Facilities and Programs

General Comments:

       The Aqueduct Rowing Club occupies two bays of a three-bay boathouse located
in Aqueduct Park in Niskayuna, New York. The third bay is home to the Niskayuna
High School Crew. Aqueduct currently maintains a number of sculling and sweep boats
which are available for use by the members. These include three eights, three fours,
one quadruple scull, two doubles, four singles, and two recreational singles. Storage space for
a limited number of privately owned shells is available.

        The rowing season for crew boats generally runs from May until October with
coached practice sessions starting at ~5:30 P.M. Monday through Thursday. An opportunity
to sign up for specific boats and times is provided at the annual spring dinner meeting in April.
Those committing to row are responsible for being available at the specified time or identifying
a suitable substitute. In addition, each crew is expected to arrange for a coxwain for their particular
boat. Members wishing to scull may do so at any convenient time once the water is warm enough
to minimize the danger of hypothermia in the event of a capsize. A sign-up sheet for sweep and
sculling boats is provided in the boathouse. Those rowing singles must demonstrate a reasonable
degree of proficiency and pass a capsize and re-entry test before being permitted to row alone.

Organization:

        The officers of the club are:

                                President                   Steve Kast
                                Vice President           Michelle Cravetz
                                Treasurer                   Harry Darling
                                Secretary                   Susan Kohler

        Officers are elected for a term of one year at the annual fall meeting. In addition
there is a Board of Directors whose members are elected for overlapping terms of 5 years.
The Board and officers have the primary responsibility for managing the affairs of the
Club and are governed by the Club by-laws. A copy of the by-laws is available on request.

Coaching:

        Free on-the-water coaching is provided by the Rowing Club for interested crews.
Both competitive and non-competitive crews may take advantage of this offering
although a primary objective is to train and prepare for racing in summer and fall regattas.
Coaching for scullers is available on selected weekends during the summer. The times
and dates are announced in advance of the sessions.

Learn-to Row Program for Novices:

       Each year the club runs a learn-to-row program for individuals with no experience
in rowing.The cost is $175 and prospective participants are asked to fill out an
application and waiver form which should be submitted to the Club President. The
number of people which can be accomodated is limited and applicants are selected
on a first-come / first-served basis. The five week session is held from early June through early July
with coaching on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. Prospective
rowers should note that rowing is a strenuous sport and applicants should
be in good physical condition in order to participate.

Social Events:

        The major social activities of the year are the Fall and Spring meetings which
are dinner outings normally held in November and April. In addition, the club holds
informal barbecues and fun races at various times during the season. Members are
expected to help at dock-in and dock-out, when the rowing docks are launched
and retrieved from the Mohawk River at the start and end of the rowing season.
Most club members participate in the annual regatta (Head-of-the-Mohawk) as
competitors, timers, food servers, etc. This is the primary fund-raising and rowing
event of the year.