Meet Our Coaches

  • Ben Fields

    Director of Rowing & Coach

    Ben brings a wealth of experience in program management as well as a deep passion for athlete development at every level. As Director of Rowing, he oversees all aspects of LOCR’s programs, from youth and collegiate to masters, ensuring a high standard of coaching, organization, and opportunity. Ben is committed to building a culture of excellence, inclusion, and long-term growth, both on and off the water.

  • David Giyer

    Coach

    David began coaching with LOCR in 2025 as an assistant coach for the youth teams.

    David started rowing with Portland Collegiate Rowing in 2023 and quickly fell in love with the sport, competing in his first regatta after only a month of rowing. He is both a rower and a coxswain, and is excited to continue developing his own skills while coaching and sharing his love for the sport with LOCR.

    Outside of coaching, David was a member of the Oregon Army National Guard and is currently pursuing his degree in biology from Portland State University.

  • Angela Griffin

    Club Administrator & Coach

    Angela joined the LOCR coaching staff in 2025 as an assistant coach for the LOCR youth teams.

    Angela has rowed with LOCR since 2023, first on the collegiate team and now with Masters. She has been competing in sports for most of her life, first in basketball and then distance running. Although still new to rowing, she has competed in many regattas in both sweep and scull boats, including several gold-medal lineups at Regionals.

    Besides coaching, Angela is also the club administrator and a book publishing professional.

  • Spencer Hills

    Coach

    Spencer joined the coaching staff at Lake Oswego Community Rowing in 2024. A passionate rower, Spencer competed in varsity crew through all of high school, developing a deep love for the sport and its team dynamics.

    With an academic background in psychology and kinesiology, he brings a unique perspective to coaching, emphasizing the mental and physical dynamics of rowing. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in psychology at Pacific University, Spencer is particularly interested in the role of exercise science and sports psychology in enhancing athletic performance.

    Spencer is excited to share his enthusiasm for rowing and help athletes develop both on and off the water.

  • Fiona Salbato

    Coach

    Fiona began her rowing career as a walk-on at Lewis & Clark College in 2021. In her brief career, she helped her team win the Northwest Conference Championship in the Varsity 8 and qualify for the NCAA National Championships in 2022. After graduating, Fiona joined LOCR to support both youth and masters teams and continue her own athletic development.


    She is passionate about fostering a positive and inclusive team community where every athlete can thrive. In addition to her coaching, Fiona plans to pursue a career in landscape architecture and design.

  • Hans Svensson

    Coach

    Hans Svensson brings over forty years of knowledge and experience to the LOCR coaching team. A three-time Olympic rower, Hans competed in the 1976, 1980, and 1984 summer Olympics for the Swedish rowing team. His coxless four crew also won a bronze medal at the 1983 World Rowing Championships, and he's achieved great success rowing in a single scull.

    After retiring from competitions, Hans worked for many years as a coach for the Swedish national team. He still rows recreationally in both the United States and Sweden.