When you think about the Olympics, a number of sports come to mind. In the list of classic sports during these games, rowing is at the top of our list. It's a sport that creates images of collegiate athletes, country clubs, and symphony in motion. Known as the oldest contested
collegiate sport, the first race was between the Harvard-Yale regatte in 1852! Back in the 20's and 30's, collegiate crew received the type of press that baseball gets and it seems like there is a resurgence that has taken place. We had the opportunity to know more about the sport, how it has a lot of commonalities with studio rowing as well as understanding why there is an increased focus in making this sport accessible to more people.
We found ourselves at the members only, Saugatuck Rowing Club in Westport, Connecticut - owned by Howard Winklevoss (this is one of 3 rowing clubs in the Winklevoss umbrella), learning about the fundamentals of rowing from an elite team of trainers from RowAmerica
(their focus is to support, promote and expand the sport of rowing), and the Co-Founders of ROW HOUSE NYC who have indoor rowing studios in NYC.
Howard's awareness of the sport came through his sons (Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss who competed throughout their academic career as well as placing 6th during the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing - they are also known as crypto currency internet entrepreneurs) and their love of training at this particular rowing club that encouraged him to not only buy this boathouse, but additional facilities as a means to garner increased interest of the sport and to preserve it as well.
To create an interest in the sport, a partnership between Saugatuck Rowing Club and ROW HOUSE NYC was created to allow members of the rowing studio to have the opportunity to row on the water. Many of the skills utilized in studio become building blocks when on the
water working as a team.
In addition, this boathouse is internationally recognized as a premier boatclub that has produced annual national and Olympic champions. Members can enjoy an array of rowing programs whether they're a novice or Olympic bound. Additional offerings include a number of workout methods that are offered from yoga, spinning, body sculpting, access to a state of the art gym as well as a lounge and restaurant.
Prior to our day on the water, we had rowed in studio at ROW HOUSE NYC. It's a total body workout that is low impact but has a lot of energy. In studio, it feels like an individual sport where you compete with yourself. While at the boathouse, we warmed up rowing as you
would in studio but transitioning into actually rowing on the water, there is a lot of discipline and connection in order to truly flow on the water!
To have our team of rowers work in sync whether we were going forward, backing up and even getting the boat in the water - taking direction is key. In addition, you learn that each person is needed for the smoothest ride! After a few hours on the water, we hit our stride and working the oars and gaining co-ordination became much easier.
To find out more about indoor rowing, visit ROW HOUSE NYC to find your nearest location. Once you begin working out at their facility, you can find out more about introducing yourself to rowing on water at Saugatuck Rowing Club.
Read more from the Aug Issue and see With the Crew in mag.
