Our History

Founded in 2002 as the River Rowing Association by Peter Fernberger and Bronwyn Woodhead along the banks of the Hudson River in Nyack, NY, RRA began with a single eight-person shell and a handful of high school rowers. In 2003, Peter Klose and Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky joined as directors, converting RRA into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and expanding programming for youth and adults alike.

In 2013, the construction of the new Tappan Zee Bridge prompted our move to Rockland Lake. In 2016, we became Rockland Rowing Association, reflecting our new home and our commitment to serving a broader community. Today, RRA has nearly 100 rowers and offers a wide range of programs for residents of Rockland, Bergen, and Westchester counties.

Rowing has been part of Rockland County since the late 1800s, with clubs like the Nyack Rowing Association and Piermont Rowing Club competing annually on Rockland Lake. We’re proud to build on this legacy by giving all members of our community the chance to experience rowing—whether as a path to college, a way to stay fit, or a source of lifelong friendships.