by Ruby Lyon
“There’s time for everything. There’s time to get better.” – Amayda Arroyo
It has been asked, why rowing? What is it about this sport that leaves such a long-lasting positive impact on its participants? Throughout the Athlete Spotlights series, our rowers have captured what it means to not only be an athlete, but also a part of the Row New York family. From finding a personal drive, creating close friendships, to investing time in something they love, the effect of boats, water, and camaraderie have been told through our participant’s own voices.
Amayda Arroyo, our final feature for the Athlete Spotlights series, has always taken her sport seriously. Beginning with Row New York as a middle school student, she knew she had found something fun, and she wanted to be great at it. Over time, she saw improvements within herself as her sport grew in difficulty. Like many ventures we embark on in life, it takes time to perfect our craft. After completing her first varsity year on the Manhattan women’s team, she won the Most Improved Rower Award; a recognition she proudly accepted.
Join us in celebrating our final Athlete Spotlights movie, with insights from Amayda!
Fast Forward:
We caught up with one of Amayda’s Row New York varsity coaches, Ashley Jones, to get an inside scoop on how Amayda is doing since the filming of her interview. This is what she had to say:
“Amayda is the type of athlete that seems to get happier the harder the workout is. Her dedication to this team is proven with every row, erg, or run she is challenged with. She always gives 100%. Amayda’s huge smile, awesome sense of humor, and competitive nature make her a natural leader. Everyday at practice, I can see how her teammates feed off her energy and its inspiring. It’s an absolute pleasure to coach such a determined, bright, and funny young woman.”
The Athlete Spotlights series was filmed in the summer of 2015. Created and produced by Row New York alumane 15′, Brittany Benninger and Nadja Steiner, they highlight the student-athlete rowing experience.
