HERMITS ROWING CAMP
Boys Entering Grades 7, 8 and 9
DATES
This year, we will host one session that is over a 2-week period. The camp will run 3 days per week.
Starting on Tuesday, July 21st, Wednesday, July 22nd, and Thursday, July 24th. Then pick back up again on Tuesday, July 28th, Wednesday, July 29th, and Thursday, July 30th.
All camp days run from 9 am to 12 noon. No need for lunch — campers will be provided water and light snacks.
Cost
$330 - 6 Camp Days Over Two Weeks (7/21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30)
Each camper will also receive a Hermits Rowing T-Shirt!
The sport of rowing is a new experience for most high school students. A more comprehensive camp experience is required. Many kids have never been in a rowing shell before they enter high school. Our goal is not only to teach them the fundamentals and introduction to the sport, but also to introduce them to the team dynamic of rowing. We want them to feel like they have joined our crew by the end of the summer camp. With the goal of hopefully encouraging new students to St. Augustine and new rowers for the program.
GOALS
1. To teach the basics of the rowing stroke and understanding how the boat moves in the water.
2. To give new rowers a sense of purpose and goal-oriented fulfillment.
THE DAILY SCHEDULE
Campers will arrive at Lake Lenape by 9 am. The session would be divided into two groups: ON WATER and OFF WATER.
The ON WATER group would have one coach per boat. Each coach will be experienced in driving a launch boat and be aware of all safety requirements. Life jackets and radios will be mandatory in all coaches. The ON WATER coach will be responsible for the safety and instruction of their assigned boat. A set drill workout plan will be given to all coaches prior to launch. On water time will be around 1 hour.
The OFF WATER group will be split into 9-man boats for training. Each boat will have one land coach. The land coach will be used to run workouts and erg sessions. The workouts will consist of calisthenics and rowing technique on the erg. Each workout will be designed to give a sense of accomplishment and build team trust.
OUR STAFF
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Brian Duffey
Brian Duffey, a Holy Spirit High School (’95) and Jacksonville University (’99) graduate, has built a remarkable career as both a rower and coach. A four-year varsity oarsman at Holy Spirit and three-year varsity oarsman at Jacksonville, Duffey earned numerous accolades, including two State Championships and a bronze at Nationals in high school, as well as two SIRA golds, a silver, and a bronze at the Dad Vails in college. A Margate City Firefighter/EMT for 25 years and a Lieutenant on the Longport Beach Patrol for 21 years, he also competed in lifeguard competitions. Duffey began coaching in 2000, leading Holy Spirit’s Boys Freshman 8 to NJ State, Philadelphia City, Stotesbury Cup, and National Championships. He later coached at St. Augustine Prep, where his boats won multiple championships, including the school’s first Stotesbury and SRAA National Lightweight 8 titles in 2006. Returning to Holy Spirit in 2007, he became Head Coach in 2009, achieving continued success before stepping away in 2012 to focus on family. Duffey returned to St. Augustine Prep in 2024, coaching the Varsity 8 and then leading the Freshman/Novice 8 to significant victories in 2025, including NJ State and Philadelphia City Championships. An active member of the Viking Rowing Club, Duffey has grown its Masters program to over 70 competitors, earning gold medals at prestigious regattas like the Head of the Schuylkill and Kings Head. This summer, he looks forward to inspiring the next generation of rowers at Lake Lenape.
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Conor Borak
Coach Borak returns to St. Augustine Prep where he learned to row in the spring of 2004. Eventually becoming a member of the 2007 Lightweight 8+, he has medalled at Cities, States, Stotesbury, and SRAA Nationals, with one USRowing Youth National Championship appearance, where the crew came in fifth, under the guidance of Coach Brian Duffey. Borak went on to row first at Franklin & Marshall College, then at Oklahoma City University. As a coach, coach Borak began at Absegami High School, where he guided the 2009 Freshman 8+ to a 5th place finish at SRAA Nationals. Then, after successful coaching stints at Egg Harbor Twp High School and at the Oklahoma City Juniors team, Borak pursued a civilian career at Paycom Software, where he started a corporate rowing team while also serving a contract in the Marine Corps Reserve as an 0352 Anti-Tank Missile Gunner. Returning to coaching in 2019, Borak helped build the men's team at Franklin & Marshall rebuild and return to Dad Vails (with one grand finals appearance) in the years following the pandemic shutdowns. Coach Borak is excited to be back in Richland's Proud and Peaceful Glen, and enjoys cycling, fishing, and rowing his single: 'Warhead.'
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Nicholas Ferra
Nicholas Ferra is currently a Medical ICU and Oncology ICU nurse at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
During his rowing career Nicholas rowed for St. Augustine Prep for four years, beginning in the freshman/novice lightweight 8+ his freshman year, and the junior varsity 8+ and varsity 4+ his sophomore year. During his junior year (2006) and senior year (2007) Nicholas was bowseat of the Varsity Lightweight 8+ that would win the 2006 Stotesbury Cup Regatta and the 2006 SRAA National Championship Regatta, and in 2007 would take 3rd at the 2007 Stotesbury Cup Regatta and 2nd at the 2006 SRAA National Championship Regatta.
In college Nicholas would row bowseat for LaSalle University's Varsity 8+ for the 2008 season. From 2009-2011 Nicholas rowed stroke seat for Franklin and Marshall College underneath the coaching of national team coaches Claus Wolter and Robert Weber. In addition to rowing Nicholas also raced for the Franklin and Marshall cycling team aiding in qualifying his teammates at Franklin and Marshall for the USA Cycling Collegiate National Championships.
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Larry Connell
Coach Connell is a retired college rowing coach, having coached at Rutgers University, LaSalle University, and the University of Pennsylvania. Coach Connell was also the head coach of Holy Spirit High School boys crew, where in 1977 he led the Varsity 8 to a Stotesbury Cup and National Championship. Coach Connell has coached at some of the highest levels of rowing. From Ivy League Eastern Sprint Champions to Olympic Rowers. Coach Connell brings years of experience and knowledge to our program.
Coach Connell has been an assistant to St. Augustine’s Head Coach Ray D’Amico for the past five seasons.