“Ready all, row!” Imagine yourself aboard a traditional wooden boat at the Village Community Boathouse. This Manhattan-based nonprofit makes rowing accessible to everyone.
The Village Community Boathouse or VCB is located in Hudson River Park on Pier 40. It sits at the intersection of West Houston and West Street. VCB is dedicated to boat building and environmental stewardship. It also promotes human-powered recreational boating on the Hudson River.
Founded in 2008, the Village Community Boathouse grew from Mike Davis’ vision. Davis founded Floating the Apple to make New York City waters accessible. Rob Buchanan said Davis wanted to spawn a series of boathouses.
VCB is run by volunteers. It is financed by donations and membership fees. The Village Community Boathouse is the only organization in New York City offering public rowing on the Hudson River. Free rowing sessions are available. These sessions occur two or three times a week mostly from April to October. Weather permitting of course.
The Village Community Boathouse organizes rowing competitions for its members. Youth and alumni races happen every fall. Once a year, they host a Row Around Manhattan event. Most boats launch for this 30-mile circumnavigation. The Row Around Manhattan also serves as the annual fundraiser for the Village Community Boathouse.
The Village Community Boathouse offers youth and education programs. They provide rowing and navigation classes with the New York Harbor School. In addition to Pier 40, VCB runs a public rowing branch in Prospect Park lake. Since 2016, they have held boatbuilding classes at Brooklyn Bridge Park during the summer.
In 2016, a 14-foot Whitehall rowboat was built. It was built during bi-weekly and weekend boatbuilding sessions. The Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation recognized the Village Community Boathouse in 2014. They received the Village Award for connecting people to waterways. These waterways are vital to New York City’s history.
Haymar Lim, a Village Community Boathouse alumnus, says he takes the lives of everyone on his boat into his hands. He coxes boats in the busy New York Harbor. He contends with changing tides and barge traffic. He also deals with different levels of stamina and fickle weather.
The Village Community Boathouse believes small boat recreation connects people to nature. This can lead to environmental stewardship. VCB promotes awareness of harbor history and the Hudson River Estuary.
The Village Community Boathouse welcomes locals and visitors. They offer free community rowing two days a week at Pier 40. They also offer it once a week in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. Community volunteers learn about boat maintenance. They participate in the community boatbuilding program. Annually, over 1000 people participate in these programs.
Before you step into a boat, attend the safety orientation. Select a life jacket and learn how to connect your oar. Understand how to use the ladder and step into the boat properly. Appreciate the importance of following commands from your coxswain.
The Village Community Boathouse embodies maritime hospitality. It creates a connection to the water. So next time you are near Pier 40 remember to visit the Village Community Boathouse. You might find yourself gliding across the Hudson.