Harry Parker. He was the Harvard varsity rowing coach for four decades. Oh, and he had a couple Olympic medals under his belt. Show-off.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin. The name might not ring a bell, but the founder of the modern incarnation of the Olympics was a rower.

Silken Laumann. An absolutely inspirational rower, Silken suffered a serious leg injury in May 1992 and still competed (and medaled) in the June 1992 Olympics. If that doesn't inspire you to tack another thirty minutes onto your gym routine this week, we don't know what will.

Katherine Grainger. Three-time Olympic silver medalist and Olympic Athlete of the Year in 2010, she could probably out-row you in her sleep. Just sayin'.