HomeCoaches Bios

Our Coaches

At Port Rowing, we combine many years of coaching experience under one program. All coaches work together to help our athletes to develop into rowers, as well as build an appreciation for the sport, become young leaders and develop a strong work ethic. Rowing is one of America's oldest sports, and it began here in New York. We work to continue that great history and help each child develop his/her own legacy.

Isa Rahman

Women's Varsity Head Coach
email: isa@portrowing.org

Accordion Widget

Bio

Isa Rahman – Women’s Varsity Head Coach

Isa joined us from Saratoga Rowing Association, where he was coaching for 5 years. While at SRA he coached boats to numerous New York State Championships in both rowing and sculling. In addition to success at the state level, he has coached boats to finals and medals at Canadian Henley, Canadian Schoolboys, Scholastic Nationals, National Schools, and Stotesbury Cup. He has also coached and assisted at USRowing Jr. B sculling Camps.

Since joining the Port, Isa has coached multiple crews to USRowing Youth Nationals, including a 2nd place finish in the Women’s pair in 2019. Isa has also had 2 Crash-B Hammer winners under his watch.

Prior to coaching in Saratoga Isa has coached juniors and middle school level athletes in rowing and has coached wrestling at the Moses Brown School in Providence RI. As a 4 year letterman on the Brown University crew team, Isa learned under head coach Paul Cooke, freshman coach Luke McGee, and Joel Scrogin. He was introduced to the sport of rowing at Tabor Academy.

Mike MacMinn

Men's Varsity Head Coach
email: mikem@portrowing.org

Accordion Widget

Bio

Mike joins Port Rowing after spending the past two years in Austin, Texas, working at the Texas Rowing Center and as Volunteer Assistant Coach at The University of Texas at Austin. As Novice Head Coach and Manager at TRC, Mike coached novice girls (2017-2018) and boys (2018-2019) to Regional Championship wins, and managed TRC's extensive SUP/kayak rental operations. With the University of Texas women's team, Mike assisted with both the walk-on and varsity programs, and was part of the coaching staff for the 2018 NCAA third place team finish and 2019 NCAA runner-up team finish. Prior to moving to Austin in 2017, he spent eight years as the Head Coach and Program Director at the Albany Rowing Center in upstate NY. While at ARC, Mike more than doubled the size of the youth program and led the team to numerous NY State Championship wins, Canadian Henley gold medals, and top-10 placements at the USRowing Youth National Championship. Before coaching, Mike rowed at Cornell University for two years, and for four years at Niskayuna High School. Outside of rowing, he enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with friends & family.

Emilie Johnston

Middle School & Adult Head Coach
email: emilie@portrowing.org

E Johnston headshot (2)

Accordion Widget

Bio

Emilie joins Port Rowing after spending the last year as a coach and manager at the Texas Rowing Center in Austin, Texas. While at TRC, she coached boats to success on the state and regional level. Prior to Texas, Emilie spent a year at Community Rowing Inc, as a fellow in the Institute for Rowing Leadership. During her time in Boston, she also served as the Volunteer Assistant Coach for the Harvard-Radcliffe Women’s team where she assisted in coaching both walk on and varsity athletes. As a student at the University of Wisconsin, Emilie was a four-year member of the Badger women’s openweight team. In her free time, Emilie enjoys hiking, skiing and all things outdoors.

Holly Byrne

Inclusion Team Coach
email - holly@portrowing.org

Accordion Widget

Bio

Holly joined the Port Rowing family first as a parent of the inaugural team and later as Executive Director. Her role at Port Rowing is a perfect blending of her background in non-profit management, fitness, and as a naturalist. While not a rower yet, Holly has extensive experience in the fitness industry as teacher, trainer, and manager holding several industry certifications. Holly currently works with local non-profit groups as stewards of parks in Port Washington. Holly is passionate about promoting the abilities of the inclusion rowing team and witnessing the progress and joy the participants experience in the program.

Anne Ross

Assistant Coach - Middle School

Accordion Widget

Bio

Anne Ross has been part of port rowing since its existence. Her oldest son started crew with the program and is now a senior at Columbia still part of the rowing team. Her daughter was part of the program for 6 years. Remaining is her tenth grade and an 8th grade sons. Anne became part of the port rowing masters team 7 years ago. She competed in a 4 and won silver at the Head of the Schuylkill. As years went by her interest and participation in rowing are still strong. Her years of learning and teaching martial arts have helped her to improve her rowing technique, focus and endurance. She is happy to pass on her knowledge to the middle school.

Mitch Tamkin

Assistant Coach & President

Accordion Widget

Bio

Mitch is a two-time High School National Champion while rowing at the Kent School in Connecticut, and a two-time member of the US Junior Team. He was a Silver Medalist in the 1976 World Junior Championships in Austria in the Coxed Four. Mitch continued his rowing career at the University of Pennsylvania where his Freshman Eight coached by Stan Bergman won the National Collegiate Championship. He rowed for the Varsity Crew that won two National Championships (Ten Eyck Trophy’s) at the IRA’s coached by Ted Nash. Mitch is also a Board Member of the National Rowing Foundation (NRF). In 2018 he was the recipient of USRowing’s prestigious Jack Kelly Award. He has been a resident of Port Washington for 23 years. His daughter, Eva, rowed and coached Middle School for Port Rowing for six years. Mitch is the President and one of the founders of Friends of Port Rowing.