Heather Hall Friel

Heather began competitive rowing at the University of Pennsylvania as a walk-on freshman with Penn Women’s Crew. Heather remains an active PWC alumnae organizer with a deep love of the Schuylkill and PWC. Penn is also where Heather met her favorite training and life partner, fellow masters competitor Gerry Friel.

Racing with PWC, US National Championships, National Team Development Camp and US Olympic Sports Festival provided early competitive and team experiences that were life changing. While Heather hung up her oar for a while to raise three children in CT, it seemed inevitable she would eventually find masters rowing.

Being part of a community of athletic women that supports and inspires each other in rowing, parenting, health and all life’s challenges is truly motivating and life enriching beyond words. Racing and traveling the world with them is icing on the cake.