City Island Rowing

Hello, I am Dayanara Siddiqui - better known as Daya, and before I start I just want to say, THANK YOU for your support it means the world to me - and my teammates!

This is my first winter season at City Island Rowing. I joined the team as a sophomore in spring 2022 and honestly... I wish I joined earlier! City Island Rowing is a high performance team that offers intense but rewarding training and multiple opportunities for all the girls. As soon as I joined, I fell in love with the team's positive atmosphere, cohesiveness, determination, and every girl's love for the sport. Rowing has always had a special place in my heart. I started my journey as a 10 year old "rowing" in an inflatable raft on Lake George. This became something that I instantly looked forward to so much so that I ended up begging my mom to sign me up for learn to row lessons. After rowing for 6 years I look back and see the positive affects the sport has had on me. Rowing has taught me accountability, determination, sacrifice, teamwork, and grit. I am proud to say that rowing has truly made me the person that I am today. To help you further understand why I love this sport and our team so much, please enjoy this video by 20/21 Team captain, Sydney Tuck.

On Sunday March 5th we will hold our annual capital equipment fundraiser, to pay for all the equipment that we use... which in our sport is typically made of hand-laid carbon fiber and is very expensive. This year is an especially important fundraiser as proceeds will fund the purchase of the most stunning racing shell specifically designed for high school girls, available in the world ~ Hudson USP 8.12

The innovative and groundbreaking Hudson USP series racing shells are made in Canada and are quickly replacing Empachers at the fastest women's collegiate programs across the country. The "USP" (Ultra Super Predator) marque is Hudson's Flagship model, in their premium "Shark" line-up. A more detailed description of the shell we have ordered can be found on our website.

There is no question that this stunning shell, made possible by your generous support, will help us achieve our goals this coming Spring Championship season, and for a decade to come!

Each athlete who raises at least $1000 earns the right to have their name featured prominently in our gorgeous new racing shell... the top 8 fundraisers will have their names right on the seats! With your help, I can be one of those girls!!

My teammates and I will be investing our sweat equity! On Sunday we will complete a grueling 90-minute endurance piece on the indoor rowing machine ("the erg"). It will be mentally and physically exhausting, but it's for such a great cause, and I will have all of my supporters in mind to keep me motivated.

Thank you again for your support... especially if you have supported me before!

Please note that City Island Rowing is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and 100% of your donation is fully tax-deductible.