Rowing, Coaching, and the Long Game: A Conversation with Aaron Vaccasio

Welcome back to the Rowing Friends Podcast. In this episode, we had the opportunity to chat with Aaron Vaccasio—someone who has lived just about every side of rowing: athlete, club founder, coach, educator, and lifelong student of the sport.

Aaron has been rowing since 1997, and even though his involvement looks different today than it did in his college years, rowing is still clearly a thread that runs through everything he does.

Aaron’s Rowing Story: 1997 to the Water Years

Aaron’s origin story is relatable: he wasn’t “the athletic kid,” but rowing gave him direction and something to commit to. He started in a summer program at the Niskayuna Boathouse and stayed with it through high school.

From there, he took rowing into college in a big way—founding the Curry College Crew Club when there wasn’t already a program, then later joining and captaining SUNY Oswego’s crew club. His time on the water stretched from 1997 through 2010, including experiences sweeping, sculling, and learning the culture of rowing from the inside out.

He’ll also be the first to tell you… he’s done a lot in rowing—but coxswain was not his calling.

From Coaching to Smooth Rowing

After moving to Colorado, Aaron shifted toward coaching and the fitness industry. Out of that transition came Smooth Rowing, a traveling indoor rowing seminar designed to help athletes and coaches sharpen how they think about the erg and the stroke.

One of the things I appreciate about Aaron is that he doesn’t frame rowing as “just cardio.” He talks about it like a craft—something intellectual, technical, and worth understanding. The erg, in his mind, is not just a machine. It’s a tool for learning how your body moves and how the stroke works.

Rowing Today: Education, Community, and Veterans

Aaron currently works with Rep Fitness in customer support, where—unsurprisingly—he spends his days talking fitness and helping people solve problems.

He also serves as a functional fitness group leader for Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB), a nonprofit that supports veterans and active military as they transition into civilian life through community, wellness, and connection. Aaron leads virtual fitness experiences that include rowing, hybrid training, and strength work—and he’s actively building a welcoming rowing community in that space.

Equipment, Home Gyms, and What’s Next

We also got into home gym life: what Aaron trains with, what he loves, and what he recommends.

When asked what rowing machine to get, Aaron’s answer was direct: Concept2—reliable, repairable, consistent, and built to last.

Looking forward, Aaron talked about goals that feel very “him”: fitness events, travel, more time outdoors, hiking, and continuing to stay curious. He trains hard, but he also values experiences. And I love that he described travel workouts as a kind of souvenir—something you take with you that isn’t just a photo.

Why This Conversation Matters

This episode is a reminder that rowing doesn’t have to look one way to stay meaningful. For Aaron, rowing has evolved—from competition to coaching to education and community building—but it still shapes how he thinks, trains, and connects with people.

We hope you enjoy our conversation with Aaron.