Robert Englehardt fell in love with rowing more than 30 years ago.

Today, he’s still in love with it and he’s teaching it to 21 students at Pioneer Valley Regional School in Northfield. He said many of them have also fallen in love with the water sport.

Englehardt, who is a physical education teacher at the school, also coaches the Pioneer Rowing Club, the only public school crew team in the county.

“Everyone should try rowing at least once,’’ he said.

The school’s former athletic director’s passion was sparked back when he went to Springfield College and joined its crew team.

After graduation, he stopped rowing, but never forgot about it. Several years later, he stopped in to see a businessman who happened to be selling his boat.

“I came upon this four-man shell — a Schoenbrod,’’ said Englehardt. “They don’t make them anymore. It’s an ancient boat that happened to be top of the line when I was rowing.’’

Englehardt, who grew up in Hatfield, bought the boat for $600 and “stuck it in my father’s barn.’’

Englehardt said he decided a few years ago he wanted to put together a co-ed rowing team at Pioneer.

He started with six students in spring 2010 and the team has 21 members today — 14 girls and seven boys.

“The girls have the rhythm and technique and the boys have the power,’’ Englehardt said. “It’s a nice combination.’’

He said their abilities range from novice to somewhat experienced.

Englehardt said he has collected more boats over the years.

“I’ve gotten some from an engineer friend who closed his business and gave me boats people had abandoned and I’ve gotten some from other area rowing teams,’’ he said. “They just needed a little work.’’

Englehardt said the team has competed in Northampton, Holyoke, Hingham, Milton, Quincy and Cape Cod and has won a couple of races.

“They’re still learning,’’ he said. “They’re making progress all the time.’’