Members of the Sagamore Rowing Association recently showed their commitment to the junior rowing program by spending almost an entire Saturday inside the mall. The club held an ergathon on March 28 at Walt Whitman Mall in Huntington, with members participating by rowing on an indoor machine in 15-minute shifts as a way to promote the club.
“The kids have been enthusiastic and we’ve had a great turnout,” said Manny Delgado, head coach.
For five hours that day, team members took turns rowing, ran laps around the mall and passed out brochures to shoppers. The goal was to get the word out about the summer Learn to Row program, which accepts beginner rowers in seventh through 12th grades. Delgado stood watch by a table, available to answer questions about what the club has to offer, and said he was glad to see so many people stopping by and showing interest.
The teens rowed on the same machine they use for practice during the winter so rowing indoors was nothing new to them. Rowing in public this way was a new thing, though Delgado said they were still eager participants.
“But really, they can’t wait to get out on the water,” he said. “It’s been a long winter.”
The Long Island Junior Championships will be held at Centre Island Beach in Bayville on Sunday, May 3, and they are currently registering participants for the summer program. Visit www.sagamorerowing.org for more information.
