June 18, 2023 Newsletter
Hello NMRC!
Join us and tell your friends! Our next Learn to Row is Sunday, July 25th from 9-1pm. Sign up for the Learn to Row with this link by getting an iCrew account and toggling yourself as attending the event. If the 25th doesnt work for your schedule, please let us know when you are available for a L2R. We have lots of rowing opportunities and we love sharing this sport with the community. Karen Broach is the L2R coordinator and can be emailed at karendbbss@gmail.com. Our season is just picking up steam and we’d love to have you join us.
L2R Volunteers Needed - Thank you to our members who have already volunteered. Earn credit toward your NMRC volunteer obligation and make our Learn to Rows the best they can be. A volunteer session has been created in iCrew and will automatically credit you for volunteer hours. Toggle in!
New Gear Options!! - It’s time to gear up for summer! Our website now offers two types of NMRC merchandise: “In-Stock Gear”, and “Made to Order”. The new “Made to Order” section features visors, coffee mugs, a couple of sweatshirts, and other fun options. Diane H says the pullover hoodie is SO COZY! To help you gear up, save 20% on all In-Stock Gear between now and July 4 with the code INSTOCK20.
Show your NMRC Pride with some logo gear!
iCrew Basics
Questions we’ve been getting:
1. How do I get into a session?
3 ways: Session Calendar, Sessions (with the bullhorn icon), Your Attendance Plans
Click into a session and toggle the ‘attending’ button to the right. Your Attendance Plans is the easiest route.
Sessions have been selected to maximize both locations by alternating sessions at each location. Every member can row at both locations
2. Are the open session rows only for new rowers?
Absolutely not. The open rows are for every member of the club. You have purchased an unlimited rowing membership and it is up to you to get the most out of it. And the quicker new rowers increase their skills by rowing as much as they can, the better. Same goes for experienced rowers. The beginning of the season is humbling to say the least.
3. How do I know if there are enough rowers for a boat to go out?
Location coordinators work to make sure there are enough rowers to take the boats out at Lake Leelanau and enough rowers to justify a coach at Glen Lake (only requires 2). If there aren’t enough rowers, you will get a cancellation email through iCrew if you have signed up for a session. Sometimes that happens the night before and sometimes we try to find a rower to fill an empty seat until the final hour so everyone who wants to row, gets to. Honestly, this is the most time consuming part of the management of the club. We want everyone to row and row as often as they can. It makes for stronger and more skilled rowers.
4. How do I know if a row is cancelled do to wind or weather?
Same as above. The coaches or location coordinators will cancel the row through iCrew and the members who have signed up will get an email. It means you need to check your email before leaving for the club locations. We will try to cancel no later than an hour out to make sure no one is leaving for a location. There will be times that we will not know until we evaluate the water conditions when the coach arrives. What looks marginal on an app may be just fine to row. We will always side on rowing through the elements because we are capable versus cancelling prematurely.
5. I’m new and I don’t want to let anyone down. What do I do?
Every experienced rower was new once. Rowing is challenging and that is what makes it great. Listen, ask for help and row as often as possible. It absolutely makes a difference. Focus on form. You will get it. We all did. The great thing about rowing is you can’t think about all your other responsibilities when you are doing it. You take direction and focus on form. The strength will come. Ask an experienced rower their early rowing experiences, you will get an earful, because every rower LOVES to talk about rowing. Plan for lengthy stories…
6. iCrew is challenging for me, help?
iCrew was developed by a rower clearly wanting a rowing specific platform. It isn’t fancy but it is robust. So robust it takes time to figure out how to use it. There are tutorials that were sent when you signed up and in the help section. I highly recommend watching them. I also recommend playing around with it. I think the biggest challenge is knowing where everything is. Session calendar and sessions with the bullhorn are in two different places. Mindy, your iCrew guru, by default…knows how challenging it is to find the view of something you found useful the second time. It takes time to get to know it. Mindy is always willing to walk you through it. Message her at mindy@northernmichiganrowing.club to schedule a time to talk.
7. Subbing. I said I would sub but I don’t think I can now.
When you accept a subbing seat, it’s your seat now. It is up to you to find a sub for yourself not the person who asked you originally.
To Find Subs:
Utilize the Club Roster. Members are listed there along with their phone and email. Put members in your contacts on your phone to readily be able to message. Make sure to text rowers you’ve previously asked to sub back asap if you find someone to fill your seat. Sometimes rowers have to make plans to be able to accept a sub seat. It is a courtesy to others.
8. I want to form a team, how do I do that?
Teams are basically organized boats that commit to row at the same time every week.There needs to be a Captain to organize the boat. We also have a $50/per rower fee to secure your seat on the boat. A rower only needs to pay this fee once per season.
Contact Mindy Hawley to form a team: mindy@northernmichiganrowing.club.
Novices want to form a team? We would love to connect you. Give Mindy a ring or send an email.
2023 Feel The Run Fundraiser
$30,000 Goal
Current total raised: $6,600
Thank you, donors!!!
If you are in a financial position to support NMRC with a donation today, please click the button below. We thank you for considering this.
Craftsbury, Vermont May 2024 - Have you ever dreamed of heading off to summer camp for grown-ups? If so, here’s your opportunity. Join other NMRC members at a Craftsbury sculling camp next spring. The camps are open to rowers of all levels and feature small group coaching, amazing food, and a fun atmosphere. If you register for the May 12-17, 2024 session, you will get 10% off as an NMRC member since we have more than six club members going. https://www.craftsbury.com/sculling/camps/2024-camp-schedule-registration
Quick Links:
2023 Member Programs:
Click this link to view the programs available.
Business Sponsorships:
Our business sponsorship program is outlined on our website under the Support NMRC tab or this link.
Please reach out to any businesses that you think might be interested in sponsorships!
Corporate Rowing Program:
Great for team building, as a staff benefit, or as a fitness challenge for your company. Details are at this link.
Summary Upcoming Dates:
June 25th Learn to row at Lake Leelanau
July 20-23, US Rowing Masters Nationals in Indianapolis.