By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
It’s a beautiful day on Lake Lenape at Atlantic County Park in Mays Landing. The sun is shining and the trees provide just enough shade to give a little comfort on a hot summer day.
Bald eagles glide through the air as fishermen cast their lines while standing on the shoreline. Children giggle as they climb over jungle gyms and swing on the monkey bars.
A cast of unlikely characters (a high school student, a middle-aged man and a former college rower) sets up their boats and prepare for an afternoon on the water. The coach instructs them on how to maximize their form and improve their endurance.
These rowers aren’t competing; they simply want to row.
That vision has been a part of the Atlantic County Rowing Association since its founding in 1991. Joe Haney, the founder and CEO of the club, who served as the girls’ rowing coach at Holy Spirit High School, noticed how towns like Ventnor and Brigantine hosted rowing clubs, but there wasn’t one for the mainland.
“I hoped to educate people about the culture of rowing and add a recreational opportunity for people who live in towns like Mays Landing and Hammonton,” said Haney.
Anyone can sign up to participate in the club’s six-week summer program, and ACRA has worked with folks between the ages of 7 and 75. Volunteer coaches work with beginners up to advanced rowers and help them learn to scull on the lake. The Atlantic County Rowing Association also offers an eight-week program in the fall.
Students can learn on either a scull, a two- or four-person boat, often paired with a more advanced rower so the newbie can glean tips and skills from their partner. Haney told Shore Local News they teach the harder scull rowing first, so students can feel confident and easily apply scull rowing to other boat work.
“We joke about our values, sometimes suggesting that we are the Grateful Dead Rowing Club because we are so chill and mellow,” he said. “We are never training to compete. For us, it’s all about enjoyment.”
Janine Chong is the mom to three boys (twins who are 15 years old and a 13-year-old son). Chong, of Vineland, found the ACRA Facebook page and registered her twins in the fall 2022 rowing program. This year she plans to register her younger son.
“They are a top-notch group of coaches who are devoted to this program and to the sport. They share their knowledge and promote safety, teamwork and the overall love of rowing,” she said. Not only do they share this with the kids, but with the parents as well. I truly believe that my boys will be better rowers overall due to their involvement. I also learned a lot by just observing.
Chong said it was a great time for the whole family and encourages anyone with an interest in rowing to participate.
“Parents, when Coach Haney tells you to get ready to learn, take a chance,” she said. “If I can do it and not fall in, so can you.”
Stepahnie Flynn of Port Republic is another mom of a rower, Steven, who has been involved with ACRA for the past three years.
“The coaches and volunteers are so passionate about the sport and instill that same passion in the kids,” Flynn said. “The program instills confidence, perseverance, teamwork and respect. When they row together, they support each other, which follows them into the racing season (high school athletics) even if they are no longer on the same team.”
In celebration of the new year, ACRA hosted a Lake Lenape cleanup Jan.14. Eighty-seven volunteers participated, representing five different high school rowing programs.
The group walked the entire park along the water’s edge and through the campground. Despite temperatures in the 30s and snow flurries, everyone was cheerful and ready to help.
The Atlantic County Rowing Association has been supportive of the new rowing program at Atlantic Cape Community College. Three administrators from the college participated in the lake cleanup, showing they are on board with the sport and the club.
The ACRA is not affiliated with any high school program, but supports rowers in the off-season. Haney said that rowers from different schools become close friends through ACRA.
Atlantic County high schools that offer crew include Absegami, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Holy Spirit, Mainland Regional and Oakcrest. Brigantine and Ventnor are also home to rowing clubs.
If you’re interested in joining one of the rowing programs, sign up early through the ACRA Facebook page. The club regularly teaches between 90 and 100 students, but don’t delay as they often have a waitlist.
Summer programs are $175 and $100 for returning students. The fall fee is $100 for returning students.
For more information, visit the club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/AtlanticCountyRowingAssociationacra/
Sarah Fertsch was born and raised in Egg Harbor Township, and holds a dual degree in public relations and political science. Prior to joining Shore Local full-time, she worked at a CSPAN affiliate, writing about Pennsylvania legislation. When she isn’t writing, Sarah enjoys painting, horseback riding, and Crossfit.
