ABOUT
CRU offers evening and weekend sweep rowing programs for Master’s rowers from April until October. Our rowing teams provide rigorous workouts to improve rowing technique and conditioning. For those who would like to compete, we will prepare rowers for regatta participation. We also offer free training and waive membership dues for all dedicated coxswains.
Additionally, CRU also offers Learn-to-Row classes in the spring to teach the basics of sweep rowing to adults who would like to learn the sport in a safe and welcoming atmosphere. Qualified participants are encouraged to join our Novice program.
Finally, we offer a Winter Indoor Training program (WIT) during the off-season for those athletes who would like to continue to train for the on-the-water season.
We do not want cost to prevent anyone from participating in our programs. Just let us know, we have a small scholarship program available for existing members in need of temporary financial support, in return for your dedication, commitment to attendance, and willingness to volunteer for CRU fundraising activities. Scholarships are not available for the Learn to Row or WIT program.
PROGRAMS
NOVICE TEAM
The Novice team is open to anyone with prior rowing experience or who has completed an Learn to Row program. The Novice team will train two times a week. The focus is on skill-building, exercise, and the development of a welcoming and inclusive rowing community.
Upon successful completion of the Learn To Row (LTR) program, graduates are qualified to join teams in the Rowing Community.
2026 Practice Schedule The Novice Program will begin June 4th, 2026 at 6:30pm at Dammrich Rowing Center. This team will row Thursday evenings at 6:15pm and Sunday Mornings at 11am through the months of June and July ,and will end the first week of August. Contact us for more information. (Learn to Row or equivalent experience required to join)
COMPETITIVE TEAM
The Competive team begins practice in April 13th 2026, and is for experienced rowers who wish to get fit and train for regattas, and will be paying extra fees to practice up to 4x a week. You need to have completed a full year of training (spring, summer, fall) as a novice to qualify for the more advanced program. Boating placement is determined by performance and coach judgement and is competitive with your teammates. The focus is on preparing for Sprint and Head races, skill-building, exercise, and the development of a welcoming and inclusive rowing community. Contact us for more information.
2026 Practice Schedule The competitive team will begin April 13th, 2026 at 6:15pm at Dammich Rowing Center and will row through Mid October. This team will row Monday and Wednesday evenings at 6:15pm, and Sunday mornings at 8:30am.. and ERG on Thursday evenings. Contact us for more information on how to join this team.
(USRowing Membership is a separate but required fee for competition).
RECREATIONAL TEAM
The Recreational team begins practice in April 13, and is for experienced rowers who just want to get on the water and have a good row, and will row with the Competitve team on Mondays, and help the Novice Team on Thursdays to help bring their experience level with rowing forward.
2026 Practice Schedule The recreational team will begin April 13th, 2026 at 6:15pm at Dammrich Rowing Center and will row through Mid-October. This team will row Monday and Thursday evenings at 6:15pm, and with the Novice Team on Sundays at 11am starting in June. Contact us for more information on how to join this team.
COXSWAIN TEAM
We are always looking for coxswains and offer free training. No experience is necessary. Coxswains are so valuable to our rowing club that your membership dues will be waived in appreciation. When you register be sure to select “Coxswain Only”.
Coxswains are needed for every team practice and will be able to select practices from the team calendar. Please reach out to the Operations Chair for more information.
HOW TO REGISTER
iCrew and USRowing
Chicago Rowing Union is an active organizational member of USRowing and follows USRowing policies. We require all members to sign the USRowing Waiver as a condition of getting on the water with us to ensure agreement with our Safe Rowing Policies. You can print and sign this document and bring with you to practice, unless you are already have joined USRowing membership. By the way, if you’d like to participate in regattas with us, you’ll need to obtain a USRowing membership.
When you register with CRU, you’ll find that we use iCREW as our club management program. All registration, online payments, document sharing, and private group communications will take place via iCREW.
All NEW registrants and Learn to Row Participants will need to create an iCREW account during their registration process. If you have prior rowing experience and would like to join our club bypassing the “Learn to Row” program, please contact us and we will send you the registration information after coach approval.
CRU passes the credit card fees back to you when your transaction is processed. You will notice a slight difference between the price and the final amount charged (2.5%). As a nonprofit that runs on a shoestring, this makes a huge difference in our bottom line and we really appreciate your support
