Florian Tudor
Discovering Rowing on the Danube River
Florian first picked up the sport of rowing in 1990 along the shores of the Danube River in Braila, Romania after transitioning from kayaking, where a coach had spotted his potential for the sport. Seizing this opportunity, Florian quickly became a member of Romania’s Junior and Under-23 National Teams, winning a Silver Medal in the Coxed Four at the 1993 Nations Cup in Ioannina, Greece, and also competed that year at the Senior World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic, in the Men's Coxless Four.
GOLD MEDALIST
1994 World Rowing Championships
2000 METERS
From Start to Finish
6:06.69 TIME
Elite Completion
Where Grit Met Glory
Following the 1993 season, Florian continued to improve and the following year became World Champion in the Men's Coxed Four at the 1994 World Rowing Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana. Throughout his career, Florian represented Romania on the world stage, competing in various events, including the Men's Pair, Men's Coxed and Coxless Fours, and the Men's Eight. He is a multiple medalist at the World Rowing Championships and a four-time World Cup Champion in the Men's Eight. Florian also represented Romania at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia in the Men's Eight.
Coaching Career in the United States
After concluding his international rowing career, Florian moved to the United States in 2004 and began his coaching journey at Saugatuck Rowing Club, where he served as the Masters Head Coach and Youth Novice Girls Coach. During his 17-year tenure, Florian led Saugatuck to win multiple Masters National Championships and prestigious trophies. Notably, he coached the Women's 40+ Coxed Four at the Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, MA, achieving first place in 2013 and setting a course record time that remains unbeaten to this day.
Shaping the Next Generation of Rowers
Seasons prior to opening STAR Rowing Center in 2020, Florian coached Juniors from Greenwich Academy and King School Crews at RowAmerica Greenwich Club, and he was the Novice Boys Head Coach at RowAmerica Rye Club — initiating and shaping more generations of future champions and prospective top-school college athletes.
Founding STAR Rowing Center in Connecticut
Florian has dedicated his life to coaching and mentoring junior rowers, helping them achieve their dreams of attending top colleges and universities in the United States. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Florian and his wife Dorina founded STAR Rowing Center LLC in Derby, Connecticut. Situated on the Housatonic River, STAR Rowing Center was born from their passion for rowing and desire to share it with a new community where the sport is not as widely recognized. Their mission is to inspire junior athletes to reach their highest potential in rowing.
Inspiring Junior Athletes to Excellence
Since STAR Rowing's inauguration, Florian has guided and mentored numerous junior varsity rowers to top performances at prestigious regattas such as the Head of the Charles, Head of the Schuylkill, and USRowing Youth National Championships. With over 35 years of rowing experience, Coach Florian emphasizes athlete development, consistent progress, commitment, performance — and most importantly, doing exactly what you love every day.