Meet Your fellow rower...Eric (Anthony) Madera

Capital Crew Masters has grown tremendously over the past two years—and with so many new faces joining our boats, you may occasionally find yourself thinking, “Wait…who is that person?” 😄. Well, let’s get to know each other!

When did you join Capital Crew Masters, and what inspired you to give rowing a try?

I don't remember exactly what date, but about 1 year ago. I joined because my youngest daughter decided she wanted to row and did the Fall 2025 Junior Session. Unfortunately, she did not continue for the spring 2026 session. Since I have been rowing competitively for many years, I decided it was time to get back into it with Capital Crew Masters. Now that I am retired, I can dedicate more time to rowing.

What do you enjoy most about rowing?

There are many facets of rowing I love. The workout itself - whether on the water or on the erg, I feel like I expended a lot of energy and worked all the muscle groups without the fear of getting injured like in other sports. I enjoy the camaraderie with all the other rowers. I love morning rows when the sun is rising, and the water is a sheet of glass; evenings are good also, with the sun setting. 

What’s one memorable rowing moment you’ve had so far?

Here at Capital Crew, I am still working on those memories. I have enjoyed all aspects of the club. I have slowly picked up on all the protocols and nuances, so I don't look like a fish out of water. I have rowed since 1977 ( Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska) and have tons of fond memories rowing there and when I moved out to California, rowing for the Los Gatos Rowing Club in the Bay Area; I hope to develop new ones here.

When you’re not rowing, what do you enjoy doing?

I was working full-time until just two weeks ago. I had to go to the Bay Area weekly or travel for business, so that limited my rowing time to just Saturdays with the team.  We have 7 kids (two of them were high school rowers). 2 live in Washington state, 1 in Florida, 1 in Folsom, , and we have two at home - one adult son with Autism (his twin brother passed at 20 yrs) and a 15-year-old daughter. So our time is spent visiting the older kids and grandkids and dealing with the two at home. So no hobbies yet, just parenting!

What’s one thing your fellow rowers might be surprised to learn about you? 😄

I don’t think I have anything in particular that is surprising!

But here is a rundown on me:

I was born in New York City (Bronx) to Cuban parents (my first language is Spanish); We moved to Miami, Florida, when I was 5 and grew up there. I have always been an athlete - Judo, Football, Baseball - playing organized sports since I was 6. I was significantly guided by the Jesuits, going to an all-boys Jesuit school from 7 - 12 grade. Then went to Creighton University, since they didn;t have a football team to walk on, I had to find a sport to keep me busy. The rowing team was starting its first year that fall of 77, so I tried it out, and loved it.

During my time there, I also did missionary work with the Jesuits in the Dominican Republic, setting up medical clinics throughout the country for 3 years, and received a Master's degree in Organometallic Chemistry. I also have a Master degree in Environmental Management from the University of San Francisco (another Jesuit University).  I came to California to work for Lockheed Missiles and Space in 1984 and designed rocket propellant for the Trident Missile. Spent the majority of my career in the Semiconductor and Solar Industries working for various companies. We moved to El Dorado Hills from the Bay Area in 2016. My wife always asked me whether I would move up here when we would come to row the various regattas at Lake Natoma when i rowed for Los Gatos, and I always responded with probably not. In retrospect, I should have said yes.