By JANE WATERHOUSE
Staff Writer
JERRY WOLKOWITZ Kay Vilardi, president of the Navesink River Rowing Club, stands amid boats housed at the organization’s current Maple Avenue home.
RED BANK — Kay Vilardi, president of Navesink River Rowing, just doesn’t get it.
She knows for a fact that hundreds of youngsters living in this borough by the river have never had access to its scenic waterways. She works with a group of dedicated professionals who want nothing more than to share their passion for rowing with these kids, and with the public at large. She has dozens of students from high schools, such as Rumson-Fair Haven, lined up, wanting to volunteer their time to her organization.
And each morning, out in her scull, she’s surrounded by the greatest resource of all — the dazzling beauty of the Navesink River.
In Vilardi’s mind, there couldn’t be a more perfect setting for NRR — a nonprofit organization, now in its 19th year of operation, that promotes the sports of sculling and sweep rowing.
There’s only one thing wrong with this picture — on Nov. 1, Navesink River Rowing will be without a home.
"For the past three seasons, through the generosity of Ara Hovnanian and Hovnanian Enterprises, we’ve been able to operate from the docks at the end of Maple Avenue," Vilardi said. "But the site is slated for development in 2003. So as of now we don’t have anywhere to row from for next season — let alone a permanent home to call our own."
Although there has been talk of moving the rowing organization into a temporary bay while the permit process is progressing, or possibly setting up shop on the nearby Salvation Army property, the clock is ticking and no plans have been finalized.
"People keep saying that somebody has to do something, but so far no one has," said Vilardi, adding that Mayor Edward J. McKenna Jr. told the group that the River Access team was attempting to locate an area for a municipal boat launch and marina, but "no funds had been released yet."
Still, Vilardi remains optimistic. "I believe in the kindness of strangers and in the value of what we’re doing," she said. "We are an entirely volunteer organization. No one is paid to keep our books, answer phones, fix our boats or coordinate our programs. We hire a few paid coaches every year, and we’re blessed with volunteers who have rowed at Yale and some of the best colleges, who know how to talk to kids and are passionate about these sports."
Vilardi sees a possible connection with Riverview Medical Center. "You read daily reports about obesity in America," she said. "Rowing is a great antidote for inactivity. Our members range in age from 14 to over 80 years old."
The rowers can be seen on the Navesink River from early morning until the sun goes down, weather permitting.
"An amazing thing happens when you get out on the river," Vilardi said. "It’s great for body, mind and soul. Not only can rowing open up doors for young people in terms of college scholarships, it’s a lot of fun and environmentally friendly."
Vilardi’s enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. "One of our young volunteers came up to me the other day on the verge of tears, saying, ‘I can’t believe we don’t have a home for next year,’ " Vilardi recounted. "But I told her, it’s a big river, and it serves a lot of communities, so don’t count us out yet."
For more information on Navesink River Rowing, visit its Web site at www.navesinkriverrowing.org, or call (732) 758-6266.