Previn Chandraratna
Head Coach and Program Director
Row New York
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Since 2003, Previn Chandraratna has served as head coach and program director for the non-profit organization Row New York. The group was founded with a mission to build young girls’ academic and athletic strengths through the sport of rowing.
Row New York participants practice six days a week on Meadow Lake in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and participate in indoor competitions and regattas throughout the Northeast. In addition to the physical exercise students get from rowing, instructors are on hand to help students with extra academic assistance, emphasizing college planning sessions and support. Row New York also hosts clinics for the less serious rowers throughout the year.
PERSONAL: Prior to coming to Row New York, Chandraratna spent four years coaching the freshman heavyweight rowers at Columbia University and two years coaching at Community Rowing in Newton, MA. Chandraratna’s interest in rowing did not start until he walked onto Columbia University’s crew team as a freshman. He continued rowing throughout his college career and became captain of the team as a senior.
FAVORITE MEMORY: Instead of the team’s recent bronze medal finish at the state championships, Chandraratna recalled one of the team’s first races - about a month after its formation - at the Long Island Championships. Competing against prep schools and teams with much more experience, the Row New York team left the other boats in the distance as it cruised to victory. “Everyone on our boat was crying,” Chandraratna said. “They were tears of joy.”
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: Chandraratna said that Row New York is not a typical rowing organization. Since the sport is expensive to participate in, “It’s a challenge to offer it for free, but by doing so we provide a lot more access to high school girls,” he said.
INSPIRATION: “Simply working with the girls, seeing them enjoy themselves and seeing them get inspired…that ends up inspiring me,” Chandraratna said. “They constantly do things every season that inspire me.”
GOALS: “We really want to expand our relationships with middle schools in the Queens area and Flushing area that surround the lake,” Chandraratna said. Currently, Row New York has partnerships with 13 high schools and four middle schools, and Chandraratna believes that as more girls participate in the program, the team’s competitiveness will also increase.
- Pete Davis
