OUR COACHES

Improve technique and performance in both sculling and sweep rowing and build strength and endurance under the expertise of Coach Florin Curuea. 

As a rower, he has earned over 50 medals at the national and international level including:  Romanian National Championships – 21 Gold Medals, 2002-2003 – Gold Medal at World Championships, 2012 Olympic Games – 12th Place Finish and 2012-2013 – Silver Medal at European Championships.

As coach, his accomplishments include: 2016 - 5th Place World Championship U23 Men's 8+, 2015 - Gold Medal World Championship U23 Men's 4, 2014 – Bronze Medal at the World Championships Men's 4-, Gold Medal at the U.S. Regional Championships, Bronze Medals at the U.S. National Championship

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Coach Mihaela is a very decorated national and international rower. She began her rowing career in 1994 and was quickly selected to be a part of the Romanian National team in 1995. At the 1998 Junior World Championship‘s, Coach Mihaela and her team won the Silver medal in the Women’s 8+, and the Bronze medal in the Women’s 4-. She competed on the Romanian Under 23 National Rowing Team and won medals at national and international regattas.

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Andre embarked on his rowing journey in 2006 at the Steel City Rowing Club, where he was mentored by esteemed coaches Laci Tompa, Dori Tompa, and Florin Cureau. With an innate talent for the sport, Andre rapidly made strides in sculling alongside Matthew Madama, securing numerous accolades. His passion for rowing and desire for broader opportunities led him to co-found the junior rowing program at RowPittsburgh, which would later be known as Pittsburgh Rowing Club, alongside two junior rowers and a select group of dedicated Masters.

During his high school years under the guidance of Coach Florin, Andre demonstrated his progress on the water. His major accomplishments include his freshman year, he placed 14th out of over 200 singles in the Men's Club 1x at the Head of the Charles Regatta. In sophomore year, he placed 1st in Ltwt 2x at Midwest. Junior Year, he set the All-Time Boys JV Lightweight Erg score at NA Indoor Sprints and 1st in the Ltwt 2x at Midwest Champs, and 1st in Ltwt 2x at Club Nationals. In his Senior Year, took 1st in Ltwt 1x and 2nd in Ltwt 2x at Midwest Champs, 4th in Youth Nationals in Men’s Youth 1x, and 3rd in the Men’s Intermediate 4x at Club Nationals.

Andre's success did not go unnoticed. Jacksonville University extended him a full scholarship in both rowing and academics. During his tenure there, Andre rowed the V1 as a freshman and was a vital part of the Freshman Four, which clinched both 1st and 2nd at the Southeast Regional Regatta. This streak of success garnered an invitation for selection with the US National Team for sculling. However, during this time, he faced personal challenges with his father suffering from an aortic aneurysm. Nevertheless, in 2012, Andre and the Pittsburgh Rowing Club secured a Top 10 finish in the Men's Champion's Double at the prestigious Head of the Charles.

After college, Andre ventured to New York, Atlanta, and Palm Beach, exploring career opportunities. He returned to Pittsburgh, joining his beloved Pittsburgh Rowing Club once more, but this time, as a coach. As a certified US Rowing Level 2 Coach, Andre has been imparting his expertise and passion to the Pittsburgh Rowing Club Juniors, Masters, and Novices programs. Additionally, he took up assisting coaching for the Upper Saint Clair High School Juniors in the Fall of 2022.

Today, Andre's commitment to the sport and his dedication to nurturing the next generation of rowers continue to inspire and shape the future of rowing in Pittsburgh.

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