Cross Currents

RECREATION: All in the same boat
Cross Currents was featured in the July 23rd, 2008 issue of Rochester's City Newspaper!  The article tells the story of how the Minority Rowing Program at GWC came to be and features the current members of Cross Currents team, and their experiences and perspectives on the sport of rowing. 

Click here for the 2009 Cross Currents rowing schedule!

The Cross Currents rowing team, formed in 2006, is a group of dedicated individuals who demonstrate that rowing is a sport accessible to people from all ethnic groups.  This rowing team is unique to the Upstate & Western New York areas, and it represents people of Hispanic, African-American, and Samoan descent. 

“Being a member of Team Cross Currents tests every paradigm of leadership, diversity, and athletics.  Rowing is the ultimate team sport.  It provides a metaphor for how to lead, be a team member, handle differences, and ultimately how to work together to achieve a common goal.”
Lydia Boddie-Rice, Cross Currents Charter Member and Manager of Public Affairs at RG&E

In 2007, the Cross Currents team proudly began rowing in their new 8-person Vespoli shell, which was made possible through a generous $15,000 donation by RG&E in addition to a contribution from the GWC.  RG&E has been the largest financial contributor to the Minority Rowing Program at GWC and we appreciate their support as we strive to achieve our goal of encouraging youth and adults from our community to develop an awareness of and embrace water sports!

Cross Currents has competed in several local regattas over the past few years, and as the team grows and matures, other opportunities also arise in which the team can show its commitment to rowing and the message that this sport is accessible to minorities.  There is opportunity for participation in the presitigious Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston in 2009, for which the team has already begun training! 

In 2008, Cross Currents developed a relationship with Philadelphia-based minority rowing program Breaking Barriers, an organization led by Dwayne Adams. Adams is an African-American Paralympic rower who has competed internationally and through Breaking Barriers is working to diversify and raise awareness of the sport of rowing in his community. 

Most of the current members of Team Cross Currents are adults, however we are actively trying to recruit both youth and adult minority rowers to grow this wonderful program.  If you are interested in becoming a part of GWC’s Minority Rowing Program, please contact us today! 

Special thanks to Lydia Boddie-Rice and Nelson Torres, who have supported Cross Currents with their enthusiasm and their tireless fundraising and recruiting efforts!

On Thursday, June 18, 2009, students From Freddie Thomas High School traveled to the Pittsford Indoor Rowing Center to try out for Cross Currents... Check It Out!