The RIT crew team rows on the Genesee River.  Also know as “the mighty Genesee”, the river flows 160 miles north from northern Pennsylvania, through Rochester, and into Lake Ontario.  Derived from the Iroquoian word meaning “beautiful valley”, the Genesee flows through a 17-mile long gorge in Portageville.  Termed the “Grand Canyon of the East” this gorge contains three separate waterfalls and is known worldwide for its beauty.  As the river flows through Rochester, it also goes down 3 waterfalls in the city.  Recently, the river has become alive with activity, as it has been revitalized with the city.  Rochestarians can enjoy the river through the Genesee Riverway Trail and Genesee Valley Park, which is located at the intersection of the river with the Erie canal.

For most of the year, the river stays relatively calm, with a slight current running from south to north.  It is relatively wide and makes for perfect water to practice on.  However, from the late fall through the early spring, the river current picks up quite a bit due to the snow run off.  Many times, it will take more than twice the time to come back to the dock than it did going down river.