July 1, 2026
Spring Novice Rowers and Helpers
NMRC Novice Programs
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. Our Spring Session has concluded and our Summer Session starts July 2nd. We are excited to kick-off the summer session with 14 rowers! We have two spots left in the Summer Session and several spots in the Fall Session. Fall is a great time of year to learn a new skill on South Lake Leelanau.
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 by emailing: row@northernmichiganrowing.club
Glen Lake Learn-to-Row rowers and helpers
Rowing at Glen Lake
There will be rowing at the Glen Lake location three days a week. On Monday and Friday mornings from 7:00-9:00, scullers of all levels (novice through experienced) will be coached by either Diane Hamilton or Melissa Dow. Wednesdays will be a meet-up at 7:00am for experienced rowers only as there will be no coach. Rowers on Wednesday can row either a club boat or their own boat.
If you have any questions, please contact Cam Lanphier at cam@northernmichiganrowing.club or row@northernmichiganrowing.club
Glen Lake Learn-to-Scull
Saturday June 20th was a perfect day for a Learn-to-Scull on Glen Lake. Ten participants practiced on ergs led by Melissa Dow, learned some rowing terminology from Diane Hamilton and Joe Carter, and took turns going out in a quad, double, or a single aided by Susan Sunda, Holly Reay, and Cam Lanphier. We were very impressed by the skills of these novices and hope they will join our summer program. As the wind came up later in the session our quad cox yelled a little louder, Diane practiced an emergency rescue of a flipped rower. A fun time was had by all.
Regattas
Greetings fellow rowers! Regatta season is in full swing and our signups for RowFest and the Beer City Regatta are in. Those of you who responded YES or MAYBE can expect an email from Kathy B in the near future outlining details for these two regattas. If you didn’t sign up in time or if your availability has changed, please email Kathy Burkhardt physicsfox@gmail.comand she’ll add you to the list. This is why we did all the winter training on ergs and in the weight room!
We are currently working on the details for 5-6 rowers from NMRC and TACR to compete this year at RowFest in Ypsilanti, MI. The venue is a nice one with most of the launching/docking taking place in the orange region and racing in eight buoyed lanes in the dark blue region as seen below. This is Avery competitive race bringing in over 900 rowers from 90+ clubs from across the United States. Masters racing taking place July 16-19.
Next up on the planning calendar…
The Beer City regatta will be held August 8 in Grand Rapids, MI hosted by The Grand Rapids Rowing Club on the Grand River. This fun, pretty chill regatta features Masters, novice, and recreational racing, and notably concludes with teams celebrating their medals with local craft beer. Rowing? Beer? What could be more fun?
The regattas we are considering for the 2026 season:
Rowfest, Ypsilanti, MI, 7/17/26-7/19/26
Beer City, Grand Rapids, MI - 8/8/26
Iron Oars, Marquette, MI (UP), 8/22/26
Henley On the Boardman (TACR), Traverse City, 9/12/26
Head of the Hooch, Chattanooga, TN - 11/7/26-11/8/26
Consider Becoming a Coxswain
The coxswain is an essential part of the boat. That primary job is to keep the boat moving straight, help with keeping the cadence and stroke rate, and calling out instructions. The coxswain may steer the boat by making minor corrections with the rudder. And, the coxswain is responsible for the safety of all rowers in the boat, as well as the equipment.
The coxswain must be a good communicator and motivator. During a race, the cox may help exhausted rowers dig a little deeper and find a bit of extra strength. A coxswain voice exudes calm and confidence and encouragement. Rowers can help coxswains do their job by being attentive and keeping one’s head in the boat.
If you are interested in giving coxing a try, talk to a coach or a board member.
Volunteers at the July 27th Learn-to-Row and Glen Lake Yacht Club
Volunteering is what keeps our club running smoothly
NMRC is a member / volunteer organization and we could not do it without you pitching in! Since our June 15th newsletter, members have logged many volunteer hours. We’ve accomplished so much together since spring. Thanks to everyone who has helped out.
Glen Lake Learn-to-Rows June 20th and 27th
Replacing wheels and tracks on the Decider
Mowing and weed whacking at Solon Park
Putting up fliers for the novice program around Traverse City
Coordinating interest in regattas and planning for RowFest
Working on merchandise - offers coming soon
Coxswain subbing
Seat fillers for the novice program
Building shelves in the oar house
Creating this newsletter
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
Donations and Needs
Donations:
Long term loan of a lawn mower for the Solon boat yard - Rich Bahle
Wood for shelves in the oar house - Rich Bahle
Faster Masters - Good Coxswain Guide - Anonymous
Boat for coach’s launch at Glen Lake- Cam Lanphier
Needs:
A weed whacker for the Lake Leelanau boat yard. Please contact Gary Chleboun at: gary@northernmichiganrowing.club
Donations are often needed and greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Meet member Emma Rosi
In her own words:
What brought you to the sport of rowing?
I have always been drawn to water, likely from spending much of my childhood playing about in Lake Michigan while growing up on the Old Mission Peninsula. Beginning in my early 20s, I dedicated myself to a career focused on the study of freshwaters, earning a MS in Entomology (studying stream invertebrates) and a PhD in Ecology (focused on freshwater ecology). For over 30 years, I worked as a freshwater ecologist, conducting research on the health of freshwater ecosystems. In 2020, I moved back to northern Michigan to be close to my folks during the pandemic. In 2024, I retired from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies where I was a senior scientist studying the ecology of freshwaters to focus my attention on my second career as an artist. During my career as a research scientist, I focused on numerous aspects of the health of river ecosystems which led me to field research, much of it on boats, in spectacular places like the White Mountains of New Hampshire, many rivers in the western US, including the Colorado River in the bottom of the Grand Canyon, tropical rivers like the Mara River in Kenya, small streams in Australia and tributaries of the Amazon River. So naturally, when I moved back to northern Michigan, I was eager to find new ways to get out on the water as much as I could. I have always been intrigued with rowing and even have a pair of antique wooden sculling oars over my front door which originally hung in our cabin in Old Mission. As as a busy field research scientist and mom, I never really had an opportunity to pursue my interest in rowing. Once I moved here and learned of people rowing on Lake Leelanau, I took 4 week long rowing course at Fountain Point in 2023; and in 2025, I was thrilled to learn about and join NMRC as a novice. I now row as often as I can.
What you like about it … I love rowing. I love being on the water and being able to exercise my body and my mind. One of the novice coaches last year said “leave your worries on the shore” and I try to do that with each row. I also really like how hard it is. As a beginner rower in my 50s, it is challenging to learn a new sport and to feel so out of my depth most of the time. But with time, practice and the advice and tips I have received from coaches and other NMRC members who frequently share rowing advice, I feel like I am slowly improving. When all rowers in a boat get in sync and we are gliding across the water on a beautiful day, it seems like there is no place I would rather be.
What rowing has meant to you… Rowing has meant exercise, friendships and joy. Since starting last summer, I have rowed as much as I can and I just keep having fun rowing. I even enjoy rowing on the erg in my basement, although the view is not great. Rowing is such a fun sport and for me rowing embodies the phrase “we are all in the same boat.” Rowing, carrying boats, rigging and everything else that is involved in being a club member creates great camaraderie and I feel like each row strengthens my friendships with NMRC club members.
A rowing challenge … one you have set for yourself or a challenge you have met … I feel like I set small challenges for myself to improve with each row—NMRC coaches are great at suggesting things to work on—and I really try to tackle one thing at a time. But two specific goals I have for this season are to feel confident sculling in a single and to keep sweeping and sculling with others to improve my ability to row as a team member.
To learn more about Emma… If you want to learn more about my science career, have a look at my science website and to view some of my artwork check out my art website.
See you on the water!
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 and/or reached the age where one must take their RMD. 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.