June 15, 2026
NMRC in Full Swing!
Wow, what an amazing start to the season we are having with so many returning & new members rowing, volunteering, learn to row and summer like weather!
Morning Open Rows at Lake Leelanau
By member request, all three morning rows at Lake Leelanau are now Open Rows!
Individual members may toggle in at least 12 hours in advance and show up ready to row. Coaches will assign all rowers to various sculling boats based on skill level, number of rowers, and weather. Like our sweep open rows, this is a great opportunity to row with and get to know your fellow NMRC members.
Tuesday Open Sculling - 7:00am-9:00am - Intermediate* and above
Wednesday Open Sculling - 7:00am-9:00am - Novice+* and above
Thursday Open Sculling - 7:00am-9:00am - Intermediate* and above
*Skill level designations are determined by the coaching staff. If you are not sure where your skill level fits in the above schedule, check with Coach Joe or Coach Sue.
National Learn To Row Day - Saturday, June 6th
Our first Learn To Row of the season was a big success! We had excellent weather, enthusiastic participants and helpful volunteers. Everyone had a chance to get on an erg on dry land and learn about optimum rowing form.
They learned about carrying an 8-seat sweep boat (about 250 lbs) safely to and from the water. Best of all, they all got on the water and rowed.
We look forward to welcoming many of the participants into one of our upcoming Novice programs.
National Learn to Row Day is one of NMRC’s best ways to introduce people to rowing and recruit to our club! If you know someone who is interested in learning to row, but missed this event, please pass along this newsletter or share their contact information with a board member.
Novice Programs - Next Session Starting July 2nd!
Our novice programs are at the heart of our club’s growth. As a community focused organization, getting new members excited about rowing is one of our biggest goals. The spring 4-week program kicked off Thursday, June 4th at Solon Township with 6 eager participants. Some are new to the club and some are novices from last year wanting to brush up on their skills.
Summer Novice Session - July 2nd - August 20th (8 weeks)
Price: $250
Fall Novice Session - August 27th - October 1st (6 weeks)
Price: $200
Space is limited so register soon!
Do you know someone who is interested in rowing? They can let us know they are interested by emailing row@northernmichiganrowing.club and we will answer any questions and help them get registered. Please help us spread the word.
Glen Lake Sculling
NMRC will soon be back on the water at Glen Lake Yacht Club. Boat racks have been built and boats have been rigged. Coached novice (and above) sculling sessions begin on June 29th and will run through the summer on Monday and Friday mornings. Volunteers are needed and can toggle in via iCrew.
If you have never sculled and want to learn, consider attending one of the Learn to Row sessions at the Yacht Club.
Saturday, June 20th from 8:00am to 11:30am - CLICK HERE to register
Saturday, June 27th from 8:00am to 11:30am - CLICK HERE to register
If you are interested in attending a Glen Lake Learn To Row but have questions, please send an email to row@northernmichiganrowing.club.
Regattas
Last year club members attended three different regattas, and we hope we will be able to do that or more this year. We are currently gauging club member interest.
Everyone in the club should have received an email asking that you to indicate your interest level. If you didn’t see that email or have questions, club member Kathy Burkhardt is our regatta coordinator and Coach Katie Kraft is our regatta team coach. Either can help answer your questions. You can find their contact information in iCrew or you can email row@northernmichiganrowing.club and we can connect you.
The regattas we are considering for the 2026 season:
MCI ~ Michigan Club Invitational, Ann Arbor, 6/27/26
Rowfest, Ypsilanti, MI, 7/17/26-7/19/26
Beer City, Grand Rapids, MI - 8/8/26
Iron Oars, Marquette, MI (UP), 8/28/26
Henly On the Boardman (TACR), Traverse City, 9/12/26
Head of the Hooch, Chattanooga, TN - 11/7/26-11/8/26
Volunteering at NMRC-You Make the Club Run (Row)
NMRC is a member / volunteer organization and we could not do it without you pitching in! Together we have been instrumental in getting our season up and running. A BIG THANKS to each and every one of you who helped make the below events a big success! Below are just some of what we’ve accomplished together this spring:
Solon Township Beach Park Clean-Up
Boat Rigging at Lake Leelanau
Glen Lake Boat Rack Building
National Learn to Row Day at Lake Leelanau
Mowing at Lake Leelanau Boat Yard
Boat Rigging at Glen Lake
M22 Challenge (our club earned $500 for our support of this event)
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities- Sign up in iCrew
The club earns money for our participation in the following event. Please go to iCrew and sign up today.
Cedar Polka Fest - Friday Evening, 8/28/26
Cedar Polka Fest - Saturday Evening, 8/29/26
Sleeping Bear Marathon - Saturday Morning, 10/3/26
Meet Member Janet Schillinger:
In Her Own Words
What brought you to the sport of rowing?
In January 2024, I attended a showing of the movie, Boys in the Boat, sponsored by NMRC, at the Bay Theatre. In exchange for an e-mail address, attendees received “free” learn to row passes, that in the dead of winter were essentially learn to erg passes. I’ve since learned that rowing and erging are not necessarily the same thing!! Having followed my son and the MSU Crew Club Team in the early 2000’s, I was fascinated by the sport. Given the opportunity, I was excited to check it out.
I am now a member of the club, and I could just say that the rest is history, but my journey is really the story. Truthfully, it was not love at first stroke. That winter I joined an advanced group of rowers at erg training and just tried to keep up. When I hit the water, I was more like a fish out of water. My other water activities (skiing, fishing and row-boating background) didn’t launch me into rowing success. My first few rows were rough. But I was determined to prove to myself that I succeed. When the club asked what could be done to help new rowers, I was forthright with my feedback, and thankful for the club’s response, which was formation of the Novice program. After a few weeks of training, our small novice group competed in the TACR Henley on the Boardman regatta. When we crossed the finish line you would have thought we had just won Olympic Gold!
What you like about it … The best parts of my journey were the aha moments on the erg, finally nailing a row, and ultimately being able to row stroke in a Novice 8+ during a session, that teammates all agreed was our best row of the season, slapping hands and high-fiving when we came off the water. The support and camaraderie within the club that accompanies the learning and achievements of each team member in the boat is priceless! I am very grateful for the coaches for consistent instruction and easing me out of my comfort zone. As a new rower, the support and encouragement from experienced rowers was amazing!
What rowing has meant to you… Rowing has allowed me to challenge myself physically, and to renew myself mentally, by enjoying the water and nature around me. I feel stronger and healthier due to rowing and erging and am hoping I can continue the sport for years to come.
A rowing challenge … one you have set for yourself or a challenge you have met …At first, my challenge was to just stick with it. Now, it is to improve at least one skill with every row. As I become more comfortable with sculling, a future challenge is to row with my son in the Masters National parent/child race. But, if for some reason that never happens, knowing that I now have the confidence to even consider that option, is a goal achieved.
As a regular club member, I look forward to paying it forward by supporting and encouraging new rowers to the best of my ability, with the same grace that was shown to me.
See you on the water!
NMRC Volunteers at M-22 Challenge & our own Gary Chleboun takes 1st in his age group! Great Job everyone!!
NMRC Leadership
Lindy Kellogg, President: lindy@northernmichiganrowing.club
Marti Chamberlain, Vice-President: marti@northernmichiganrowing.club
Cindy Opie, Treasurer: cindy@northernmichiganrowing.club
Cam Lanphier, Member at Large: cam@northernmichiganrowing.club
Gary Chleboun, Member at Large: gary@northernmichiganrowing.club
The NMRC Board of Directors is a 7 member board and 2 spaces are currently vacant. If you are interested in learning more about our club leadership or want to become involved, please reach out to any of the members above.
Supporting our club is always in season!
We are a volunteer, member-run 501c3 organization, and depend on donations to sustain our club. Membership fees go toward overhead costs and staff (coaches.coxswains). All equipment repair and upgrades are supported by the generous donations of our community.
Charitable donations can also be made via RMD (Required Minimum Distribution) contributions if one is retired. Making donations this way may reduce your tax burden. Contact your own financial advisor.
NMRC is now registered to receive donations via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) from Fidelity Charitable. If you have investments with Fidelity, it is an easy and secure way to make donations.
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.
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 feel you received this email in error, please click the unsubscribe button below.