ABOUT
CRU offers evening and weekend sweep rowing programs for Master’s rowers from April until October. Our rowing teams provide rigorous workouts to improve rowing technique and conditioning. For those who would like to compete, we will prepare rowers for regatta participation. We also offer free training and waive membership dues for all dedicated coxswains.
Additionally, CRU also offers Learn-to-Row classes in the spring to teach the basics of sweep rowing to adults who would like to learn the sport in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
Finally, we offer a Fall Indoor Training (FIT) and Winter Indoor Training program (WIT) during the off-season for those athletes who would like to continue to train for the on-the-water season.
We do not want cost to prevent anyone from participating in our programs. Just let us know, we have a small scholarship program available for existing members in need of temporary financial support, in return for your dedication, commitment to attendance, and willingness to volunteer for CRU fundraising activities. Scholarships are not available for the Learn to Row program.
PROGRAMS
RECREATION / NOVICE TEAM
The Rec/Novice team is open to anyone with prior rowing experience or who has completed an LTR program. The Club team will train two times a week. The focus is on skill-building, exercise, and the development of a welcoming and inclusive rowing community.
Upon successful completion of the Learn To Row (LTR) program, graduates are qualified to join teams in the Rowing Community.
The price is $120 monthly.
Practice Schedule Monday and Wednesday Evenings 6:45pm-8:45pm, beginning May 1 through October 2024.
CLUB / COMPETITIVE TEAM
The Club team is for experienced members who wish to compete in regattas, and will be paying extra fees. You need to have completed a year of training (spring,summer,fall) as a novice. The Competitive team will train three times a week, Boating placement is determined by performance and coach judgement and is competitive with your teammates. The focus is on preparing for Sprint and Head races, skill-building, exercise, and the development of a welcoming and inclusive rowing community.
The price is $165 monthly (USRowing Membership is a separate but required fee for competition).
Practice Schedule Monday and Wednesday Evenings (6:45pm-8:45pm, and Saturday Mornings, 7:15-9:15am, beginning April 8 through October 2024. (Weekend practice times may vary according to other teams practicing on the river)
COXSWAIN TEAM
We are always looking for coxswains and offer free training. No experience is necessary. Coxswains are so valuable to our rowing club that your membership dues will be waived in appreciation. When you register be sure to select “Coxswain Only”.
Coxswains are needed for every team practice and will be able to select practices from the team calendar. Please reach out to the Operations Chair for more information.
HOW TO REGISTER
iCrew and USRowing
Chicago Rowing Union is an active organizational member of USRowing and follows USRowing policies. We require all members to sign the USRowing Waiver as a condition of getting on the water with us to ensure agreement with our Safe Rowing Policies. You can print and sign this document and bring with you to practice, unless you are already have joined USRowing membership. By the way, if you’d like to participate in regattas with us, you’ll need to obtain a USRowing membership.
When you register with CRU, you’ll find that we use iCREW as our club management program. All registration, online payments, document sharing, and private group communications will take place via iCREW.
All NEW registrants and Learn to Row Participants will need to create an iCREW account during their registration process. If you have prior rowing experience and would like to join our club bypassing the “Learn to Row” program, please contact us and we will send you the registration information after coach approval.
CRU passes the credit card fees back to you when your transaction is processed. You will notice a slight difference between the price and the final amount charged (2.5%). As a nonprofit that runs on a shoestring, this makes a huge difference in our bottom line and we really appreciate your support
