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Southside Jamaica’s M.S. 8 is the latest site for Row New York’s winter indoor rowing program. Our four-week program visits every physical education class in the school and exposes a total of 360 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 to the fitness benefits of indoor rowing.

The M.S. 8 girls learn the basics of rowing and rowing-related exercises like the bench pull. Over the course of four weeks, they monitor their 500-meter piece and bench pull test progress, compete in a team relay, and receive an invitation to try out for our on-the-water team. The girls are also given rowing-related math or writing “bonuses” they can take home and turn in for extra points in the program.

The M.S. 8 kids are enjoying a new sport, having fun, and staying fit. During the cold winter months (and then all year-round), they can use rowing to stay healthy and active. Indoor rowing is an activity especially effective in fighting child obesity; it is a high intensity, low-impact sport well suited for obese and overweight youth who might not be willing to or physically capable of engaging in higher-impact activities. Rowing allows overweight and obese youth a chance for activity and competition.

Since our rowing machines are both compact and portable, this program is perfect for schools with limited space for indoor fitness activities. Row New York piloted the program at such a school last winter. With no gymnasium available, we set up rowing machines in the school library.

Coach Nate says: “Middle School 8Q was already one of our target schools for our Pre-competitive Rowing Exposure Program (PREP). Currently, two of our fastest middle-school athletes, Nicole G. and Imani C., attend there. We want to create meaningful school-day programs for all students at 8Q, all the while having a powerful recruiting vehicle for our after-school program.

“Our partnership with Principal Green has really been wonderful. She cares deeply about the welfare of her students and has been so generous by giving us a great deal of curricular space and time.”

Row New York thanks Principal Angela Green and our partners who make these programs possible.

 
Pictured above: the program, housed in M.S. 8’s auditorium, and a lobby window display about Row New York compiled by the school.

 

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