MITTEN DRIVE
Though the unseasonal warmth doesn't make us think of mittens we would like to invite our fellow rowers to participate in a mitten drive for kids ~ hope you will join us! This winter many City of Poughkeepsie elementary school students will walk to school without a hat or mittens.

Please help us collect new mittens and hats for these children so they can stay warm and safe. You can put your donation of new mittens, gloves or hats in the box in the boathouse lobby or drop them off at Tracy Mauer’s house at 11 Meyer Avenue in Poughkeepsie.

We will collect donations through February and will distribute them to the local elementary schools throughout the winter season.

Thank you!

WeCanRow
In 2002 a rowing program for women with cancer was formed by Row as One and the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston to help women enduring cancer through their recovery and rehabilitation.

In the Spring of 2005 HRRA provided the first WeCanRow program to women in the Hudson Valley. The Hudson Valley WeCanRow program met one evening a week to teach participants about rowing and help one another through the healing process after cancer. HRRA coaches and volunteers used rowing to rebuild strength and mobility and empower women to control their bodies and their lives again.

In 2007 HRRA will offer this program again to women in the Hudson Valley who are enduring cancer. New members are invited to join a series of clinics where the women are taught to row on ergometers and in our Indoor Rowing Tanks. After the women feel comfortable with the rowing stroke they are given a scholarship to attend one of our Rowing 101 classes where they test their skills out on the water.

Starting in April, WeCanRow teams will meet on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm to learn about rowing on indoor rowing machines (ergs) and in the indoor tanks in addition to working on strength and flexibility using weights, stretching and yoga. Please contact us if you would like to particiate in this program or if you would like to sponsor a rower.

YMCA URBAN/RURAL CREW TEAM
In 2007 HRRA is collaborating with the Dutchess County YMCA to provide rowing as an activity for middle school aged students from the City of Poughkeepsie and the town of Pawling. This program addresses two underrepresented groups in the world of rowing and will be part of a larger community program sponsored by the YMCA. In addition to swimming instruction, participants in this program will get instruction and training on the er, in the Indoor Tanks and possibly a few session on the water. If you would like to volunteer or make a donation to sponsor a rower please contact us.

ADAPTIVE ROWING
HRRA is the only Hudson Valley club to offered rowing opportunities for athletes with physical disabilities. In 1999 and 2000 HRRA acquired specialized rowing equipment to use for this purpose. Our athletes work with a partner and a coach to row a recreational sculling shell and adaptations in equipment and technique allow each athlete to learn according to his or her own abilities. Please contact us to schedule a clinic to learn more about adaptive rowing.

TEAMBUILDING
A crew team can only be successful if the individuals are able to grow together and work as one unit with every stroke. This is why rowing in an eight oared shell with seven other individuals is a good process for individuals to learn how to work as a team to reach an end goal. This concept of teamwork translates well into the everyday actions of co-workers and organizations that rely on teams to achieve their company’s successes.

The intent of the program is to demonstrate what it takes to work as a team by learning the basics of rowing. The exercises include warmup/stretching, rowing exercises on an erg (rowing machine) for demonstration and team instruction in an eight oared shell. The goal is for your team to work together and row a 500 m course without intervention by coach.

Clinics require at least 8 people who are able to lift a launch, a shell and carry oars. Rowing exercises can be performed with minor knee/back issues. Clinics are available for five consecutive weekday afternoon/evenings or two day intensive weekend sessions. Each clinic provides approximately 16 hours of team instruction.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
HRRA participates in community projects that make our children helathier and our environment cleaner. Each year our members participate in Scenic Hudson's Great River Sweep and the Kids Expo and we offer numerous clinics and activities for the Hudson Valley Community to learn about rowing and our great Hudson River.

Please contact the HRRA Program Staff at 471-OARS or write to info@hrrowing.org for information about team building clinics and to schedule a clinic for your organization.