Consortium Crew Consultants
Michael Charley "Performancearchitect"
Executive Bio
Michael Charley coined himself as a “performancearchitect” in the 90’s as in engaging in: conception, research, design, development, promotion, operation and collaboration to bring to fruition 2 unique, safe wellness/fitness amenities to New York City’s largest wellness/fitness spaces; the parks and bodies of water that interlace the city.
1) The first program, under the auspices of the Prospect Park Alliance, was “The Nubia Sculling Crew”, offering sculling training on the Vaux Olmsted masterpiece, the Prospect Park Lake and the adjoining Lullwater Lagoon and landmarked Boathouse. Training was performed in the Nubia, a 34 foot sculling quad inspired by ancient Egyptian design. This work in non-digital “performancearchitecture” is the expression and melding of Charley’s passions in dance/movement and urban design/infrastructure as well as the urbanology of William Whyte. To wit as Whyte wrote the “Social Life of Small Urban Spaces” Charley has sought to apply Whyte’s concepts to the social wellness/fitness life of huge urban spaces.
2) The second program, under the auspices of the Empire State Rowing Association was along the Hudson River at the 79th Boat Basin, Riverside Park, Manhattan. This program was the first public open-water sculling program in New York City and was cited as a replicable model by the Manhattan Borough President’s Comprehensive Waterfront Plan.
“My mission is to scale urban rowing by developing the world’s first rigorous, safety-first Waterfront Boat Share program. Just as bike-sharing revolutionized green-space transit, this initiative transforms ‘Blue Spaces’ into scalable social infrastructure. I am seeking to collaborate with major real estate developers to integrate standardized, safe aquatic recreation into large-scale urban wellness communities.”
“Inspiring Current Proof of Concept”
The Samson is the LOMOcean-designed trimaran built for András Bakos’s New York–to–Paris transatlantic rowing expedition (project lead András Bakos with New Zealand-based partner Erik Harrewijn). This the work of others and not Michael Charley.
“Inspiring Current and Historical Proof of Concept”
Gloriana Achievers’ Day: This event was a rowing competition held on the River Thames, featuring winning crews from various institutions like the Harris Federation. It celebrated achievements in teamwork and physical skill. This work is the work of others and not Michael Charley.
Empire State Rowing Association (ESRA) is now defunct.
