At ORU, our coaching philosophy revolves around cultivating the full potential of every rower, emphasizing technical competence and intelligence, fostering a love for the sport in our youngest participants, and a commitment to sportsmanship and performance excellence.
Our Coaches
Plamen Petrov
Youth Team Varsity Men’s and Women’s coach
A native Bulgarian, Plamen has been involved in rowing most of his life. He has a Masters degree in Sculling, Sweeping, and Physical Fitness Teaching. As a Bulgarian National Team member, Plamen won several Bulgarian national titles in sculling and sweep rowing. For over thirty years he has been teaching and coaching, using his broad knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, and performance as a foundation. At ORU-PDX, Plamen's goal is to develop champions. Under his guidance, his athletes have excelled at regional regattas and ranked in the top ten at USRowing Junior Nationals. His vast knowledge and experience, combined with his compassion for his athletes and fierce passion for the sport, makes him a favorite of our rowers.
Email: plamen@oregonrowing.org
Nadia Petrov
Youth Team Novice Men’s and Women’s Coach
Also hailing from Bulgaria, Nadia has been rowing since she was twelve years old. She graduated from the National Academy of Sport in Sofia with a Masters degree in Sculling and Sweeping, Sports Management, and Physical Fitness Teaching. Nadia was a member of the Bulgarian National Team and earned numerous medals in Bulgarian Championships and international regattas. Like her husband, Plamen, she has more than 30 years of coaching and teaching experience. Her encouraging nature and patient personality complements her keen knowledge of rowing and natural ability to teach others the sport; she is known for bringing out the best in her rowers.
Email: nadia@oregonrowing.org
Our Mission
Oregon Rowing Unlimited – PDX (ORU-PDX) is a non-profit rowing organization, located in Portland, on the Willamette River. ORU-PDX was formed in 2015 to support, promote, and expand the sport of rowing in the state of Oregon.
Philosophy
Rowing is a lifelong sport that takes years to master and we believe that the principles associated with rowing, such as teamwork, discipline, responsibility, target-setting, and commitment, lead to success both on and off the water. We strive to nurture these values early in young athletes, giving them the tools to meet the challenges of everyday life in years to come.
Program Goals
Our coaches at ORU-PDX aim to train every rower to reach their full potential, regardless of their initial level of skill and fitness. Similar to philosophies of Youth European Rowing Clubs, we believe in the importance of producing technically competent and technically intelligent rowers. Our youngest rowers are introduced to the sport of rowing in a fun, safe, enjoyable, and challenging environment. Our training sessions focus on technical repetitions mainly on smaller boats.
Our club dedicates notable energy and resources to the Junior Race Team, and its participants are expected to display high level of sportsmanship towards fellow rowers both inside and outside of the club, whether in victory or in defeat. Rowers will be pushed to higher level of performance by focusing on endurance, strength training, proper technique, tactics, and race preparation.
History
Oregon Rowing Unlimited was formed in 1988, and reorganized as ORU-PDX in 2015, to spread the joy of rowing to youth and adults in Oregon. For nearly 30 years it has contributed to the growing popularity of rowing by being the source of origin and inspiration for almost every rowing club in the greater Portland area. Our success could not be possible without the generous support of Oaks Park.
ORU-PDX Board Members
Plamen Petrov, President and Head Coach
Nadia Petrova, Vice President, Assistant Coach and Juniors Representative
Frank Zagunis, Director
Boris Dimitrov, Director
Victor Atanasov, Director
Gabriela Vladimirova, Treasurer
Christopher Redmond, Secretary