The Rumson Boat Race, presented by RFH Rowing, will be celebrating its 10th year hosting a collegiate regatta in our area.  Five Division-I collegiate rowing teams will participate this year.  Varsity Crews from the United States Military Academy, West Point, Drexel University, Rutgers University, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and Villanova University will compete for the Governor’s and Mayor’s Cups.
 
The sport of rowing on the Navesink River is continuing to grow in popularity every year.  From middle school age to Masters the river is experiencing sweeping and sculling boats. The Rumson Boat Race brings another dimension to those on the Navesink having collegiate teams here as well.  On September 21, 2019 collegiate crews will race five across in the approximately 1½ mile sprint. 
 
The Rumson Boat Race will begin at 8 am, following the Mast Color Guard conducting opening ceremonies at approximately 7:15 am. The collegiate crews launching eight-oared shells from Rumson’s Victory Park at 7:30 am. Crews will warm up on the Fair Haven, South side, and race the 2500meter course on the Middletown, North side, of the Navesink River. In the grand tradition of the Henley Royal Regatta, over 100 athletes and coaches will enjoy the hospitality of local families on the evening of Friday, September 20th, following the Coaches and Athletes Dinner at Bingham Hall in Rumson, NJ.  The Rumson Boat Race Reception, adult only event, will be held at 8pm to welcome collegiate coaches of this year’s teams.  For ticket purchase, go to:  www.rfhrowing.org.
 
RFH Rowing athletes and the community benefit tremendously from this collegiate regatta being held close to home. Not only is it a great opportunity to see some of best collegiate crews from prestigious educational institutions complete against each other on the Navesink River but Rumson and Fair Haven is virtually turned into a small college town for the weekend. Starting with the lamp post signs that welcome the collegiate crews and their boat filled trailers to the launch site. Don’t be surprised to see several athletes in Army West Point in matching clothing going for a run up River Road on Friday afternoon before the RFH Rowing sponsored dinner at Bingham Hall.
 
This is the 10th year that Dan Edwards, founder of RFH Rowing and the Rumson Boat Race has been organizing this event and bringing attention to the sport of rowing in our community which also gives our RFH Rowing athletes great exposure. A number of former RFH rowers have gone on to study and row for these universities.
 
Boat race spectators will congregate at Victory Park for the race festivities. Weather permitting; the race will be live streamed to watch the crew’s compete as they race along the Navesink River.
 
In addition to the event/team sponsor, Morgan Stanley, RFH Rowing thanks sponsors Alliant Boynton/Boynton, EZ Docks Marine Construction, Jersey Mikes of Red Bank, Stifel, World Subaru, Zebra Medical Vision, and Jersey Devil Sport Fishing. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. Please reach out to [email protected] for further information. The Rumson Boat Race Inc, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, supports the RFH rowing team and promotes the culture of rowing in the Rumson-Fair Haven communities. For more information on RFH Rowing and the Rumson Boat Race, go to www.rfhrowing.org.

​RFH Rowing made history at the 92nd Annual Stotesbury Regatta on the Skuylkill River in Philadelphia May 17th and 18th by having five of its eight boats compete in the semi-finals and two of its boats compete in the finals. At Stotesbury, one of the largest scholastic regattas nationwide, crews from 189 high schools with 5,495 athletes in the United States and Canada compete for the best race time.  RFH Rowing’s fielded eight separate boats in races from the freshman to varsity level.  To make it to the final races all entries participate in a time-trial (head race) and the top 12 or 18 teams to move to semi-finals (depending on the number of boats in the time-trial), and only the top six boats make it to the final races. 
 
The five RFH Rowing boats that made it to semi-finals included the Women’s Freshman 8+, Men’s JV4+, Women’s JV4x, Women’s Varsity, and Men’s Varsity 4+.  The two RFH Rowing boats that made it to the finals included the Women’s JV 4x and Men’s V4+. At Stotesbury after semi-finals, the Women’s Freshman 8+ was 10th out of 47 boats; Men’s JV4+ was 8th out of 59 boats; and Women’s Varsity 4+ was 15th out of 58 boats.  In finals, the Women’s JV 4x was 6th out of 23 boats and Men’s Varsity4+ was 6th out of 54 boats. Previously RFH rowing had only sent 7 boats to the semi-finals and 1 made it to finals.
 
RFH Rowing owes it history-making feat to tremendous hard work and practice and is grateful for its ever-growing community support. Head Coach Andrew Hudson, said, “Stotesbury results were the manifestation of our athletes steadfast, year-round training.”  He noted athletes row and spend countless hours in weight room. “Morning and afternoon double-sessions, dedication to proper nutrition and hydration, and proper sleeping habits:  it's a cumulative effect and the results speak for themselves,” he added.  
 
RFH Rowing is a self-funded public school program competing against private school and club teams.  RFH Rowing’s pool of athletes is exclusively sourced from the two coastal towns of Rumson and Fair Haven, while private and club teams are not limited to this.  With fundraising efforts, generous donations, corporate sponsors, and the support of the Borough of Rumson this team is able to compete with the best of the best.  “Our community supports our athletes and without that we could not compete, said Beth Sanville, President of RFH Rowing Booster Club. “We need new, state-of-the art boats, oars, and training equipment and all of that comes thanks to fundraising and sponsorships. ” Sponsors include: Morgan Stanley, Stifel, World Subaru, IMA, Alliant/Boynton, EZ Docks Marine Construction, Jersey Mikes of Red Bank, Jersey Devil Sport Fishing, Zebra Medical Vision and many more local businesses.
 
The athletes train hard under the supervision of their well-experienced coaches, and practice and compete in new to fairly new boats and equipment. Assistant Coaches Amanda Durborow, Josh Prown, Magdy Hannout, and Ed Reilly assist Head Coach Andrew Hudson. This past spring, RFH Rowing participated in several regattas in the tri-state area bringing home 10 gold and 6 silver medals.  These medals came from competitions in the men’s, women’s and freshman-novice 8+, JV4+, JV4x, V4+, and V4x events.  Competing in these regattas helped prepare these athletes for Stotesbury competition. 
 
Dan Edwards of Rumson, N.J. founded RFH Rowing over 10 years ago.   He started this program providing opportunities for many Rumson and Fair-Haven high school athletes to pursue the sport of rowing.  Over 35 athletes have been recruited to row at the collegiate level from Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High School, with new athletes rowing in college with each graduating class.  To support the RFH Rowing program, visit RFHRowing.org and be sure to attend the 10th Annual Rumson Boat Race on September 20 and 21, 2019.  The Rumson Boat Race is a collegiate regatta held on the Navesink River visible from Victory Park in Rumson, N.J.

For Immediate Release
January 25, 2019
RFH Rowing to Host Erg Challenge, Welcomes Community and other Athletic Teams to Compete
Rumson, NJ—RFH Rowing will be hosting its 3rd annual Erg Challenge on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Rumson-Fair Haven High School (RFH High School) on Ridge Road in Rumson, NJ. All are welcome and event starts at 8am. Sponsored in part by Morgan Stanley, the Erg Challenge, an indoor rowing competition, features individual and team categories for all ages including middle school and high school students, adults 18-39 and masters 40+.
All proceeds will go to The Rumson Boat Race, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, that supports the RFH Rowing team and promotes the culture of rowing in the Rumson-Fair Haven communities. The proceeds from the event will be utilized to purchase new boats and equipment for the team. And new this year is the addition of a food drive to benefit Lunch Break. RFH Rowing regularly donates food to Lunch Break during the Fall and Spring regatta seasons and is looking forward to adding another means of supporting this organization.
RFH Rowing Coach Andrew Hudson says, “We are really looking forward to our 3rd annual Erg Challenge. Erging has gained increasing popularity among all fitness levels in recent years. We look forward to even more community involvement.” To sign up, visit ​www.rfhrowing.org​. Heats will be posted to the website five days before the event.
RFH Rowing had a tremendously successful Spring 2018 season and looks forward to even greater success in 2019. Wins included the 2018 Women's JV4+ New Jersey Garden State Championship as well as acceptance to the Henley Women’s Regatta. The 2018 spring regatta season, featuring sculling and sweeping crews at regional, state and national regattas, produced 10 gold medals, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals. Since 2012, the RFH Rowing Team has had 35 athletes recruited to Division I and Division II rowing programs. Alumni from 2016 through 2018 have gone on to row at the following institutions University of Pennsylvania, University of Notre Dame, Bucknell University, Rutgers University, University of Miami, LaSalle University, Iona College, Loyola University, and Indiana University.
An indoor rowing machine (erg) is used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. The indoor rower is calibrated to measure the amount of energy the rower is using through their use of the equipment. This Erg Challenge will feature a large spectator area, with seating, and projection screens for supporters to cheer their participants on, as well as water and snacks for post competition nourishment.
Tremendous support for the Erg Challenge comes from Morgan Stanley, Stifel, World Subaru, Zebra Medical, IMA, Alliant / Boynton, EZ Docks Marine Construction, Jersey Devil Sport Fishing, Jersey Mike’s Subs of Red Bank, Wegmans, Atlantic Bagels. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. Please reach out to [email protected] for further information.
1 

​

Five Division-I collegiate rowing teams will participate in this year’s 9th Annual Rumson Boat Race Collegiate Rowing Regatta, presented by Morgan Stanley, on the Navesink River in Monmouth County New Jersey, Saturday, September 22. United States Military Academy- West Point, Drexel University, Rutgers University, the United States Coast Guard Academy, and Villanova University men’s and women’s varsity crews will compete for the Governor’s and Mayor’s Cups.


The popularity of rowing on the Navesink River is becoming increasingly popular. With the return of Rutgers after a one-year hiatus, and the addition of the Coast Guard Academy, this year crews will race five across in the approximately 1 ½ mile sprint. Rutgers Head Coach Steve Wagner said, “This is a great, fun event early in the season and our kids look forward to it.” He added, “It challenges them to come back in shape and allows them to compete against teams not on our normal schedule.”


The Rumson Boat Race will begin at 8 am, with the collegiate crews launching eight-oared shells from Rumson’s Victory Park at 7:30 am. Crews will warm up on the Fair Haven, South side, and race the 2500 meter course on the Middletown, North side, of the Navesink River. In the grand tradition of the Henley Royal Regatta, over 100 athletes and coaches will enjoy the hospitality of local families on the evening of Friday, September 21st, following the Coaches Reception in Rumson, NJ, and the Athletes Reception at Bingham Hall in Rumson, NJ. "The Borough of Rumson is very excited to welcome the competitors to the 9th annual Rumson Boat Race Collegiate Rowing Regatta. Rumson's own Victory Park is the perfect location to watch the race on the picturesque Navesink River," said Rumson's Mayor Joseph K. Hemphill.


RFH Rowing athletes and the community benefit tremendously from this collegiate regatta being held close to home. “Some of America’s finest educational institutions and their exceptional Crews will challenge each other for the Governor’s Cup, and the Mayor’s Cup for collegiate men's and women's crews,” said RFH Rowing Head Coach Dan Edwards. Scholastic rowing events in Boston, Philadelphia, and other rowing towns frequently are held. “This is the only time most get the opportunity to see big-time collegiate athletes and coaches race and its great exposure for our athletes,” he added. A number of former RFH rowers have gone on to study and row for these universities. In 2017, former RFH athlete Kate Edwards won gold at the Rumson Boat Race as a member of the Drexel University Crew.


Boat race spectators will also enjoy family activities at Rumson’s Victory Park featuring a Duck Race. Weather permitting; the race will be live streamed to watch the crew’s compete as they race along the Navesink River.


In addition to Morgan Stanley, RFH Rowing thanks sponsors IMA, Stiffel, Jersey Devil Sport Fishing, and World Subaru. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available. Please reach out to Robyn Etzler at [email protected] for further information. The Rumson Boat Race, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, supports the RFH rowing team and promotes the culture of rowing in the Rumson-Fair Haven communities.


Would you like to help prepare for the race? Sponsor an Oar The sponsored oars will feature your name or your business name and be hung in Fair Haven during for two weeks leading up to the boat race. Please reach out with any questions to [email protected]  
​

For Immediate Release
January 30, 2018

Rumson, NJ — RFH Rowing will be hosting its 2nd annual Erg Challenge on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at Rumson-Fair Haven High School (RFH High School) on Ridge Road in Rumson, NJ. All are welcome and doors open at 7 am. Sponsored in part by Morgan Stanley, the Erg Challenge, an indoor rowing competition, features individual and team categorizes for all ages including middle school and high school students, adults 18-39 and masters 40+. This year, RFH Rowing is excited to welcome other athletic teams from RFH High School and other schools and clubs to compete. RFH Rowing Head-Coach Dan Edwards says, “We are very excited as we anticipate another successful indoor rowing challenge.”

All proceeds will go to The Rumson Boat Race, a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization, that supports the RFH Rowing team and promotes the culture of rowing in the Rumson-Fair Haven communities. The proceeds from the event will be utilized to purchase new boats and equipment for the team. “Last year, over 100 athletes and supporters cheered on by almost 200 spectators raised over $10,000 for our scholastic athletes,” Coach Edwards says.

Atlantic Indoor Rowing and Fitness in Atlantic Highlands will be offering training sessions for those interested in participating in our Erg Challenge, but do not have prior experience on an erg.  A portion of the training session fees will go to the RFH Rowing Team. More information can be found on the Erg Challenge page of www.rfhrowing.org.

RFH Rowing Coach Andrew Hudson says, “Last year’s Erg Challenge was awesome! It was a really exciting environment for everyone. We look forward to getting even more athletes and members from the community involved and participating this year.”  To sign up, visit www.rfhrowing.org. Heats will be posted to the website five days before the event.

RFH Rowing just completed is most successful season since the inception of the program in 2007 including the 2017 Women's 4+ Varsity New Jersey State Championship and the 2017 SRAA National Regatta Women's Varsity 4+ Petite Final Champions. The 2017 spring regatta season, featuring sculling and sweeping crews at regional, state and national regattas, produced 11 gold medals, two silver and six bronze medals. Since 2012, the RFH Rowing Team has had 35 athletes recruited to Division I and Division II rowing programs.  Alumni from 2016 and 2017 recruiting classes have included: University of Pennsylvania, University of Notre Dame, Bucknell University, Rutgers University, Miami University, LaSalle University, and Loyola University.

An indoor rowing machine (erg) is used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. The indoor rower is calibrated to measure the amount of energy the rower is using through their use of the equipment. This Erg Challenge will feature a large spectator area, with seating, and projection screens for supporters to cheer their participants on, as well as concessions for post competition nourishment.

Tremendous support for the Erg Challenge comes from Morgan Stanley, Peninsula Advanced Dentistry, World Subaru, IMA, Orthocenter-Orthopaedic for Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, Jersey Devil Sport Fishing, Jersey Mike’s Subs of Red Bank and Wegmans of Ocean, New Jersey. Sponsorship and underwriting opportunities are available.  Please reach out to [email protected] for further information.