News
Rowing Off The River NRR hosts Two River ERG challenge
By Ryan Fennell
SHREWSBURY - Last winter John Crilly, a volunteer coach at Navesink River Rowing (NRR) in Red Bank, initiated the Navesink Indoor Rowing program designed to keep participants of the sport "river ready" during the months between the fall and spring seasons.
Navesink Indoor Rowing is owned and coached by Crilly and is independent of the spring, summer, and fall programs offered by NRR.
According to Crilly the purpose of the indoor program is to continue training and conditioning through the winter so that the athletes are prepared and ready to row as soon as they get out on the water in the spring.
"I train these kids so they can get better. It's not exactly like being on the water but it's close," Crilly said.
Crilly, a volunteer firefighter in Shrewsbury, requested and gained permission to house the Concept 2 Erg (ergometer) machines used for indoor training in the Shrewsbury Hose Company Firehouse on Broad Street in Shrewsbury.
The training program is centered on members participating in one or more annual indoor Erg competitions that take place in February particularly the Mainline Slide at Villanova University in Philadelphia and the CRASH B World Indoor Championships at Boston University in Boston.
In its first year, Navesink Indoor Rowing was able to host the inaugural Two River ERG Challenge last Sunday morning that drew between 50 and 75 participants from the area.
"The idea," said Crilly. "Is that training on rowing machines is a necessary evil if you want to be successful on the river. It can be boring so these races make it more exciting."
"The beauty of it is that I can get right up next to a person and correct their stroke and help them get their stroke down and help prepare them for getting on the river and sprinting right away," Crilly added.
Kay Vilardi, president of NRR, was in attendance on Sunday.
"A lot of our kids wanted training and to stay conditioned over the winter," said Vilardi. "I think this is excellent. Now they are ready to row and are conditioned to get on the water."
NRR is open to all high school students in Monmouth County according to Vilardi.
Vilardi said that NRR helped Christian Brothers Academy launch their crew team two years ago by allowing the team to use the club's launch site at the foot of Maple Avenue in Red Bank. Vilardi said that NRR is now helping the Ranney School in Tinton Falls to initiate a rowing team several of whom were in attendance at the Two River Challenge.
According to Vilardi, NRR membership is also open to everyone in the community and membership includes the use of club boats, lessons, and coaching and youth programs from May through October.
NRR is also making seats available for Red Bank children to participate in the sport that may not be able to afford membership fees.
Crilly said that some of the proceeds from the challenge would go toward paying for those memberships while much of the remainder will be donated to the Shrewsbury Fire and First Aid Companies.
"It's in the interest of the whole community," Vilardi said. "We want to give back to Red Bank and Red Bank's kids because they are a fantastic host."
"A lot of kids don't have anything to do. We're here to help kids and be a good community partner. We're so glad John (Crilly) started the indoor program. It keeps the momentum going." Eamonn Sweeney, 18, a senior at Middletown South High School and a member of the NRR was the first place finisher in the Boys Youth Heavyweight heat on Sunday with a time of 6:52.4 in the 2000-meter race.
According to Crilly a world-class time for the event is around six minutes.
Sweeney said that he began rowing in January of 2008 and plans to continue rowing with NRR while attending college at Monmouth University in West Long Branch.
"I get a high from it," Sweeney said. "I love the tingle at the end of the race and going faster at the end than at the beginning. Rowing is an honest sport."
Jamie Gordon, 16, a student at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School led the Girls Youth Heavyweight heat with a time of 8:03.
Gordon has been rowing for two years and has also played basketball, softball and continues to play field hockey for RFH. According to Gordon, one of her coaches suggested the sport to her, and she hasn't looked back.
"I really love the sport and really want to row in college," said Gordon. Gordon is interested in attending San Diego State College, a Division 1 school with a rowing program.
Crilly felt that the inaugural Two River Challenge was a success and hopes that next year the event will have an even stronger showing.
