October 2026
Fall Rowing is in full swing.
It is such a great time to be on the water with fewer motorboats, lots of wildlife and fall colors all around.
Toggle in to get those last few rows this week! The season wraps up on Sunday, October 25th with our final Sunday Open Row, followed by end-of-season derigging.
Maybe you will even be able to participate in a pumpkin race!
Head of the Grand
Four NMRC members headed down to Lansing for the Head of the Grand on October 3rd!
It was an exciting day of racing hosted by MSU Crew with 24 clubs at this Head Race open to Masters, Juniors, and Collegiate rowers from around the Midwest on a 3.2k course.
Naomi launching for the Masters Women’s Singles Race
And Naomi rewarded with a Gold!
Great race and a first for NMRC!
Joe and Steve race the Cinnaire in Men’s Doubles
Naomi, Joe, Steve & Lindy race in the Masters Quad
End of Season Derigging
Lake Leelanau Boartyard at Solon Park
Sunday, October 25th, after Open Row: 10:30am to finish
Pitch in to get the boats ready for winter storage.
TOGGLE IN NOW TO THE ICREW EVENT!
We need many hands to get the job done
If you have any questions, contact Gary Chleboungary@northernmichiganrowing.club.
FALL SOCIAL
Thursday, October 25th
5:30-7:30pm
Come celebrate our great rowing season with your NMRC teammates. Bring an appetizer or dessert to share. PLEASE no outside beverages allowed but you may purchase the beverage of your choice at the Broomstack’s bar.
Toggle in on the iCrew event so we know how many people are coming.
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 Row-vember! 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. (non-members are able to join beginning in December on a space available basis)
Sessions are led by volunteer members, and we can accommodate up to 9 rowers per session. To participate, you must toggle in for each session in iCrew as space is limited.
Indoor Training Schedule:
Monday 6-7pm: Lead by Naomi Louchouarn
Wednesday 6-7pm: Lead by Kathy Burkhardt
Saturday 9-10am: Lead by Diane Hamilton
Questions about winter training? Please reach out to Coordinator
Special Order for NMRC Club jackets!
Please note that the ordering deadline is October 30th and we need a minimum of 6 for the order to go through:
Waterproof NMRC Jacket — Northern Michigan Rowing
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!”.
Alice Frakes (and Richard), Kathy Burkhardt, Mary Brayton, Mya Anderson, Emma Rosi (and Steve), Marti Chamberlain, Melissa Dow, Susan Sunda: Sleeping Bear Marathon Volunteers
Naomi Louchouarn
In her own words
What brought you to the sport of rowing?
Originally, I came to rowing when I was living in Pittsburgh. I was a freshman in high school and hadn’t made it onto the school lacrosse team. I got roped into trying rowing in the spring season and ended up making it my whole personality. I decided not to row in college, I guess I thought I needed to expand my personality a bit and if I'm honest, once I got into the college, I forgot about it.
In the spring of this year my good friend mentioned erging as part of a Crossfit class and it's as though all my memories came back. I found the NMRC website and it was so easy to find opportunities to check it out. I was really sure I wouldn’t remember anything, but it came back way faster than I thought. The club was so welcoming and friendly, it was so easy to remember why I love this sport so much. I guess its my whole personality again.
What does rowing mean to you?
When I was in high school I wasn’t a particularly popular kid, but rowing made me feel strong and capable. It showed me I could do hard things and it made me proud of the things my body could do, both mentally and physcially (not a super common feeling when you're a teenager). It also gave me camaraderie I didnt get anywhere else. When I tried it again this year, all of those feelings came rushing back. Theres nothing like that feeling of a really awesome row with a boat full of people. Because of that, rowing is the one sport I always was keen to do. It was and is never a chore, its a gift to be able to go out and do it. I'm so grateful to have that feeling back.
What rowing goal have you set for yourself?
This year I challenged myself to get good at sculling. I had barely done it when I rowed years ago and wanted to do it well. I have two goals going forward: 1. I want to see how competitive I can be in a single (and any team boats that want to compete!). My competitive side has lain dormant so long, I want to see what I can do when I actually try :)
2. I want to get really good at understanding the mechanics of the stroke technique and how to improve it. I've been doing a lot of reading and YouTube watching. Anyone who wants to geek out about this, you know where to find me!
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.
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.