Liz Trond – Head Coach
Liz Trond began rowing in 1989 as a highly competitive collegiate rower (and actually still trains and races on the master’s level, winning the Head of the Charles in the 8+ and Master’s Nationals in the 2x in recent years) and then moved into coaching in 1995 working with the crew teams at Sacramento State University, Orange Coast College, Fairfield University, and Norwalk River Rowing Association.
In 2005, Coach Trond joined Norwalk, CT based Maritime Rowing Club and founded the team’s competitive girls sweep team. In 4 years, her crews won the Head of the Charles, San Diego Crew Classic, and medaled numerous time at USRowing Youth Nationals.
In 2010, Liz then founded her own club, Connecticut Boat Club, where CBC boats then went on to win hundreds of races including 10 National Championships.
Coach Trond’s experience working closely with USRowing’s Junior National Team, which began in 2002, is equally impressive. Serving as Head Coach for the United States Junior Women’s Development Team in 2004 and 2005, Liz coached the CanAmMex teams, and in 2005 won the first ever USA Points Trophy. Those teams included Ari Frost, Elle Logan, Lindsey Meyer, Sara Hendershot, Helen Thompkins and Ashley Kroll who have since competed for USRowing on a U-23 and National Team levels. In 2007 Liz created the USRowing’s High Performance Team and set the framework for the training trip to Berlin. Liz served as assistant coach for the US Junior National Team from 2006-2010 coaching the 2- to a 6th place finish twice, the 4- to 8th & 6th place finishes, and the 8 to a silver medal. In 2011 Trond became the US Junior Women’s Head Coach where she brought with her passion for coaching, a competitive spirit, the knowledge of the complete junior team system, and experience of international level training and racing.
Cass Bruins – Assistant Coach & Boatman
Cass’ rowing career began in 2015 when she walked on to Grand Valley State University’s Rowing Team in Grand Rapids, MI. Over the course of her collegiate career, she competed in a multitude of events, including two ACRA National Championships, the Henley Women’s Regatta in 2016, and the Henley Royal Regatta in 2018, showcasing her skills and unwavering dedication to the sport in just three short years.
Following her graduation, Coach Bruins returned to her roots in Colorado and began coaching for Mile High Rowing Club in Denver from 2018 to 2021. During her tenure, Cass’ crews achieved remarkable success, earning appearances in USRowing Nationals in the Men’s 2-, and 4x, as well as the Women’s 2-, 4+, and LWT 8+.
Cass is a skilled craftsperson with a wealth of expertise in boat (and car) repair. Her exceptional talents drew the attention of Vespoli USA, where she worked in the repair department from 2021 to 2022, honing her skills and expanding her knowledge of the craft. Eager to share her passion for health and fitness, Cass ventured into entrepreneurship and launched her own health and fitness coaching business in 2022, stepping away from Vespoli to do so.
Coach Cass joined the CBC coaching staff in the Fall of 2022, eager to get back into coaching after a year away, and hoping to bring her valuable experience and insights to the team. Season after season, Cass continues to cultivate her coaching abilities and deepen her passion for the sport, constantly striving to improve and inspire those around her.
Jim Sweitzer – Novice Team Coach
Jim began his rowing career both as a Masters rower and coach in 2000 at Norwalk based Maritime Rowing Club. He was a founding member in 2000 of both New Canaan High School Crew, Inc and Maritime Rowing Club. Jim coached various levels of both boys and girls at New Canaan High School crew from 2000- 2008 and St Lukes School crew in 2007-2008. In 2009 he coached at Greenwich Crew and in the spring of 2010 joined Coach Trond at Connecticut Boat Club in its inaugural season.
As a Masters rower, Jim won a Gold medal at the 2006 World Masters Championship and continues to compete in a variety of races including the Head of the Charles and Head of the Schuylkill. He resides in New Canaan with his wife Diana and has 4 children and 3 grandchildren.
Sarah Bower – Development Team Coach
Sarah leads the Development Program at CBC, coaching pre-novice girls from middle school to high school not only on rowing basics, but the importance of fitness, nutrition and fun! She has been coaching at CBC since 2018 and is Level 2 certified.
A veteran marathoner, Coach Bower is also a Masters rower and has competed in the Head of the Housatonic and Head of the Riverfront.
Sarah’s daughters Haley and Katie both competed for CBC. Katie was a member of the bronze-medal winning eight at the 2016 US Rowing Youth Nationals. Haley moved on to row for Boston College while Katie competed at Cornell University. Sarah’s son Tyler rowed at Maritime Rowing Club, but is now a senior linebacker for Bucknell’s football team. She lives in Fairfield with her orthopedically challenged husband.