Don't miss the epic rowing/paddling event of the year!
Rowers and paddlers -- Take the challenge and race on the majestic Hudson River from the Tappan Zee Bridge to the George Washington Bridge.
About the Challenge
It started as a challenge from River Rowing Association Director Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky to the members of the RRA -- could we complete a row from the George Washington Bridge to our home site, just past the Tappan Zee? Once asked, the question needed answering. So, one Saturday morning, a number of diehard RRA rowers headed to the southern shores across from Manhattan, to launch their boats in search of that answer. They all completed the task -- and had fun doing it. Not like kickball fun or dancing fun; but marathon fun, the "I completed so immense a task that the meaningless becomes meaningful" kind of fun. And like that, a race was born.
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The Hudson River is known for it's unpredictable water, tidal currents, and shipping barges, but it is the beauty of the Palisades that will most surprise you as you follow the western shore along the foot of this jurassic abutment. While this race has only been completed in rowing shells, this year we are opening it up to any and all human powered vessels! One major requirement; that anyone entering the race has sufficient experience and skill with their craft that they know they can complete the race in a timely, safe, and controlled manner. This race is meant to add excitement and meaning to anyone's life, but not at the risk of accident or injury to yourself or others.
This is a marathon of a race. The course record is 1 hour and 58 minutes, while there are plenty of singles coming in around 3:30. This year's race should be a bit faster as we will be rowing / paddling with the current. But conditions are always a challenge! Expect to fully exhaust yourself, take breaks, bring food and water, want to stop, cry a little -- to go through enough that finishing is a victory for each individual crew.
