Community Organization Offers Peek into an Obscure Sport

Beyond the clear glass doors with signs marked kids to the right, adults upstairs, Hudson River Rowing Association kicked off its first community learn-to-row event since the pandemic. In an attempt to rebound program attendance, the organization held an open house event to show off rowing to people across the Hudson Valley.

Around fifty people mulled around the boathouse lobby, adults gingerly making their way up the wooden staircase, and children of all ages darting in and out of the spacious workout room. Coach Andrew Runne, in his signature flannel and rowing hat, tried to organize the chaos.

“This is a super exciting time,” he remarked, “it’s the first learn-to-row and open house we’ve had since Covid, and everyone is really happy to be back.”

The three-hour event demonstrated the fundamentals of rowing, allowing participants to try it for themselves on the indoor rowing machines and the boathouses’ state-of-the-art indoor water tanks.

“It’s important we give people a feel for it beforehand so they can decide if they want to go out on the water or not,” Runne noted. Programs such as this allow the public a unique insight into an otherwise obscure sport.

Each group was led by current Hudson River Rowing athletes, youth and masters, who taught participants the basics of the rowing stroke, how to maneuver their body along the seat, and how to row together in the water.

“It’s nice to be able to show people something new,” senior rower Amanda Markett added, “you don’t get to be the teacher everyday, it’s pretty cool.”

The event certainly would not have taken place had it not been for the athletes, who spent their Saturday morning parking cars, leading tours around the boathouse. Many newcomers stood in awe as they were led through the expansive racks of rowing shells, neatly packed along metal shelves on each side of the boat bay. “This is where the magic happens,” one tour guide is overheard telling his group.

Although they won’t get on the water today, Coach Runne and his staff hope events like this will drive membership in the right direction. He explained how HRRA had been declining in members since the pandemic, and despite being established in the area for 25 years, they felt less seen than ever before.

“People look out and see us rowing everyday. Most probably think ‘I want to try that’ but don’t know where to go. I can’t go around screaming ‘Here we are!’”