Northern Michigan Rowing Club June 8, 2022
Hello Rowers,
So much is happening and it’s all awesome! We are close to launching a scheduling app for all NMRC members! iCrew will be downloadable to your smartphone and will become a living, breathing, 'live' asset for NMRC. We will send out a separate email to members letting you know when we go LIVE on iCrew soon! Thank you for your continued patience.
Pull Together Campaign: We are so happy to announce we succeeded in fundraising and getting the full $10,000 match. Thank you to everyone who donated and fundraised on our Club’s behalf. We couldn’t have done it without you! We are able to fundraise throughout the year and have many opportunities for business sponsorships.
Learn to Rows:
Recap of the National Learn to Row event on 6/4- We had a great turnout with 9 new rowers participating and many volunteers making it a wonderful, low-stress event. Karen Broach put together a thorough program for us to follow with no detail left out. Thank you to everyone who contributed and spent their morning with us.
Next Learn to Row- We have a learn to row event set for Saturday June 18th, 9am-12:30pm Please contact Karen at kdbroach@yahoo.com. Spaces are limited. We are trying to get current members needing their learn to rows scheduled as soon as we can. Once we have the class filled, we will have a waitlist in case there are cancellations. Learn to rows cost $50 for the class which can be applied toward your annual membership.
Learn to Cox: Sue Parvin is planning a coxswain clinic for members which will be announced in an upcoming newsletter. Being a member run club means taking on multiple seats and roles within the boat. Coxing is a great way to experience rowing. We are hoping we’ll have most members able to get in the coxing seat during the season with the solid foundation Sue will be teaching.
Solon Township Update:
Boats are forming and rowing has begun at Solon Township Park. All four boats at the South Lake Leelanau site have been rigged and tested. Three teams have gone out for sessions. They have reported back helpful feedback to make the experience smoother and safer.
We have also made significant improvements to the Solon site to protect our boats and equipment including solar power to the Oar House and security
cameras. A work bee will be announced soon to help install security fencing around the boat yard. (A volunteer opportunity for members!)
Water shoes with decent soles are necessary to get the boats in and out of the water. It is very rocky down the park drive where we launch the boat and there isnt time to take off shoes before loading into the water. Shoes that can go in the water and stay with you on the boat are required. Along with that, a plastic or covered metal water bottle is necessary to not damage the inside hull of the boat. Thank you!
Solon Township Location Coordinators:
Mindy Hawley (231) 714-7457 and Susan O’Connor (231) 218-0774
Glen Lake Yacht Club Update:
Due to circumstances beyond our control at the Glen Arbor Yacht Club dock, we have delayed the start of the GLYC location until at least June 15th. Remember that if you are a member at NMRC, you can row at either location so please don't be shy!
Watch for upcoming “rigging parties” at the GLYC location. This will be another great way to help reach your annual volunteer hours. Dates and times for rigging at GLYC will be published shortly. Everyone is invited and encouraged to come help get NMRC’s singles and doubles rigged!
Glen Lake Location Coordinator: Cam Lamphier (415) 265-5615
Coaching Update:
Welcome to our new coach Sue Parvin! Sue has several years coaching
masters at TACR. She also coached juniors to the Head of the Charles and they placed 6th and 7th out of nearly 50 boats. Sue also coached a boat that WON Junior Nationals.
Sue and Joe are both scheduled to help NMRC masters get on the water and thrive. This week (June 7-12) Joe Carter coached Tuesday PM with Sue Parvin and Ashley Hollands trained in the safety launch. On Wednesday and Thursday PM Sue will coach and Ashley will shadow Sue. Joe will back-up Sue for both sessions. Joe is confirmed for Friday AM coaching. Thank you to our coaches for keeping us safe, making us faster, fitter, and more cohesive teams!
Handy Randy:
Finally, when you row at Solon, you will meet Randy, a neighbor. Randy drives a Kabota so be sure to say "Hello" when you see him. He lives in the second house from the road and has been incredibly helpful as NMRC has been settling into the Solon Township Park site. He is the volunteer eyes and ears for the Solon Township Parks department.
Becoming a Member:
All novice rowers who have paid their membership fees should contact the Location Coordinators to help you facilitate getting into boats after your completion of your learn to row or to answer any questions you might have.
How to Join?
1) Join NMRC via the Membership link on NorthernMichiganRowing.club
2) Once you join, create an account by clicking the Login link in the upper right-hand corner. Your account gives you access to the Members Area of our website and to one more important task!
3) Complete the member survey located in the Members Area accessed via a link on the top of our homepage. The survey information is critical for
organizing boats and launch times.
4) Join US Rowing. A basic annual membership costs $15. When you join, indicate your membership with NMRC. NMRC’s US Rowing ID code is RPXXV.
5) Sign the on-line US Rowing Waiver.
6) Complete the mandatory US Rowing SafeSport Training for Adult
Athletes video and questionnaire. Note that there are several SafeSport
videos on the US Rowing website. Do the course called SafeSport Training for Adult Athletes. This takes about thirty minutes and is very straightforward.
7) Additional paperwork: iCrew will have additional waivers and paperwork that can be signed digitally.
Newsletter Content:
If you have any information, a positive comment or shout out you’d like to see in the newsletter, please contact Elizabeth Roth at elizabeth@lakefamilies.com and she’ll possibly include it.
Thank you for your enthusiasm and continued patience,
The NMRC Board
row@northernmichiganrowing.club
Board Members:
Melissa Dow (President)
Cheryl Myers (Vice President)
Wendy Whiteside (Treasurer)
Cam Lamphier (Secretary)
Susan O’Connor (Member)
Mindy Hawley (Member)
Karen Broach (Member)
NMRC’s mission is to promote and provide recreational and competitive rowing opportunities and instruction to people of all ages, income levels, and physical abilities throughout Northern Michigan. If you or someone you know are interested in rowing but feel your income or physical ability may get in the way, please reach out to members@northernmichiganrowing.club