The novice team within the Chicago Rowers Union ( CRU ) made its debut splash in the water on Saturday afternoon, July 10, competing in the annual, two-day Chicago Sprints—the biggest sprint race in the Midwest.
CRU's club and competitive teams also participated, though none won their divisions.
"Our teams performance has really improved this year," said CRU president Scott Curcio. "Our three coaches have really made a difference; they are making sure everyone is working smarter and harder. They are working hard on everyone's form and technique, and that's really helped our performances."
The local race is the largest sprint-season regatta in the Midwest, and among the top five largest non-collegiate sprint regattas in the United States. The Chicago Sprints attracts participants from 10 Midwest states for its 1,000 meter course near Lincoln Park Zoo.
CRU is the only predominantly gay rowing club in the Midwest, one of only two in the United States, and one of three in the world. The other gay rowing club in America is in Washington, D.C. CRU has about 40 members this summer, including two women, and nine newcomers to the sport.
"They were excited and excited," Ernie Kimlin, the coxswain for CRU's novice team, said after the Chicago Sprints. "I think they're already excited for their next race."
CRU's novice team includes several rowers loaded with potential to advance to the club's other teams, such as Jeremy Bonsol, Josh Thurbee and Chip Howard, among others.
"The novice team is really good; they are really taking to the sport very well," Curcio said. "The members of the novice team have a lot of good rowing years ahead of them."
CRU members range in age from 23 to 43, and Curcio said the team "really is improving." Curcio and Bill Moudry are the only rowers who have been on board since the club's inception.
And CRU is now working on plans to celebrate its fifth anniversary in the fall.
"We've come so far in five years," Curcio said. "I thought it'd take a lot longer [ than five years ] to start winning races."
CRU claimed the championship at the Grand Regatta in late June in Grand Rapids, Mich.
CRU's next Learn To Row session begins Saturday, July 31, in Skokie.
Founded in 2005 by 12 men as a team for Chicago's Gay Games, the team was then known as Qrew Chicago. The team's name changed to Chicago Rowing Union in 2009. CRU's season runs from April through October, with annual winter indoor sessions, and competitions in the Midwest and elsewhere.
"Rowing is the most efficient workout you can get," Curcio said. "You actually burn more fat and get a better overall workout rowing than you do running or biking because you're using more muscles; you're using your whole body."
Curcio said about 60 or 70 percent of those who complete CRU's Learn To Row "will want to keep with it." But, he added, it often takes a few years to hone your skills.
CRU this year features several former collegiate rowers, including members who previously represented Michigan, Cornell and Florida State.
"We really want to expand our women's division," Curcio said.
CRU will be back in their boat at the Milwaukee River Challenge on Sept. 18.
For more information on CRU, or to register for its Learn To Row, go to www.chicagorowingunion.org .
