It’s not uncommon for people to assume that Row New York’s main goal is to create collegiate rowers. Yes, we are a competitive rowing program, but more importantly, we are a youth development non-profit. Our goal is to empower our students to be both mentally and physically strong, to be champions of academics, to go to college, graduate, and overall thrive as young adults.
We do, however, have many talented students who graduate our program and row around the country. For some, it is the perfect companion to their college years. For others, it’s a shocking realization that Row New York is a very different experience than their university team. It can be hard to leave the inclusiveness and diversity that makes Row New York a family. Rowing has its peaks and valleys and each student learns to navigate to their own compass. Some stick with it, while others find new passions and interests.
Meet four Row New York alumni and their take on rowing in college: the good, the bad, the ugly:
Julia Saltonstall RNY ‘16
“Rowing in college is a lot. You wake up at 4:45 in the morning and attend class until 7:40 at night. Some days you barely have a break. However, it is all worth it when I launch off that dock and row into a beautiful sunset with some of the coolest most dedicated women I know. Honestly what could be better!?”
Diana Quezada RNY ‘16
“For the two short weeks that I rowed in college, I walked into the boathouse every day feeling like a stranger to the sport that I had dedicated four long years to. The girls on the team did not bother to say hello, I did not have money for the matching Lululemon gear that everyone was getting, and within the larger team, everyone had their own clique.
Rowing is a sport that demands extreme physical and emotional labor. I did not need the social aspect of the sport to be demanding as well. Row New York exposed me to a world of rowing that did not reflect what it is like rowing on any other team. This is not a bad thing by any means. In fact, I am forever indebted to the beautiful experiences and opportunities that Row New York afforded me. I would not change any of them for the world. I have realized that and come to terms with the fact that my love for rowing does not lie in the sport – a sport built upon the very foundations of elitism and privilege. Rather my love for rowing lies in rowing with Row New York – a family that pulls and fights the odds together.”
Emlyn Knox RNY ‘15
“I almost didn’t row in college. I spent the summer after senior year convinced I wasn’t going to row. College was going to be a time of self-discovery and reinvention (or so I told myself). But on move in day, my RA introduced herself and encouraged me to try out for the rowing team (I found out later she did this to everyone). Her enthusiasm and kindness told me that perhaps Bowdoin’s rowing team would be different from the stereotype I’d formed of athletic teams. I told myself I’d row for a season, it would help me meet people and give me a routine to fit my life around. Two years later, I’m still rowing.”
Yanuel Acosta RNY ‘16
“Leaving Row New York and joining a new team that is composed of people that you don’t know, is a very tough transition. When I was part of Row New York I always asked myself what it was that kept me motivated to show up to practice and improve every day. It took rowing in college to find out the answer.
At Row New York other than teammates, I had a family—people with whom I felt comfortable to be around inside and outside of practice. Once I started rowing in college, I did find a good team–another team where there were nice and accepting people, but it was not the same as Row New York. After practice, everyone would leave the boathouse immediately. At Row New York, it was after practice that we all could spend time together, even if we only had time to walk to Dyckman together and buy a “pastelito”.
Overall, rowing my first semester in college was a very good experience; this allowed me to meet some people that are my friends even today. I really enjoyed racing at the collegiate level, but right by the end of the fall season of 2016, I was feeling indecisive about if that was the place where I belonged. Yes, I got along with everyone just fine. Yes, I enjoyed racing. But I also thought about all the other things that I could be doing during the time that I was rowing; so I decided to leave the team.
Currently, I find myself being more focused on my academics and doing well in school. During my afternoons I still work out—I attend the school’s fitness center five days a week during the same time period that rowing practice would take place. I am really happy with my choice because by attending the gym, I do get more freedom about the workouts that I do, for example, depending on I feel, if I want to hop on an erg, I do it or if I want to run instead, I have the freedom to do that too!”
