• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
gallery
August 8, 2017

Jack Schlossberg Completes Crazy Trip Around Manhattan for Charity

By Jack Schlossberg

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin It
Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki

Jack Schlossberg, matriculating Harvard Law student and Caroline Kennedy Met Gala date (he’s also her son), recently made his way around Manhattan on a stand-up paddleboard. Why? He explains below.

With beet juice pulsing through my veins and electrolytes and Gu packs strapped to my back, I took to the East River to begin the Sea Paddle, a 25-mile circumnavigation race around Manhattan. The event itself raises money for charities involved in environmental and autism advocacy work. To fundraise, I offered friends and family a deal: Sponsor me, and I’ll write whatever you want on my shirt. I wouldn’t dare reprint their many slogans in this esteemed publication.

The race began underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, but before the whistle blew, I accidentally fell in the river trying to make some adjustments to my board. It’s true what they say: Nothing tastes quite like the East River.

I signed up for the race because I thought it sounded cool. “Paddle around Manhattan? Sweet, man! How hard could it be?” Of course, when I asked around, everyone said it was really hard and that I’d better start training.

I was whipped into shape by a group that I met through Manhattan Kayak Company, a boathouse located on 44th and 12th Avenue, which offers board storage and lessons in stand-up paddle, kayak, and canoe. I’ve lived on Manhattan my entire life, but it wasn’t until I found MKC this spring that I ever got out on the rivers that surround it.

To train for the Sea Paddle, I spent a lot of time on the Hudson trying desperately to catch up to three women half my height and weight — but I never came close. In fact, I spent the entire race on Saturday watching them get farther and farther ahead of me — this, a familiar feeling for a younger brother of two older sisters.

I can’t remember very much from the race day. The coffee, adrenaline, exhaustion, and Elvis hits blasting in my ears must have inhibited memory formation. It took me just under five hours, and I came in eighth in my division.

View
1 / 14 Photos
The moment I realized I was really going to do this. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
I had enough electrolytes to keep a family of nine hydrated for a year. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
It was cleaner than it looks, but not really. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
Hoping no one saw me fall. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
Didn’t realize how many insane people live in New York. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
“A little less conversation, a little more action.” Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
About to need some more Gu. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
A beautiful day for a boat ride. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
Who stole my shirt? Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
Powered by beet juice. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
"Otsukaresama deshita!" (That's Japanese for, roughly, "Thank you for all your hard work!") Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
Secretly wondering how many bagels I can fit in my mouth once this picture is taken. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
"Mom, you’re a beautiful woman, and did you bring the bagels?" Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
I sure do love ‘em. Photo: Andres Kudacki/Andres Kudacki
1 / 14

Tags:

  • interviews
  • jack schlossberg
  • slideshows
  • gallery

More Galleries

campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 10, 2020
A Zoom Wedding Only Two Digital Creatives Could Produce  The couple coordinated multiple video segments, breakout rooms, and a dance party. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 3, 2020
The Anti-Spectacle Wedding That Turned Into a Spectacle  Brooklyn Bridge Park was the site of their first date, proposal, and wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.