As a Row New York alumna, attending this year’s tryouts for the Queens team brought back great memories. Our Queens tryouts were held at the YMCA in Flushing, the same place where I practiced every winter for four years. Some time had passed since I stepped foot into the Flushing YMCA, but the building smelled the same as it did years ago – like coffee. When the prospective students arrived, I immediately identified with them; they were similar to me seven years ago.
This year was just as full of nervousness, excitement, and anticipation as every other year. Most kids come to tryouts without rowing experience. Most of them have never seen a boat and will be surprised when they learn that rowing is a full body exercise. Many come without knowing what to expect. Tryouts consist of filling out a form, getting interviewed by coaches and following along with a short demonstration on the indoor rowing machines. Coaches look for enthusiasm: rowing isn’t easy and balancing school with six days a week of practice and academics takes lots of effort.
Many current student-athletes bring their friends or family members to tryouts and teach them to row. Years ago, I brought my sisters to tryouts, who joined the team and rowed with other siblings and friends of my teammates. This year, I saw a few of our student-athletes rowing beside someone new, teaching them tips and tricks to go faster during their one-minute erg “test”. I smiled, remembering my own experiences bringing friends and family to tryouts. Those trying out weren’t the only ones who were excited, the coaches and student-athletes also looked forward to having new teammates. Our students and coaches share their love for Row New York by telling parents and their children what its like to row with us. Many of them mention the strength they’ve gained, the fun they’ve had at regattas and college trips and how much they love being on the water every day. We’re happy to welcome more than 100 new teammates to our boathouses this week!
To all our new athletes: welcome to the team! You’ll become close with your teammates faster than you’ll believe and you’ll quickly adjust to the grueling parts of practice (having no free time, being sore, eating and sleeping a lot). Best of all, you’ll become an athlete and you’ll do things you never thought you were capable of!
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