Row New York’s community programs are varied and take place at all three of our boathouses. We offer several adaptive rowing programs including an indoor program for students from District 75, a recreational program held once a week for children and adults, a competitive program held 4 times a week for children and adults, and an indoor rowing program held over the winter. We also offer programs for adults including learn-to-row lessons, a recreational team, a competitive team and a team for veterans.
School Day Adaptive Rowing
The school day adaptive program served over 120 student-athletes from the NYC Department of Education District 75. Adaptive coaches Carol, Agnes, Ashley, Lizzie, Alex, Edwin, Angelina, and Kate ran sessions Monday through Friday for 16 weeks. This year, more students learned to scull than ever before. The student-athletes celebrated the last practice with relay races. You can see photos here and learn more about the program here.
Recreational Adaptive Rowing
Carol, Agnes, Angelina, Kate, Edwin, and NY Cares volunteers taught more than 25 youth with disabilities on Saturdays in Queens during the fall, spring and summer. Interest has been growing amongst potential participants and volunteers. We also launched an adaptive pilot program in Brooklyn for three weeks during the fall. We worked in collaboration with MyTime Inc., a Canarsie-based organization for kids with autism. Learn more about our recreational adaptive program.
Competitive Adaptive Rowing
Carol and Agnes coached athletes who competed at the BAYADA regatta, Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, Meadow Lake Challenge, Indoor Rowing World Championships and CRASH-Bs. One participant, Katherine Valdez, was 5 seconds from paralympic consideration and medaled at all of the races aforementioned. Learn more here.
Indoor Adaptive Rowing
Mel, Agnes, and Alex coached a 6-week indoor rowing program. It took place over the winter with practices at NYU Langone and it culminated with participation at CRASH-Bs. Our classes welcomed both seasoned rowers like Lauren, who has rowed with us for over 7 years and new participants who have never heard of rowing before. Read more here.
Freedom Rows
Our program for veterans and members of the military continues to grow rapidly. Coaches Alex and Lizzie worked tirelessly to increase awareness about the program and participation within it. They hosted a learn-to-row event at the Manhattan Veteran’s Affairs Hospital, celebrated at the veterans Day Parade, led countless practices, competed at CRASH-Bs and celebrated at the Disability Pride Parade. Later on, the team raced at the Harlem River Classic in June. The veterans team includes two Row New York alumni, one Row New York mom, one Row New York half marathon runner/fundraiser and one member of the Competitive Masters team. A free learn-to-row for veterans is coming up on September 8th. Read a blog by participant Ricardo Charriez. Learn more about the program here.
Competitive masters
The Competitive Masters team is tight-knit and has a huge sense of community. The Masters, both recreational and adaptive, take on all sorts of roles at Row New York. The team is made up of supporters, fundraisers, parents, mentors and more. Among other races, the Competitive Masters team raced at the Carnegie Lake regatta and CRASH- Bs. Learn more about the program here.
Recreational masters
The recreational team fundraised for Row New York and competed at the Harlem River Classic for the second year in a row. One participant tells her story of finding a new passion through rowing. Learn more about the program here.
Learn-to-Row
Learn-to-rows come in two levels: level one for beginners and level two for those who completed level one. This year, a new structure was put in place and nearly all of our learn-to-rows were sold out! Interested in learning to row? Click here.
Indoor rowing program
The Indoor Rowing Program brings rowing to physical education classes citywide. Students learn to row on rowing machines and are taught by one of our expert coaches. Last year, the program taught over 2,000 students how to row. This year, the program taught 4736 students!
Queens summer camps
Queens Summer Camps are open for organizations who are looking for a fun and unique activity for their participants. Coaches Carol, Lizzie, Alex, Patricia, and Claudia host the participants and teach them to row on land then on stable barges on the water. This year, over 12 organizations for students with or without disabilities have joined us this summer. Camps run for one day or longer. See photos from one of our summer camps here.
Youth justice program
Last summer, we worked with youth from the ACS Children’s Center at our Brooklyn site, where they learned to row on the water. After the practice, they asked Alexandra, our community rowing coach, how they could keep rowing, which was music to her ears! Read my blog about the program here. See photos here.
Pop-up Events
We host a myriad of events throughout the year where we invite our community members to learn to row for free. This past year, we hosted lessons at National Learn to Row Day, Hospital for Special Surgery, the West Bronx Rec Center, City of Water Day, Car Free Day and Paralympic Open.
City of Water Day
Over 150 of our neighbors visited our Brooklyn boat launch to learn about rowing on land and on the water. The members of the community got to see Brooklyn from a different perspective, all while learning the unique sport of rowing.
Car Free Day
Car Free Day was a celebration of our city streets. On the day, parts of Broadway and Saint Nicholas Avenue were closed to cars and open for pedestrians and cyclists. Row New York celebrated by teaching members of the community to row on rowing machines. You can see more photos from the day here.
