RowAmericaRye begins its second fall season under new leadership.

By Melanie Cane

RowAmericaRye begins its second fall season under new leadership. The new director, Marko Serafimovski, is also the Girls’ head coach. The new Boys’ coach is Aleksandar Radovic. Prior to coming to Rye, Serafimovski was head coach and team coordinator for junior women’s rowing at Greenwich Crew for five years. Radovic, who won the Intercollegiate Rowing Association National Championship regatta in 2013 when he was a senior at Drexel University, coached with Serafimovski at Greenwich last year. The two men grew up rowing together in Serbia and both rowed for the Serbian National team.  

When they took over the program last month, several Greenwich rowers followed them, including senior twin sisters who rowed with the British National Team. The Varsity team is comprised of five girls and seven boys. Three of the rowers are from Rye: Fiona Aronson attends Holy Child; Leon Chambers and Caitlin Cornacchia are students at Rye High.   

Serafimovski said his short-term goal is to double the number of juniors to 50 (25 girls, 25 boys) across all levels, from novice to advanced, and to recruit more adults. Adults of all ages and skill level are encouraged to join. “Rowing is beneficial to life and health and is much more than just a sport,” he said. “It teaches discipline, focus and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Being out on the water and rowing is extremely therapeutic. It involves every part of your body and mind.”

The adult program is gradually expanding with parents of rowers and adults who rowed in college. The program runs throughout the year, with the winter session indoors.   

RowAmerica’s long-term plan is to create one of the most competitive junior teams in the Northeast, and to bring adults up to a level where they can compete. Their first competition is the Head of the Riverfront Regatta in Hartford on October 5.