BackSplash | Summer 2026

new water sport. She reports feeling increasingly comfortable with the nuances of catch and release timing, and the distinctive feel of drive versus recovery. “There’s a lot of moving parts to this,” she said, and it’s good for the brain.

One of newest members of the LTR coaching staff is Matt King, whose early coaching experiences included teaching middle and high school boys how to row on the Charles River in Boston. Of his approach to coaching new rowers, Matt observed “my job isn't to produce competition-ready athletes; it is to introduce a sport (that I love) that can become a life-changing hobby/interest that can profoundly change the trajectory of people's lives.” He went on to say “for me it is all about the fundamentals and ensuring that folks have a little fun while challenging themselves to learn new things as adults - it has been a real gift working with folks who put themselves out there to try something completely new.” HRCR offers New Yorkers the only Learn to Row programming available in the city, and it does so free of charge, relying on donations and volunteers to make the programming work. 

Last year, HRCR rower and board member Max Ferrandino spearheaded Patience on the Recovery (PotR), a HRCR program for cancer survivors. Rowing programs for cancer survivors are widespread at clubs and community rowing organizations across the United States and beyond. Programming ranges from get-on-the-water events and learn-to-row courses to competitive crews, and everything in between. PotR is part of the Survivor Rowing Network (SRN), an umbrella organization including 40 participant programs and 700 rowers. Fueled by a seed grant from the SRN, the HRCR organizing committee for PotR kicked off programming with a get-on-the-water event last year, and built on that beginning this past summer with more events and participants. Max Ferrandino notes that in the last few months, PotR has “hosted eight total erg sessions at the Lower East Side Community High School, two water sessions on the Harlem River, and participated in another on-the-water session at Cortlandt Community Rowing Association.” Max sees that last event as the “highlight of the season,” because HRCR survivors were able to meet and row with other survivor athletes from well-established programs at Cortlandt Community Rowing Association and Saugatuck Rowing Club: “We had four boats out on the water: a double, four, and two eights, where the members of our program got their first exposure to on-water rowing.” The PotR Committee is hoping to expand programming and participation over the next year. “The immediate goal for the fall season,” said Max, “is to either run a scrimmage with Cortlandt Community Rowing or help field an eight for the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta.” If you are interested in this program, or know someone who might be, check out the PotR web page. 

Daniela Torres, who learned to row in Houston, has enjoyed the chance to row in a Skills Building weekday block, emphasizing “it helps to row consistently with the same people." Katy Kam, who mainly rowed in Advanced Skills weekend sessions this season and coxed in college, is enjoying the challenge of rowing sweep and learning to scull. Lindenbergh explained that “this year the focus has not been on expansion of general programming but instead on supporting our influx of new rowers through doubling the capacity for LTR,” acknowledging, “thanks to the donations that enabled the purchase of the extra launch and to all volunteers helping us to run LTR at double capacity.” Lindenbergh says that HRCR’s programming plans for the late summer and fall include experimenting with open sign-up AS sessions on weekdays, running more learn-to-row courses, and continuing “intensified coaching” on the water in addition to erg practices for the varsity comp team. With all of that going on, HRCR may well exceed its 2025 “butts in seats” total of 3,000 across all programming. 

This update was provided by Development Committee Chair Jennie Campbell.

The first campaign of our 20th anniversary year has officially hit (and surpassed!) its goal! Through donations to GoFundMe, PayPal, corporate matches and merch/raffle sales at the 20th anniversary party, the community really came together! Thank you to everyone who donated and has worked so hard to make this season a success.

As for the future, we will be kicking off another campaign in the fall to finish covering our operating expenses this year and setting HRCR up well for 2027. Our overall fundraising goals remain the same: cover our operating expenses (including paying our coaches), programming, and maintaining and expanding our fleet.

HRCR competitive and recreational teams had a great season of racing this summer. The season started off in early June with a rec racing team contingent attending the Stonewall Regatta in Washington D.C., where HRCR crews took first place in the nonbinary 4+ and the men’s master 4+, as well as having a number of second and third place showings. Also in June, at Rockland Masters Regatta, the comp team finished first in the women’s, men’s, and mixed 8+, first in the men’s quad, and no less than third in any other event. Our crews also took home coveted hand-made ceramic medals for winning the team relay. The comp and rec teams raced well at Carnegie Lake Regatta in Princeton in July, coming in first in the men’s 8+, men’s quad, and mixed quad, and second in the women’s and mixed 8+. The comp team faced tough competition with aplomb at the Independence Day Regatta in Philadelphia, placing second in the A and B age category mixed 8+ races, second in the women’s masters 8+ and third in the men’s masters 8+

The comp team was large enough this summer to split into two practice groups, each rowing twice a week on the water and coming together once a week to erg in the East Village. Briant Canha coached the group primarily competing in men's events (with substitute coaching from Zulia Martinez) while Jane Bolgatz coached the group primarily competing in women's events. Briant commented that his crews “had an outstanding season remaining undefeated in the tri-state region,” while “we made a very strong showing against tough competition at the Independence Day Regatta.” Jane praised her team for their “impressive” level of dedication, observing that “it was competitive,” but also that “there was a really nice team spirit.” Briant's team rower Jamie Poole said that the season was “really incredible,” noting that they “grew a lot as a team.” Alistair Wandesforde agreed, adding that it was “fun to represent and compete on behalf of HRCR.” Jane's team rower Isabel Gustavsson highlighted the camaraderie of “travel with old and new teammates” to regattas, adding that she is excited for the fall season. Lucy Bartel, who has rowed with the current comp team since its beginnings in the fall of 2023, noted how having three team practices a week has provided consistency and helped the team to think "more holistically as athletes" combining "water time, erging, and rest." This fall, the comp team will again run separate water practices and will compete in a number of regional and national regattas, including the Head of the Charles.

A: I have been rowing with HRCR since 2022 and generally sign up for the weekend Advanced Skills sessions. I also enjoy participating in recreational racing (which does not require early AM rows).

Q: Have you had any other roles at HRCR?

A: I am a voting member and try to volunteer where I can be useful. I joined the outreach committee to help build our connections in the community, which supports our efforts to grow the program and plan for a future boathouse. I also like to volunteer in the Learn-to-Row program.  

Q: Why do you love rowing? 
A: Rowing is not boring! Each workout session is different, with new lineups and scenery and there is always an aspiration to have a better row than the last time. It's also a great way to tune out the daily grind — a chance to meditate by focusing on one clean stroke at a time.

Q: What do you like about rowing on the Harlem with HRCR?

A: I am amazed that we have access to this beautiful river and unique environment. Hopefully, each of you has had the chance to experience glassy water and stunning sunrises and sunsets. I am grateful to the board and volunteers who work so hard to provide these programs for all. I never imagined, after my first time on the water more than 40 years ago, that I'd still be rowing here today.

HRCR CALENDAR

For the purposes of international and national competition, governing bodies including World Rowing and USRowing define eligibility for age restricted racing categories (such as youth, adults under 23, and masters) as the athlete’s age by December 31 of a given year. Thus, depending on an athlete’s birthday and the time of year, they may be younger or older than the age category they are rowing in.

Usage: “I’m 42 but my birthday is in October so my rowing age is 43. I can finally enter the C single event at Master’s Nationals!”