July 6, 2022 Newsletter
We hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!
Sessions are up-to-date and seats are ready to be filled. We have added another coach to our wonderful coaching team. Tom Weber has started coaching at GLYC on Glen Lake and will be adding special sessions and filling in at Solon, too.
Glen Lake schedule
Novice Rows: Monday, Friday 8:45am
Experienced Rows: Monday, Friday 7:15am
Skills and Drills- All Levels: Wednesday 7:15am
Open PM Rows: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 7pm
Solon Township Park schedule
Novice Rows: Monday 5:45 PM (8+), Friday 6:45 AM (8+)
Open Morning Rows- All levels: Sunday 7:45 AM (8+, 4x)
In the Calendar view for Sessions, you can filter to see open rows by location on the calendar. We have many options based on experience as well as events and team boats. The schedule may change based on participation.
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iCrew
We are now fully utilizing iCrew for programming. While there still may be some kinks to iron out, it is getting smoother (Thanks Mindy!!). Members are able to check-in for a row on their mobile device once they arrive at the location using the iCrew app. Coaches will be making sure everyone is checked in properly as the check-in debits member punches. Please bring your phone to rows to get help if needed while we all continue to learn this app.
Attendance = Check In = Punches debited
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WhatsApp Messaging
Every current member is invited to join the NMRC WhatsApp Chat that is linked with iCrew.
Click the link to join WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/J7DbiBRYxOx1iOMMvlR9jb
We haven’t fully started utilizing WhatsApp yet, but it is an efficient way for the club to share events and updates quickly without clogging your email inbox. Team Boat Captains can set up their own WhatsApp chat; contact your Location Coordinator if you have questions or need help setting it up.
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Subbing on Team Boats
We manage rows via punchcards for all rowing— even when subbing on Team Boats. A row equals a row on iCrew, whether you are a sub for a boat or not. If you are asked to sub, financial arrangements (who pays for the row) can be made between the two members (the person asking you to sub may elect to cover your cost to fill the seat) but without NMRC participation or management. Thanks so much for understanding.
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New Location Coordinator for Glen Lake
Diane Hamilton has offered to help facilitate the Glen Lake Yacht Club location. She is Glen Lake’s go-to person. Please contact her for help if needed. Thanks, Diane!
The Solon Township Park Location Coordinators are Susan O’Connor and Mindy Hawley.
Location Coordinators are responsible for making sure each location is up to par on safety equipment, they liaise with location owners (Solon Township and Glen Lake Yacht Club), coordinate communications with the club, and make sure you have a good rowing experience.
Please utilize them to make your experience as an NMRC member the best it can possibly be.
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Board Openings
We have openings we’d like to fill, and per our club by-laws, any member can self-nominate or nominate another to be appointed to the board. The demands and time commitment vary during the year. Ultimately, we do need active board members to help facilitate the committees and the operations of the club. Please send any inquiries or nominations to: members@nothernmichiganrowing.club. Please include a few sentences about the nomination for the board to evaluate.
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Upcoming Coxing Clinic
Saturday, July 16
9:00-11:00 AM
Solon Township Park
8215 S. Lake Shore Dr. Cedar
This event is free to our members. If you’re curious about what is involved in coxing, please attend this informational clinic which will provide you with a basic understanding of what it takes to cox a sweep boat. Coach Sue Parvin will be leading this clinic. Please RSVP to: kdbroach@yahoo.com or sign up using iCrew.
What to expect when you show up for a session
Glen Lake Yacht Club Location:
Before the row: Please try to arrive down at the water at the Glen Lake Yacht Club at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled start. When you arrive, please use the iCrew app to check yourself in under Today’s session. Your Location on your phone will need to be turned on for this feature to work. Assist with getting boats and oars to the water. Make sure you have everything you need for your row (socks, water bottle, hat, sunglasses, etc.) Follow any directions from the coach and alert them to any physical issues or injuries you might be having that day.
After your row: Empty any of your belongings out of the boat, wash the oar handles and put the oars away, and assist with washing boats, putting them on racks, and strapping them down. Assist the coach with securing the launch and unloading and storing any supplies.
At all times: Please be aware of our neighbors and keep noise to a minimum, especially before 8 am and after 8 pm
Solon Township Park on Lake Leelanau Location:
Before the row: Do your best to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled row time. So, if you’re scheduled to row at 6:00, try to arrive by 5:45. Park along the far fence-line so we leave room for park visitors to park up close. When you arrive, please use the iCrew app to check yourself in under Today’s session. Your Location on your phone will need to be turned on for this feature to work. Coaches and captains of team boats need to ensure everyone is checked in. Take the oars down to the water or place them in the launch, assist the coach with getting the launch boat in the water, and then begin your warm-up. If you have a scheduled cox for the evening, he/she will lead you in the warm-up. If there is no scheduled cox, the boat captain will lead you in the warm-up. The warm-up should consist of some basic stretching and vigorous walking/running/jumping jacks to get your heart rate up. This will do a lot to prevent injuries on the water. Follow any directions from the coach and alert them to any physical issues or injuries you might be having that day.
After the row: Make sure to bring your oars back to the oar house, dip the oar handles in the orange bleach water bucket and place them on the oar rack. Oars are placed in pairs with blades at opposite ends. Check for anything left behind at the water- water bottles, shoes, slings, etc.… and return it to the oar house. Please help keep the park clean by picking up any pieces of trash around the park. It is not required, but often rowers like to stay after the row and socialize for a bit. This is a nice time to get to know each other, talk about the row, and just enjoy each other’s company… Again, this is not a requirement, but everyone is certainly invited to remain after the row for some social time. Rowers should bring their own chairs and beverage. Also, remember to plug in the cox box so it is ready for the following day. The last person to leave needs to make sure everything is locked up properly.
At all times: Please be aware of our neighbors and keep noise to a minimum, especially before 8 am and after 8 pm.
Note: These protocols may be amended as the season progresses and NMRC evolves.
NMRC would like to thank all of you for your participation, support, and encouragement as we grow our club. We appreciate all of the new rowers who have joined our club, and we love watching you as you learn about this amazing sport. All of us were new rowers at one point, and we remember how hard it was when we were starting out. You are doing great! Each row will get a little bit easier, we promise! We also really appreciate the flexibility our experienced rowers have shown being willing to jump in different boats at a moment’s notice in order to assist a new rower. Thank you for supporting one another! See you on the water.
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
Northen Michigan Rowing
P.O. Box 721
Traverse City, MI 49685
USA