Row Haven Youth

Creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in the sport of rowing

Row Haven Youth (RHY), a program of Canal Dock Boathouse, Inc, is a FREE youth development and rowing program for New Haven students enrolled in 9th-12th grade. The program is held year-round; during the school year* and via a five-week session in the summer. RHY provides a wide range of activities that foster physical, emotional, and educational well-being in a safe and fun environment at the Canal Dock Boathouse.

*Practice Schedule: Monday - Friday, 3:00pm-5:00pm (Early Dismissal Days, 1:00pm-3:00pm) and Saturday, 8:00am-10:00am (during the summer months)

To learn more or register today, contact Tamara Clayton at tamara@canaldock.org

We provide:

Competitive and recreational rowing
Dry-land rowing on Concept2 RowErgs
Kayaking & Dragon Boating
Tutoring and homework help
SAT preparation
College preparation
Community building
Social justice curriculum
Leadership building skills
Family support
Free meals and snacks

and more!

Programming

Our Schedule

Row Haven Youth (RHY) adopts a holistic approach to programming that serves all youth from the New Haven community, including those who are disengaged from school or disconnected from after school activities. Sports and enrichment activities help build human and cultural capital, as well as develop and define children’s interests and skills. Data and academic research support the need for after school programming that provides youth with a multitude of services in a single location. RHY's student-athletes will have access to new and enriching experiences that will provide lifelong developmental benefits.

Through the establishment of a competitive and recreational rowing team in the city of New Haven, RHY is committed to removing the barriers that have limited Black, Indigenous, and kids of color’s access to the sport of crew. With supplemental holistic activities and resources, RHY will support young student-athlete’s communal, educational, familial, and personal development.

Our Mission

I get excited about going out on the water and seeing my friends and wondering which of my friends show up and what we're going to do today. We have opportunities to do homework. It's also good exercise; I've seen a difference in my strength.

~ Adja, Participant

I would tell any parent to come and let their kid experience what it's like to be in an actual team crew boat and be out on the water. I commend her courage, and anything that gets our children more active, interested, and involved.

~ Antonio, Parent of Participant

Crew Haven is important to me because I get to come here after school and learn new things about myself and other people. I get to try new fun activities in the water and outside the water and I get to do academic as well as health things.

~ Janiya, Participant

Previously known as Crew Haven, Row Haven Youth was founded in the Fall of 2020 as a response to the social justice upheaval spurred on by the Black Lives Matter movement after the murder of George Floyd. During the same time period, the documentary "A Most Beautiful Thing" premiered, detailing the life and rowing experiences of Arshay Cooper. This film sparked much discussion within the rowing community, underscoring both the transformative potential of the sport as well as the lack of accessibility in many communities of color.

Soon came discussion of how this issue could be tackled locally in New Haven. Having long been the site of historic Yale crew teams, New Haven still did not have its own youth rowing program. Lawrence Lopez-Menzies (Yale Heavyweight Crew ’14) came to Jim Millar (Yale Heavyweight Crew ’80) with an idea of broadening the availability of rowing to the New Haven community. As the idea began to develop, Mike Hard (Yale Lightweight Crew ’84), Laurie Yousman (Yale Lightweight Crew ’22) and Joyce Nett (Yale Women’s Crew ’79) joined the team. Currently, Laurie, Lawrence, Jim, Mike, and Joyce serve on the board, with Canal Dock Executive Director, Hollis Martens and Canal Dock, Inc’s President, Mitz Carr additionally serving on the Crew Haven Committee.

Our History