Rowing Heaven
April 2010
For an outdoor pursuit that combines heart-healthy exercise with a sense of zen-like tranquillity, rowing is hard to beat. Marie Hutchison and Harold Aune of Whitehall Rowing and Sail build sleek and sturdy boats that are fully recyclable - a green business we are proud to partner with!
"Our philosophy is that a boat should be a lifelong asset for personal and family pleasure, stand up to rigorous usage and be built to last generations," says Harold, who inherited his love of water sports from his boat-building father, and currently lives on a sailboat.
"It's very rewarding to be producing and selling something that's so entirely green as a rowboat," says Harold. "Our boats are one hundred percent recyclable and built sustainably to last a person's lifetime or longer. As our oar manufacturer says, this is as green as it gets."
Harold and Marie recently pioneered a new business model - the Whitehall Spirit Rowing Club. Joining the club allows members to have fun on the water in top-quality boats for less than the the price of a latte a day - without the hassle of moorage and maintenance.
Check out the amazing health benefits of rowing.
In terms of environmental benefits, all rowing is, of course, carbon-neutral. But not all boats are built equal. Some use toxic sealants, glues and varnishes that damage workers' health and end up polluting our waterways. Others are built so flimsily that they are easily damaged, requiring more materials and energy to repair.
Whitehall's products have been designed and built to minimize these impacts. Since joining forces in 1982 company owners Harold Aune and Marie Hutchinson have upheld their philosophy that a boat should be a lifelong asset for personal and family pleasure, be built to last generations and stand up to rigorous usage. Check out these love letters from owners.
“We both feel the world is now shifting toward a new connection with nature, life and real values, which we fondly refer to as the quiet revolution; the products our company offers are beneficial to this process. When we considered ways to give back to our community, one that struck a cord was linking with Sierra Club of BC and helping them fulfill their mandate, ” says Marie Hutchinson.
Whitehall Rowing & Sail will donate 1.5% of the value of goods purchased by a Sierra Club of BC supporter.
