Crew Seasons

North Suburban Crew offers opportunities to row year-round.

Fall and Spring are crew’s competition seasons, when a firm commitment to practices and regattas is required. Athletes may choose to participate in one or both of these seasons. Winter indoor training is optional but strongly encouraged for athletes planning to compete in Spring season.

To maintain and improve skills and conditioning, or just for fun, returning rowers may choose to participate in our Summer “Flex” program. We also offer summer camps.

FALL - August 26 (returning rowers) or 27 (new rowers) - November 2, 2024.

WINTER - December 2 - 18, 2024 & January 7 - March 1, 2025.

SPRING - March 3 - May 28, 2025.

SUMMER - begins June 9, 2025.

Practices

IN-SEASON (FALL and SPRING)

Fall and Spring teams practice 3-5 days per week. Variation is based on timing of regattas and the individual rower’s boat placement and commitment.

We practice in the morning from 5:00 to 6:30 a.m. before school. This may seem like a difficult time frame, but there are many positives with it such as:

  • There is very little traffic (if any) on the water at that time. Practice sessions and workout pieces aren’t interrupted by other teams.

  • Driving to and from practice takes a lot less time.  

  • The afternoons are extremely busy at the Dammrich dock, making launching/landing much more difficult and time consuming.

  • Rowers can participate in after school activities (other sports, clubs, jobs, etc.) that would be unavailable with an afternoon practice.

  • Practices are more streamlined and take less time than a typical afternoon practice.  

  • Morning practices are the norm for collegiate rowing, an element of tradition dating to the early years of competitive rowing.

Winter training (conditioning) is 3 days per week, 5:30-6:30 a.m.

Summer offerings occur mid-morning and include Learn to Row Camps, Novice/Continuing Development Camps, and opportunities for returning rowers to serve as camp counselors. Returning rowers also may opt to participate in “flex” training and competition, with schedules varying based on rower availability and interest.

location

 


All practices are at the Dammrich Rowing Center, 3220 Oakton Street, Skokie. At Dammrich we have access to water, rowing machines ("ergs"), and tanks (an indoor water-simulation practice tool).  





Regattas

Regatta schedules come out shortly before each season. Our tentative schedules are as follows:

Fall 2024:

9/28 - Tough Cup (Chicago, IL)

10/6 - Wisco Chase (Jefferson County, WI)

10/13 - Head of the Rock (Rockford, IL)

10/18 - TRAVEL - Head of the Charles (Boston, MA) (select boats only)

11/2 - TRAVEL - Head of the Hooch (Chattanooga, TN) (select boats only)

winter 2025:

2/24 - Chicagoland Shiver Erg Sprints (Lombard, IL)

spring 2025:

Three to five local regattas

Mid-May - Midwest Junior Rowing Championship (Bethel, OH)

May-June - Qualifying Boats may attend National Junior Rowing Championship (TBA)

North Suburban Crew is a 501c3 organization