Row Around Manhattan 2023

by Deborah Clearman

Thank you to everyone who donated to our Row Around Manhattan on September 16. Despite forecasts of high winds and storm surges, 45 voyagers set out in eight boats from Pier 40 at dawn last Saturday, expecting a sea of whitecaps. Fortunately, Hurricane Lee held off and cool weather made for ideal rowing conditions, with very little boat traffic on the East River. Three members of my crew were from Open Water Rowing at Hull Lifesaving Museum outside of Boston, making their first circumnavigation of Manhattan–and for one, her first trip to New York City. They enjoyed seeing the city from a unique perspective, very different from coastal New England. They were also powerful rowers and our boat Notorious led the pack. 

We were greeted at Halletts Cove in Queens by the kayakers of LIC Community Boathouse—enough room on the tiny beach for all! The sun came out as we rowed up the Harlem River and ducked under the Spuyten Duyvil rail bridge. With the northwest wind at our backs, we sailed down the Hudson and made it home to Pier 40 ahead of schedule. 

We’re proud to have made our $10,000 fundraising goal—a first for the RAM. This includes nearly $2,000 for our high school rowers—a program that introduces young people to rowing, teamwork, and environmental stewardship at a key point in their lives. If you haven’t contributed yet, it’s not too late. You may go here to my fundraising page. Every bit helps!

Once again, a huge thanks to all for your support. Free public rowing continues every Sunday at noon at Pier 40 as long as weather permits, usually well into November. Come row with us!

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0fcJJpOL4-RqRbGZnrGrdmRmg

Row Around Manhattan September 16 * Dawn to Dusk

Every year, the Village Community Boathouse mobilizes its fleet of traditional wooden rowing craft to raise money for VCB’s free public rowing and boatbuilding programs. Join us!

The Row Around Manhattan (RAM) is a challenging and incredibly scenic 30-mile circumnavigation that begins at dawn on Pier 40 and ends at dusk with a spectacular party back at the boathouse.

Row Around Manhattan—Saturday, September 16: Dawn to dusk. Experienced rowers only. You must register in advance HERE and raise money for VCB.

Contact Us:
Website: villagecommunityboathouse.org

Email: [email protected]

Row Around Manhattan 2022

Forty intrepid rowers in six Whitehall Gigs and one Cornish Pilot Gig circumnavigated the island of Manhattan in about ten hours on Saturday to raise money for Village Community Boathouse. It was a hard row against a headwind from the north all the way up the East River and into the Harlem.
Special thanks to Ingo for manning the chase boat

Sally’s RAM Photos:

Ingo’s Video:

https://vimeo.com/739410906

VCB Row Around Manhattan 2021

On September 11, 2021, thirty-two intrepid rowers circumnavigated the island of Manhattan in six Whitehall Gigs. The Row Around Manhattan (RAM) is an annual Fall fundraising event for Village Community Boathouse and each rower contributed a minimum of $100. The RAM is a challenging and incredibly scenic 30-mile voyage that begins at our boathouse on the south side of Pier 40, circles Manhattan on the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers in a counter-clockwise direction, and ends with a spectacular party back at the boathouse.

Originally, the RAM was scheduled for August 22nd but Tropical Storm Henri interfered with our plans and we rescheduled the circumnavigation for September 11.

Special thanks to Ingo Gunther for driving the chase boat despite a sprained ankle and Dave Clayton and Lorne Swarthout for crewing. Thanks to Melissa Curtis for supplying the food for the after RAM party and Henry Yee and Regine Urbach for helping with setup and cleanup.

Whitehall Gig GML: Coxswain: Marcel Dejean
Crew: Ravtej Kohli, Katie Gilbert, Frank Cervi, Hamilton Sands
Whitehall GIG Quixotic, Coxswain: Mary Harvey
Crew: Emmy Chen, Stone Su, Nafel Khan, Michelle Huang
Whitehall Gig Bird: Coxswain Deborah Clearman
Crew: David Tan, Andy Lin, Evelyn Chen, Catherine Chen
Whitehall Gig Notorious G.I.G.: Coxswain: Andrew Leung
Crew: Chris Dong, Bella Signorelli, Pranjal Modi, Emily Travis,
Whitehall Gig Storm Queen: Coxswain: Sally Curtis, Crew: Cadamus Quin, Derek Wollenstein, Daniella Bauleo, Edward Moffet, Leticia Lew
Whitehall Gig Pete Seeger: Coxswain: Michael Anton
Crew: Barbara Garson, Nelsie Aybar-Grau, Linda Seekamp, Francis Yesurathinam, Vivek Sanan
VCB Youth Crew: Coxswain and VCB Youth Rowing Coordinator Mary Harvey and crew
Safety Boat: Ingo Gunther at the wheel, Lorne Swarthout, Dave Clayton
The RAM Itinerary

VCB Row Around Manhattan 2021

2021 VCB Row Around Manhattan

Sunday, August 22 canceled.

Raindate: Saturday, September 11

The Row Around Manhattan (RAM) is a challenging and incredibly scenic 30-mile voyage that begins at our boathouse on the south side of Pier 40, circles Manhattan on the Hudson, East and Harlem Rivers in a counter-clockwise direction, and ends with a spectacular party back at the boathouse. The RAM is also our biggest fundraiser of the year; we ask each rower to raise or contribute a minimum of $100.

This year’s RAM will take place on September 11 with a start time of 9:00 AM (Crews need to be on hand at 7:30 at the latest.

Non-members are welcome to join us provided they have sufficient rowing experience or join us for at least three practice rows between now and the event. Non-rowing friends, family, and colleagues are encouraged to support by volunteering at the event.

You must register in advance. Signup is easyJust click on the link: HERE

If you just wish to support our endeavor, you can donate HERE

If you wish to raise money for VCB, go HERE