Jamie Koven – 2011 CRASH B’s Champion (30-39 Heavyweight Division)

February 28, 2011

Jamie Koven,

1994 World Champion (8+)

1997 World Champion (1X)

2011 CRASH B’s Champion (30-39 Heavyweight Division)

By Yasemin Watkins for Coach Kaehler

With a competitive rowing career that spans nearly a decade in the 90’s and a recent resurgence in the last three years, Jamie Koven proves that age is no barrier when armed with natural talent, a hard work ethic and a Body-Balanced training program.

A Brown graduate, Koven raced with Bob (Coach) Kaehler in the mid-90’s.  Together, they won the 1994 World Championships in the men’s 8+.  Later in 1997, Koven won his second World Championship title in the men’s single sculls event.  He retired from competitive rowing in 2000 due to a painful back condition.  In the fall of 2008, after joining a Brown Reunion Boat for the Royal Henley, Koven consulted Coach Kaehler for a Body Balance evaluation and a personalized conditioning program.

Though Koven’s training situation was typical of most masters rowers — balancing training with work, travel and a young family — his early, consistent and exceptional progress proved more typical of elite rowers.  Within 6 months of starting Coach Kaehler’s program, Koven had achieved results he “hadn’t seen since 2000.”

Less than a year later at the Royal Henley, Koven and his Brown Reunion crew finished just short of the finals, then joined the US Rowing boat in the championship 8+ event.  The same year, Koven won his division in both the NYC Triathlon and Malibu Olympic Distance Triathlon.

The real eye-opener though was Koven’s inspiring third-place finish, with partner Dan Walsh, in the men’s pair event at the NSR2 held in May 2009 in Mercer, NJ.  At 35 years of age, Koven proved that he could once again train, race and win against athletes ten years younger.

Clearly an exceptional athlete by many standards, his progress and mounting string of successes are all the more impressive considering he manages, (through responsive medical treatments not available in 2000) the same back condition that lead to his initial retirement eleven years ago.

Koven comments on training with Coach (Bob) Kaehler:

“I’ve known Bob since 1993 and first raced with him in 1994 when we won the world championships in the Men’s 8+.

When Bob first evaluated me, he found significant deficiencies in my core strength and a complete lack of flexibility.  By building up my core strength, and increasing my flexibility, I have been able to reduce the strain on my back and ribs.

Bob’s approach (to training) was different (from others) because the focus was on efficiency.  What was the most efficient way to get me back into shape while also allowing me to focus on my career and family? The workouts had very specific targets.  They were not always maximum effort, but they were targeted. Bob helped me to focus on nutrition, recovery and stretching, which were things that I had mistakenly taken for granted when I was younger.

In the first year of training, I wanted to build slowly so that it was not disruptive to my work and family.  In the second year, I had a base to build on and needed to step it up a bit and Bob helped me do so in a way that was still efficient.

I enjoy working with Bob.  I raced with him for 3 years in the mid-nineties so I know him quite well.  He is patient, hard-working and confident in his approach.  He is also willing to adapt his program to my specific needs.  He is always available by email or phone for follow-up questions.  He typically responds within a day.

Since I am now training full-time with the US national team, I am sticking to their program, but there are a lot of similarities as Bob has drawn from his experience as a US team member, and has also influenced the team’s training by working with many of the athletes as a coach.”

Asked if he would recommend Coach Kaehler’s programs to others, Koven responds, “absolutely.”

Coach Kaehler and his team congratulate Koven on his recent win at the CRASH B’s, and wish him continuing success as his come-back story continues to unfold.

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