Join us as we count down our favorite moments of the year! We could not have done this without the contributions of every member of our community. Thank you!
10. Triple The Meters
Harlem River Challenge competitors go the distance
Over 500 competitors ran, rowed, biked, and erged more than NINE MILLION METERS in support of our programs! This was more than triple the distance covered in 2020. Our competitors moved to unlock a generous donation from our Board of Directors. They also fundraised, bringing in donations from friends and family. Together, we raised over $90,000 for our programs. Incredible!
9. Learning By Sculling
Welcoming our newest teammates
This fall, we officially welcomed new rowers to our team! Prospective athletes met our coaches at their schools and were invited to join us for welcome weeks in September, October, and November.
For the first time, novices began their rowing journey by learning to scull in octuples. We now start with sculling because it’s a balanced motion on both sides of the body, and it’s easier for novices to learn to suspend their body weight on the oars. We find that it’s easier to match the length and the finish with sculling than with sweeping when you’re first learning. Teaching sculling first leads to more stable boats and better rowing earlier on.
8. Back At It
Adaptive rowers back on the water
The Adaptive team was able to get back on the water in the summer! We have welcomed Head Coach Jo Wainwright to the team and are working to revamp our Veterans and Adaptive programming.
7. Focused On Competition
Eyes on the prize
Our athletes want to go FAST. We are feeding their competitive spirits with more ambitious training and racing plans.
We also added an intermediate squad for athletes who can only commit to practices four days a week. This way our athletes are able to take a step back without quitting the team so they can focus on school, family, or other priorities.
6. Expanding Student Support and Success Services
Formerly known as Academics
We changed the name of our academics programming to more accurately reflect the scope of our offerings for our young people. It’s not just a rebranding, we also reworked our annual curriculum for our weekly sessions, added optional tutoring sessions, helped coaches with recruiting, restarted in-person programming, expanded our hybrid college prep programming to include college visits, college counseling, mentorship, and other events.
We continue to offer weekly tutoring, virtual SAT prep, and optional sessions with our social worker.
More extensive alumni support
Our alumni programming expanded with the addition of three peer mentors (all Row New York Alumni) and an Alumni and College Success Assistant who provide responsive support to students based on their needs, with a focus on the following topics: academic success and skill-building, financial aid, major/career exploration, school/home/work balance, campus resources and activities, navigating online resources, connecting with peers and on-campus stakeholders, self-advocacy and community building.
5. Alumni Rows
Reunited and it feels so good
For the first time since our inception, Row New York Alumni joined us on the water for a series of alumni rows. In the coming year, we’re looking forward to having more regular opportunities for our alumni to connect with each other and, of course, row.
4. Welcoming New Teammates
Including a Vice President of Rowing
This year we welcomed many new members to our staff including full-time and part-time coaches, Student Support and Success staff, and administrative staff. We also added a Vice President of Rowing to oversee our Adaptive and Community Programs. Get to know each of them a bit more at the blog below.
3. College Bound
Accepted, enrolled, and attending college
Every single member of the Class of 2021 graduated high school on time and the vast majority (96%) of them matriculated into college. We have a new partnership with the organization College Access: Research and Action (CARA) to help support the Class of 2021 through their first year of college.
Our Class of 2022 is already receiving acceptances (pictured above) and we’re so excited to announce their decisions in the spring.
2. Hard Work Pays Off
Erg scores improving by leaps and bounds
In addition to their usual training, this fall, our athletes incorporated daily erg pieces and weekly race-pace pieces. After their land warm-up, water warm-up, and water workout, our athletes put their boats away and set up for their erg workouts and erged by moonlight.
Their efforts paid off: every one of our varsity athletes improved their speed and consistency on their Friday pieces compared to those from earlier this season. Some of the athletes even went faster during their 20-minute piece than they did for their 2k test last winter!
1. Twenty Years Of Row New York!
Celebrating two decades of pulling together
In 2022, we are celebrating our 20th Anniversary! We’re looking forward to bringing together our entire community and sharing our favorite moments from the past. Keep an eye out for special events and opportunities to celebrate with us throughout the year!
