Rumson Crew Program Launches with 4 Concept-2 Ergometers from Circle BMW

Ergometers are stationary, upright and recumbent exercise bikes used to develop the muscles needed for rowing.  During the cold winter months, these ergometers are an excellent way to keep the students engaged in the sport and to prepare for the competitive season ahead.  The 2007 Rumson Crew season will include competitive races on the Navesink River as well as in the tri-state area.

The donation from Circle BMW is in response to the upcoming Rumson Crew fundraising campaign that kicks off on January 12, 2007.  Circle BMW is the first corporate sponsor for Rumson Crew and is a proud partner with community services that enrich our youth.  Steve Rudkin, General Manager of Circle BMW is a rowing enthusiast and he looks forward to participating in the Rumson Crew adult rowing program this summer.

Steve developed a passion for rowing on Lake Murray, South Carolina. While never formally competing, Steve discovered the physical fitness that could be developed from rowing. When He returned to New Jersey in 1988, and not yet willing to give up the sport, he bought a Concept 2 machine, actually swapped his Nordic Track for it, strangely enough, from his new employer, Tom DeFelice.

Rumson Crew is a new program managed and supervised by Rumson Recreation and lead by coach Dan Edwards.  The 2007 season will start with approximately 60 students from grades 9-12 that live in Rumson.  In the summer, the program will offer a program for students in grades 7and 8 as well as an adult rowing program.

Here are some very interesting facts of Rumson Crew and rowing programs for our youth:

  Rowing is the fastest growing sport in America (especially women’s rowing)

  New Jersey is the capital of Rowing the U.S. The Olympic Committee recognizes the USRA, Princeton, NJ as the governing body for rowing in the U.S.

  The U.S. Men’s Olympic Team won Gold and the U.S. Women’s Olympic team won Silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics

  50 New Jersey High Schools have Crews

  The first collegiate athletic event in the U. S. was a crew race between Harvard and Yale

  NCAA Title IX has resulted in many college scholarships for our girls. Unfortunately, too many of these scholarships are going to Central and Eastern European Girls.

  Rowing is all inclusive: the ultimate walk-on and team sport. Athletes and non-athletes alike excel in rowing through pure determination. Rowers can compete at 130 lbs, 145 lbs, 155 lbs, and heavy weight, both boys and girls.

  Rumson Crew, initially for students of Rumson Fair-Haven High School is sponsored by Rumson Recreation and the Borough of Rumson. Rumson Recreation will match the first $27,500 raised for the program.

If you would like to make your own donation to the Rumson Crew program, use this donation form.