Great Performances was proud to sponsor Rocking the Boat’s first Hunts Point Youth Regatta, bringing young sailors together for a day of racing on the Bronx River. GP’s Stephanie Nino joined the event to cheer on the sailors representing Great Performances and get a closer look at the work Rocking the Boat is doing in our South Bronx community.
“It felt really welcoming,” Stephanie says. “There was a lot of energy around the event, and everyone was excited for the races. You could tell the students were really proud to be there and that the staff and everyone around them were really supportive.”
Twenty-eight sailors competed in 10 races over four hours, navigating shifting winds while following a professional race format. Stephanie watched from a spectator boat alongside Rocking the Boat CEO Adam Green and Marine Operations Assistant Bryant Jara.
More Than Sailing
Bryant kept Stephanie updated throughout the races, answering her questions and sharing more about Rocking the Boat’s programs and mission. In the process, she learned that his own history with the organization began when he was just 15.
“What really stood out to me was that he started with Rocking the Boat when he was 15 and never really left,” Stephanie says. “He went from being a student in the program to coming back and working there as a Marine Operations Assistant. I thought that was really cool because it showed how much of an impact the program had on him. He found something he enjoyed, built skills through it, and eventually came back to help the next group of students.”
The conversation also gave Stephanie a different understanding of the organization itself.
“I honestly didn’t realize how much they do. I knew about the sailing, but I didn’t know how much of it was connected to the Bronx River, environmental work, and teaching the students different skills. It’s a lot more than just sailing.”
Rooting for Team GP
Representing Great Performances on the water were youth sailors Jaylene Colon and Zarius Cortes.
“I was definitely rooting for them,” Stephanie says. “It was also a unique experience being that close to the race. I tried to put myself in their space and imagine everything they had to keep track of. There are so many moving parts, and you can really see how important communication, trust, and teamwork are. It was cool watching them work together and put everything they’ve learned into practice.”
After the racing ended, Stephanie had a chance to talk with Jaylene and Zarius and tell them a little about Great Performances and her own role at the company.
“They were interested in hearing about the events side of things and what happens behind the scenes,” she says. “We didn’t have too much time to chat since there were awards and networking activities they had to get to, but it was nice getting a chance to talk with them and hear a little about their experience.”
And because no event with GP is complete without food, Great Performances provided lunch for the day, with a selection of sandwiches including turkey and cheddar, grilled chimichurri flank steak, eggplant Parmesan, buffalo chicken, grilled portobello with hummus, and more.
Stephanie conducted some unofficial market research.
“People were definitely happy about the sandwiches. I know because I made sure to ask a few people,” she says. “From what I could see, the sandwiches were going pretty quickly, and I saw some people grabbing more than one serving, so I’d say they were definitely a hit.”
Showing Up in Our Community
For Stephanie, the day also brought home what it means for Great Performances to support an organization located in the community we share.
“It was really cool to see GP supporting an organization right here in the Bronx,” she says. “Being there made me appreciate the partnership more because I got to actually see the organization and the students instead of just hearing about it.”
And that physical presence mattered.
“The effort that goes into organizing an event like this is about more than just providing a donation,” Stephanie says. “It’s also about showing up, supporting the students, and taking the time to see what they’re doing and what they’re accomplishing.”
For Stephanie, being there made the partnership more tangible. “I got to actually see the organization and the students instead of just hearing about it. It made me appreciate the partnership more.”
