September 22, 2026
Congratulations to founding NMRC member, Diane Hamilton & her Chinook Racing teams BIG win at 2026 Worlds Rowing Masters Regatta in Bled, Slovenia!
Watch the excitement of Diane’s 8+ Winning Race at timestamp 5:05 on YouTube: Chinook Mix 8+ Bled Slovenia
Henley on the Boardman
September 13, 2026
The Henley on the Boardman, hosted by Traverse Area Community Rowing was a great success this year.
NMRC had 12 rowers participate in several different races under very windy conditions. Thanks to all who participated and helped to make this event successful for our club. We look forward to taking an even bigger crew next year.
A BIG THANKS goes out to club member Kathy Burkhardt, NMRC’s volunteer Regatta Coordinator, for all the work she did to make this event a reality for our club.
From participant sign ups, boat lineups, boat derigging/rigging and transportation, rowing & Coxing (see the pic to left) her planning and execution was fantastic and we couldn’t have done it without her. Pulling off each regatta is a huge undertaking and we are so grateful for all of Kathy’s efforts & expertise!
Last Learn to Row of the Season at Lake Leelanau
Saturday, August 22nd was our last Learn to Row for the 2026 season. We had over ten participants and almost as many volunteers.
All the participants got a chance to row on the water as well as learn about the rowing stroke on the ergs on land.
Many of these participants have signed up for the fall Novice session! If you would like to row with the Novice crew as a seat filler, please reach out to Coach Katie!
NMRC Boat Naming Ceremony & Summer Session Social
Sunday, August 23, 2026, the Fluidesign double was named and joined the NMRC fleet. The Cinnaire was donated by member Steve Smith and named in honor of his business. Thank you, Steve.
Steve & Coach Sue took the inaugural row after the naming!
A potluck brunch social followed the dedication and morning row to celebrate the summer season wrapping up!
The Glen Lake Season
The rowing season at Glen Lake is winding down and we want to thank everyone who put in the time and effort to make it a success - especially our coaches Melissa Dow and Diane Hamilton, and board member Cam Lanphier.
We held 5 Learn-to-Rows, hosting 42 people who had the opportunity to get out in both a single and a quad. Both Novices and Experienced Rowers enjoyed the beauty and serenity of rowing on our amazing lake. We hope to see many of them out on the water in the future.
There are only a few more sessions on Glen Lake so check iCrew to see what is available.
Derigging and moving boats will
Cheers to a great summer!
NMRC Club Merchandise Stores always OPEN!
NMRC club gear (long and short sleeve t-shirts, tank tops and sweatshirts) is now available to order through our own store on Squad Locker.
Hi-Viz hats and beanies (new) are available on the NMRC website Marketplace.
JL Racing gear for NMRC Competition Race Gear shop has closed. Competition gear will be available again in early 2027.
Contact Cam Lanphier if you have questions.
lanphier3@comcast.net
NEW NMRC BEANIES on our website - $20
Hidden Heroes of NMRC
There are many members working behind the scenes, making our club run/row. They are our hidden heroes, and we’d like to unmask them and say “thanks!”.
Joe Carter: Media Man extraordinaire! Capturing all our rowing video and still photography for our newsletters, social media and youTube channel
Elizabeth Roth: Volunteer Equipment Manager -organizes and conducts boat repairs, orders parts
Lindy Kellogg, Sue Parvin: Rewired Golden Girls and got the new cox box set up
Joe Carter, David Hampton, Naomi Louchouarn, Theresa Gersenson, Cindy Opie, Janet Hethorn, Lindy Kellogg, Erica DesJardins, Kathy Burkhardt, Mary Brayton, Melinda and Ian Holland: Polka Fest volunteers
Ann Mease, Betsy Ernst, Kathy Heil, Marti Chamberlain, Naomi Louchouarn, Betsy Borre, Emma Rosi, Margo Kehe, Melinda Hollands, Susan Parvin, Joe Carter: Learn to Row volunteers
Carol Adler - Editor; Marti Chamberlain, Lindy Kellogg, Cam Lanphier, Sue Parvin, Kathy Burkhardt - content providers & Newsletter production
Dave Hampton, Joe Carter, Gary Chleboun: Boat yard cleanup
Kathy Heil: Laundry
VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED
Let’s finish the season strong with lots of help at the following volunteer events.
Please go to iCrew and sign up today.
Sleeping Bear Marathon
Saturday Morning, 10/3/26
We still need 5 more volunteers. Our club makes $1000 for participation in this event
Glen Lake Derigging & location wrap up (need 4 rowers and tall/strong people to lift boats)
September 27, Time TBD
Lake Leelanau derigging & location wrap up (need 10+ tall/strong people to lift large boats)
October 24, Time TBD
Watch your email for notifications on times and meet up locations!
If you want to help the club out but don’t know where you best fit, or have a special skill you can offer, please contact any board member or reach out to row@northernmichiganrowing.club
Betsy Ernst
In her own words
What brought you to the sport of rowing?
My good friends, Lyn and Rich Bahle have been after me to join the rowing club for several years now. They always emphasized the wonderful group of people that came out to row and volunteer each week and they knew I would really like to join in. I came to the happy hour get together at Broomstacks and met many of the rowers and I knew then I would like to join in NMRC.
What does rowing mean to you?
The best part of rowing is learning something new each time I go out. I started out this spring with the Novice Learn to Row. It has been 20 years since I last rowed and I have learned so much this summer. I love how the sport challenges me physically and mentally and at the end of the day I feel like I have accomplished something good.
What has been a rowing challenge ?
My biggest challenge has been to increase my confidence level. Rowing an eight I am always concerned that I need to be my best and keep up with the more experienced rowers. It has really helped me to go out in the early mornings and scull a single or a double. I feel like I can do this well enough and it gives me confidence to row with others.
What rowing goal have you set for yourself?
My goal this year is to learn all I can so I can participate more next year in any boat that is available. I also will set more time to volunteer when needed which has been hard for me with my work schedule. I still work for the nursery that we sold last year as their landscape designer and sales person and this year has been busy!
Lastly I have really enjoyed meeting new people and so many great outdoors women and men who love getting on the water as I do.
Coming Soon… Row-vember!
After we have put the shells into storage for the season, our indoor rowing season begins!
All 2026 NMRC members (full season, seasonal session and novice members) are eligible to row indoors for the month of November, fee free during Rowvember! Sleeping Bear Bay Club in Maple City will once again host us from November to May. Sessions will be Monday & Wednesday evenings, and Saturday mornings. Winter Indoor Rowing memberships will be available for purchase beginning in October & November.
Sessions are led by volunteer members.
If you have interest in being an indoor volunteer lead, please reach out to Lindy at lindy@northernmichiganrowing.club
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 and 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