It was Heroes Row the Harlem, the first annual crew race between NYC’s finest: NYPD vs. FDNY. The event was hosted by the non-profit Row New York, which teaches underprivileged kids to row competitively, in partnership with the festival and one of my favorite fitness studios Row House.

After the race (P.S. my firemen smoked the cops!), we got in on the action, hopping aboard a training barge docked at Peter J. Sharp Boathouse, Row New York’s home base in the Harlem River, with a coach who taught us the ABCs of crew in just over an hour. It’s MUCH more complicated on the water than on an erg and a different experience, altogether.

When the yachts cruised by at high speeds, we were suddenly drenched in their wake and for me, there was no escape–I got the worst of it.

So, I was happy to be in Sperry H2O Escape sneakers. As our coach said, “It IS a water sport.” Ships ahoy!

Sneakers provided by Sperry; all thoughts/assessments are my own.

Want to pitch a tent and sleep under the stars in Brooklyn?  Or, learn how to surf in the Rockaways?  And, did you know that Staten Island is NYC’s greenest borough? Take a hike at Wolfe’s Pond Park where birds, wildflowers and mushrooms abound.

June 4th is National Running Day and to celebrate one of my favorite sports, I’ll be leading a 5-mile loop of Hudson River Park with pro runner Eliud “Heldy” Ngetich. He grew up running through the mountains of Kenya, traveling distances of up to 150 miles as the family’s messenger. His story is unsettling and amazing, and, I’m humbled to partner with such an accomplished athlete and Olympic hopeful.  After the run, we’ll gather at Tent & Trails downtown to re-fuel and talk more with Eliud.  Register here.

In New York, there are lots of opinions about everything, from politics to polenta. But, one thing is for sure: OutdoorFest will be the most rockin’ way to kick off summer in the city. See you there!