Our Coaches

Driven by a Passion for Excellence

Capital Crew offers a talented and experienced coaching staff. All coaches have an extensive background in rowing and/or conditioning. They are all trained boating safety instructors with several certifications including CPR, First-Aid, Lifeguarding, and USRowing Level II Coaching. Our staff is driven by a passion for excellence, education and competition.

Capital Crew coaching staff value communication with athletes and families. Please remember these tips when contacting the coaching staff:

  • Each coach will let their squad know the best form of communication (in person, via email, telephone, etc.).
  • Let the coach know if you will be missing practice or event (see Attendance & Practice)
  • If an injury or illness will affect an athlete’s attendance or performance, the coach should be among the first to know.
  • Allow the coaching staff to coach during practice, races and other team events. Make an arrangement with the coach to speak after the event or at a later, mutually convenient time.
  • Athletes should speak directly and courteously with the coach if they are having difficulties in training or competition. Assuming responsibility for one’s own actions is an important part of maturing into an adult that will benefit the athlete.
  • If you need to contact a coach regarding clarification of matters such as training schedules, nutrition and health, and college recruiting, do so via the contact method designated and at a time that is mutually convenient, anticipating a timely response.
DeDe Birch

DeDe Birch

Rowing Program Manager

Rich Wendling

Rich Wendling

Girls Head Coach

Katie Haverluk

Katie Haverluk

Boys Head Coach

Brian Birch

Brian Birch

Girls Assistant Coach

Patricia Pinkerton

Patricia Pinkerton

Assistant Coach

Nathan Keel and Michael Brandt

Nathan Keel and Michael Brandt

Part-time Assistant Coaches

Capital Crew Boosters

Capital Crew Boosters

387

Capital Crew is the Elite Junior Rowing Program at the Sacramento State Aquatic Center.

It is almost time for CHAMPS! Read on for many tips to make the weekend go smoothly. This is a USRowing-governed event so to help get familiar, you will find their official event packet below. The link to the Tentative Schedule grid is on page 5 of the packet. While much of the information provided is for team registration and managers, there is helpful information to understand what the weekend will be like and about the race progression. Watch for more Capital Crew-specific info in our Booster newsletter and from your coaches in the next day or two but to help now, here are some quick details and tips:⏰Friday will be “Head Race” style time trials for all events, including all Youth National Championship qualification events, starting at 8:00 a.m. That means boats start at individual times and race against the clock.🚣🏾Semifinals for Youth National Championship Qualification events will begin on Friday afternoon and continue all day Saturday. These are classic head-to-head racing.🏅Grand Finals for events will be run on Sunday. These are classic head-to-head racing.🚫There will be NO parking at the Aquatic Center or in the State Park. 🏃Drop-off is allowed using the park entrance, follow the volunteers' directions through the traffic loop in the Park-n-Ride area. Athletes can then walk over the weir into the AC. Spectators can walk into park. Golf cart assistance is available to help shuttle into the park. 🚗Public parking lots are $10 per day. The lot for Friday is off Folsom Blvd/MineShaft Lane; Sat/Sunday, it is at the end of Tributary Way (Gas station/McDonalds street) in the Gold Point office complex. A shuttle will be running on the weekend.💰Entrance into the park/event is $10 per day for everyone except athletes.💻RegattaCentral is the official registrar and holds entries, lineups, schedules, and results for the weekend.📺The event will be live-streamed on USRowing YouTube Channel🏡Capital Crew boathouse and AC peninsula are for athletes only. Please think of this as their locker room. 🇺🇸In the park, the finish line roundhouse tent is for USRowing officials only.💚Parents, families, fans, and alums are all welcome in the park beachside at the CC tent (the first one on the team row) near the finish line. 🎂Light refreshments will be available for our CC families at the tent (feel free to bring your favorite snack or dessert to share potluck-style)🛍️Souviner and rowing merchandise vendors will be on-site🍽️Food trucks will also be available☘️Remember to WEAR GREEN and bring your loudest cheering voice - plus a hat, sunscreen, chair, binoculars, and a bell! GO CAPITAL 💚💛Read more ⬇️s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/sidearm.nextgen.sites/usarowing.sidearmsports.com/documents/2024/4/19/... ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Contact 💬

Capital Crew Boosters Club
PO Box 2031
Fair Oaks, CA 95628

[email protected]

The Boathouse 🚣

Sacramento State Aquatic Center
1901 Hazel Ave
Gold River, CA 95670

Our Mission 🤲

The Capital Crew Boosters Club supports our athletes and coaches, promoting excellence in a competitive rowing program that emphasizes the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and respect in a way that extends beyond the boundaries of our club.

Ways to Support 

The Capital Crew Boosters, a 501(c) nonprofit organization, has earned the Candid-Guidestart Gold Seal of Transparency so our benefactors can confidently support our work with trust and confidence.