by Ruby Lyon, Marketing and Communications Manager
It’s been an active summer for Row New York. In addition to the flurry of activities we do with our youth programs (insert college tours, rowing/racing, writing workshops, and field trips) we’re also getting to know our communities through rowing.
If you follow our blog you might remember that we celebrated National Learn To Row Day in June and saw hundreds of people join us in Queens and Manhattan. It was incredible to share rowing with so many people of various ages and abilities. But let’s not forget about our newest rowing site in Canarsie, Brooklyn. We gave residents there a taste of the sport this past weekend during City of Water Day (a Waterfront Alliance city-wide event).
Participants traveled far and wide to our Brooklyn site while others happened to spot us while strolling by. We were able to introduce the beautiful stretch of calm water known to our Brooklyn site to all who were interested. There were some perplexed looks when we first pitched those wandering by to come row with us. Those who gave it a try, however, quickly realized how fun and safe the experience was.
We also celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Row America, one of the most generous supporters of the Row New York Brooklyn site, alongside board member, Arshay Cooper, and the Brooklyn youth team.
What’s next for the Canarsie neighborhood? We are currently hosting completely free learn to row camps for girls ages 12-18 over the next few weeks. These camps are a perfect introduction to the Row New York program and set participants up to join our year round team if they’re hooked. Eventually, we hope to bring the fantastic adult programming known at our Manhattan boathouse to our Brooklyn site.
For adults interested in taking a half-day immersive Learn-to-Row 1 class with us in Manhattan, register on Eventbrite: July 22, August 5, or September 9. All fees from our Learn-to-Row classes go back into our community programs, which move kids through college and empower people with disabilities.
We look forward to connecting with local residents and schools this fall when we host tryouts for high school students. Keep an eye out on our social accounts for updates on our newest location and it’s rowing offerings. Thank you to each person who came out and gave rowing a try with us on Saturday and to our super awesome volunteers!
