Spy Coast Rowing in St. James teaches the sport for all ages
Spy Coast Rowing Advanced/Masters Group members Sherry Germana, of East Setauket, from left, Sharon Marotta, of St. James, Fiona McLennan, of Centerport and Erin Henkes, of East Setauket, train for an upcoming regatta. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Twice a week, Erin Henkes, 46, a nurse practitioner at Stony Brook Medicine and mom of two, can be found on Stony Brook Harbor, oars in hand, ready to row.
Henkes joined Spy Coast Rowing in 2020, and since then, rowing practice has become her “main source of exercise . . . and a large portion of my social outlet,” she said. “It’s such an incredible group of people.”
Spy Coast Rowing, founded in 2020, offers lessons for novices and “club practice” for more competitive rowers in the waters off The Knox School in St. James. It boasts 22 club members and four coaches: Chris Ryu, Angelique Corthals, Isabelle Halpin and Alex Oderwald.
Advocates say rowing offers a full body workout, is enjoyable and is accessible, even for those who have never picked up an oar before.
While Henkes is an experienced rower, Spy Coast Rowing accommodates all levels, offering a Learn to Row Program, where people college age and up are taught basic skills before advancing to the masters team, where they compete against other clubs.
I think what a lot of us rowing coaches are trying to push these days is that this sport can be for everyone and anyone,” said Sean Kreitzer, co-founder of Spy Coast Rowing. This applies to teens in grades nine through 12, who can participate in Gold Coast Rowing, a separate, junior program founded by Ryu.
Learn to Row student Richard Morrison, 70, of Stony Brook, said finding stability on the boat has been the biggest challenge.
“It’s humbling. It’s complicated. But it’s fun,” he said. “Like anything else, it’s going to take time.”
Sushma Reddy, 40, of Port Jefferson, said she tried the sport because she liked the thought of being out on the water. “I like the idea of using . . . all the muscles in my body for a workout,” she said.
After three weeks, Reddy and Morrison have mastered the basics on the rowing machine and now practice on the water, completing drills on training boats.
Meanwhile, club members begin their sessions with equipment preparation, followed by a warm-up and workout.
Enthusiasts said though it can be intimidating, rowing is a uniquely fulfilling activity.
“At the end of the day, it’s a wonderful experience . . . watching the sunset in your boat,” Corthals said.
Richard Morrison, 70, of Stony Brook, gets some advice from instructor Angelique Corthals. Credit: Newsday/John Paraskevas
Long Island Clubs
Spy Coast Rowing
Stony Brook Harbor at The Knox School, 541 Long Beach Rd., St. James, spycoastrowing.com.
Oyster Bay Community Rowing
Oyster Bay Harbor at 3 West End Ave. Building H, Oyster Bay, oysterbaycommunityrowing.org.
Port Rowing
Hempstead Harbor at North Hempstead Beach Park, North entrance #2, 141 West Shore Rd., Port Washington, portrowing.org/.
Cost
At Spy Coast, the adult Learn to Row program is $400 per month. The masters team is $625 per season for two weekly sessions, or $700 for three. The juniors team is $2,000 per person.
Words of encouragement
“Don't let fear be the thing that stops you … just go down and do it, right … It's something that you could fall in love with,” Ryu said
What to wear
Come to practice wearing tight or neoprene shorts, a high visibility shirt or jacket (depending on weather), and water shoes (Crocs or plastic Tevas). Don't forget a change of clothes in case you fall in.
