When the alarm went off at 4 a.m., I wasn't too thrilled about getting up for rowing practice. Then again, neither are some members of the Chicago Rowing Union ( CRU ) .
"Waking up at four-something in the morning to get to practice," is the worst part of rowing, said Gabe Cervo, 27, who lives in Rogers Park and is in his first year on CRU.
"Having to wake up before the birds do," is the worst part, added James Frencher, 23, who lives in West Town.
The CRU team practices in Skokie at the Dammrich Rowing Center and I pulled into the near-empty parking lot at 5:07, still not thrilled that I was going to be rowing.
Years ago, George Plimpton had a cool gig as a sportswriter-turned-quarterback for the Detroit Lions, which was ultimately immortalized in the book The Paper Lion.
I was joining CRU—for one practice.
Bill Moudry, 36, a data analyst who lives in Edgewater and is an original CRU member, arrived a few minutes later with a few teammates and coach A.C. Chacon. This was CRU's top team that I was practicing with. I was not sure I really knew what I was getting into—or what they were getting with me paddling in their boat.
We started warming up rowing on those machines you see at Bally's, or any major gym. The thing is, I couldn't tell you the last time I rowed at Bally's.
Nonetheless, Chacon showed me the proper technique and mechanics. At times, I just mirrored Moudry in his movements. I didn't have earphones or an iPod, like Cervo, but at least they cranked some current, upbeat hits.
Next, we moved to an indoor pool. Actually, it was kind of two small pools with a walkway between them. There were mounted boats and we rowed. I was on the starboard side, again behind Moudry and trying to mimic his movements.
"Most people don't understand how [ rowing ] is such an intense full-body workout; it's not just an upper-body sport. It's also a leg sport," said Cervo, who works as a visual merchant for Banana Republic and as a server at Uncle Julio's Hacienda.
"Rowing is very difficult. After eight years, I'm still learning new things, but it's a very rewarding sport."
The indoor training lasted for, oh, about 20 minutes, and then we ventured outside. The sun had come up and it truly was a beautiful morning, but I still wasn't sold on this rowing—which we were about to do on the Chicago River, which isn't exactly as pretty as the water that rolls onto Waikiki Beach in Hawaii.
Matthew Honaberger, 32, who lives in Andersonville and has been with CRU for five months, said the worst part of the sport is the early morning practices, and "the 'beautiful' Chicago River with all of its myriad aromas."
Honaberger is a CRU coxswain—a job that I definitely would like. He's kind of like the team captain. He tells the others what to do, and they respond. He tells them to step forward, and they step forward. He tells them to paddle, and they paddle.
CRU members listen to their coxswain, and he does none of the physical work.
"The best part about rowing for me would have to be the camaraderie of being on a sports team," Honaberger said. "Being all of 5'2", there are only a few sports where I can actually be competitive ... but as a coxswain, I get the chance to be part of a team that is competitive and where my height/weight is actually a desired quality.
"The biggest misconception about rowing is that the coxswain is only there to yell at the rowers. As a coxswain, you are essentially the coach on the water as well as the navigator. You correct the rower's form, you set the pace of the race, you motivate, and most importantly, you steer the boat."
Chacon showed me the different boats stored at Dammrich and said that some cost $40,000. Sorry, CRU, I'm using my spare $40K to buy other things beside another boat for you guys.
Chacon also showed the boats and paddles of New Trier and Loyola Academy. I am glad those high school crew members weren't there, though. It was bad enough that my rowing was seen by CRU members, all of whom are exceptional in my eyes, but I wouldn't want to be embarrassed in front of a bunch of teenagers.
Moudry and the team loaded the boat into the river, while Honaberger instructed their every move. Craig Wu showed me where to step when getting into the boat—and where not to step, the spot where I could put my foot right through the boat. And that wasn't on my agenda.
We boarded with ease and then moved away from shore a bit, so Chacon, in a separated motorized boat, could gave instructions. I was just to sit still to start, balanced while others rowed.
I "did great for having only had, and I hate to use this term, a 'crash course' in rowing," Honaberger said. "New rowers in [ the CRU ] Learn To Row class have one full practice on the rowing machines and one full class rowing in the [ indoor ] tank room before even getting in a boat. Ross was definitely starting to get some good swing by the end of his session, and he didn't even scream when the boat tilted a little."
Added Moudry: "I've never seen anyone attempt a crash course in rowing in which they jumped in the boat the first day. There was no panicking or flailing or shouting, 'Man overboard!' so I'd say he did well."
After about 10 minutes, we stopped—and then it was my turn to start. Everything I had learned over the past hour or so, I had to show. And ultimately I think I did pretty well. I agree; it can be a good full-body exercise. And rowing isn't something you pick up overnight, but I see the appeal. It's a challenge and was fun.
I just wish I could have stayed in sync better with Wu, Moudry and others. That was the biggest problem I had, but they assured me rowers get better each an every time.
"As long as one is determined and enjoys the sport, anyone has a future with CRU," said Cervo, who started rowing about seven years ago for the University of Florida.
I rowed with CRU's top team for 10 minutes or so and, most important as far as I was concerned, I didn't cause any serious injuries or damage, or end up in the water.
"The biggest misconception about rowing is that the more strokes you take in a minute, the faster you'll go," said Frencher, who was on the crew team at the University of Michigan. "Efficiency in a boat is much more important than speed. Rowing is very difficult. It takes both power and coordination. And when you're tired, you can't change your pace, because you'll throw off the boat's chemistry."
Added Moudry: "With rowing, everyone in the boat is equally important. If one person works hard, it might make a difference. But if everyone works hard, the results are exponential. This makes it a great team sport where everyone can feel like their effort is noticed. And because the sport requires practice as a team, we tend to spend a good deal of time together. I have met a lot of great people through CRU, some of which have become lasting friendships."
After my stint rowing, I joined Chacon in his boat, while the real pros on this day went at it. They rowed; Chacon barked orders and I enjoyed a free boat ride.
"There are plenty of great parts when it comes to rowing, but some of the views that we get to experience are worth every bad moment," Cervo said.
Honaberger, who works for Midwest Bioresearch, LLC, had never seen a crew team or race before moving to Chicago. He's now part of CRU's Learn To Row program and having a great time.
"I joined CRU a few weeks before I had some very difficult events happen in my life and it was wonderful to have a place to go where I could get things out of my head because I had to focus on rowing for a couple of hours each day. The rowers and coaches have been amazing to me and I feel lucky to have been given the opportunity to be a part of their team and their lives.
"Crew people are great people. Go CRU!"
I agree—especially since I didn't tip the boat.
CRU will hold its fifth-anniversary benefit Friday, Nov. 12, at Classic Kids Photography, 917 W. Armitage. There will be beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres, along with a silent auction and door prizes. Visit www.chicagorowingunion.org/benefit for more information and to purchase tickets.
For more information about CRU, go to: www.chicagorowingunion.org .
