She’s an active member of the masters group, sweeping and sculling, and always ready to take a new masters rower out on the river or jump in a boat when an extra person is needed.
When she’s not rowing or volunteering, she can be found in a launch coaching novices or teaching new rowers at the GBR Learn-to-Row programs.
Renate is also a GBR Board member. She joined the board to ensure masters representation in the club deliberations and planning, and has been instrumental in balancing and integrating the needs of the junior programs with the needs of the masters. Her perspective is avidly inclusive; she advocates for juniors, masters, competitive and recreational rowing members of the club alike and facilitating our partnership with Berwick Academy rowing program.
Felicia Sperry
Coach
Adam is passionate about the unique community the Seacoast provides. He grew up in Durham, attending Oyster River and UNH. After graduating from UNH, he ran his own business in Dover before pursuing a graduate degree and teaching in Massachusetts. Wanting to raise his children in the Seacoast, he moved back to Durham 13 years ago.
Adam was introduced to rowing through his college roommate, a UNH coxswain, and later reintroduced through his son, who joined GBR in 2014. Although not a rower himself, Adam’s decision to serve on the board was inspired by spending rainy regattas grilling and chatting with Dave Shay, a great example of the GBR community spirit.
Adam brings a background in education, project and operations management, sales, and business development to GBR. With extensive experience coaching youth sports and organizing activities, he is eager to contribute to the board. Adam aims to increase youth and masters rowing participation, improve the facility, and expand GBR’s offerings for the Greater Seacoast community.
Natalie Grimm
Coach
Natalie Grimm began rowing with GBR as a masters rower in 2018 after graduating from the University of Maine. At UMaine, Natalie was a founding member and co-president of the UMaine Crew team. Previously, the school had only a small recreational rowing club. During her time there, the team grew into one of the most active sports clubs on campus, attending six regattas a year and winning the Sports Club of the Year award in her senior year. Natalie contributed as a rower, coach, and club officer, overseeing all aspects of the team. Under her leadership, the team’s fleet expanded from one 4+ rowing shell to five.
After graduating in 2018, Natalie moved to the seacoast area and continued rowing on the masters competitive team while also participating in logbook sculling. In the fall of 2021, she returned to coaching, working with the GBR junior team as an assistant coach. Natalie particularly enjoyed helping novice rowers develop their skills and fostering a love for the sport among all junior rowers.
Professionally, Natalie works as a marine canvas fabricator, creating custom boat canvas. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, crocheting, and chasing after her dog.
Garrett Robinson
Coach
Garrett Robinson, a dedicated coach at Great Bay Rowing, brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the team. With a background in rowing and coaching, Garrett is committed to helping athletes reach their full potential on and off the water. His coaching philosophy focuses on teamwork, technique, and a love for the sport. Garrett’s passion for rowing is infectious, inspiring athletes to push themselves to new heights. When he’s not on the water, Garrett enjoys spending time outdoors and sharing his love for rowing with others.
Laura Hafner
Coach
Laura Hafner is a valued coach at Great Bay Rowing, known for her expertise and dedication to the sport. With a background in rowing and coaching, Laura brings a wealth of experience to the team. She is passionate about helping athletes achieve their goals and develop their skills both on and off the water. Laura’s coaching style emphasizes technique, teamwork, and a positive learning environment. Outside of rowing, Laura enjoys staying active and sharing her love for the sport with others.
Explaining his decision to serve on the board, Dave says, “I decided to run for a seat on the BOD because I thought I might be able to contribute somehow. I’ve been around the water and boats my whole life, just not the long, skinny kind, so it seemed like a good fit and a fun opportunity to learn about a sport I knew very little about. I also saw the positive impact rowing and the GBR community had on my daughter and hoped that by serving on the BOD, I’d be able to pay that forward.”
Since 2009, Dave has been the Assistant Director for Marine Facilities and Operations at UNH. He is responsible for the marine research laboratories and all on-water activities for the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, ensuring the safe operation of a fleet of 14 boats, ranging from 12 to 50 feet in length. His duties include boat safety training for UNH students and volunteering with UNH Rowing, assisting with their launches.
Dave’s tireless contributions to the smooth and safe operations of the club are invaluable.
Join the Great Bay Rowing Community
Discover the joy of rowing and become part of our community.
