Windy City Media Group Frontpage News

THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

home search facebook twitter join
Gay News Sponsor Windy City Times 2023-12-13
DOWNLOAD ISSUE
Donate

Sponsor
Sponsor
Sponsor

  WINDY CITY TIMES

SPORTS Qrew Chicago: That's row biz
by Ross Forman
2008-05-21

This article shared 5269 times since Wed May 21, 2008
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email


A group of fairly inexperienced rowers, all interested in competing in the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, founded Qrew Chicago in 2005. They ultimately braved the heat and humidity on that July race day, which hovered near 100 degrees with 100 percent humidity—not to mention the anti-gay group that was opposed to holding the Gay Games' rowing event in suburban Crystal Lake._______________________

Qrew Chicago. Photo courtesy of the organization_______________________

'The city of Crystal Lake was a great host. They really opened the welcome gates for everyone who was there. It was a great place to race. It's a beautiful venue, a beautiful setting,' said Scott Curcio, a Chicago resident who serves as the vice-president for the nine-person board of directors for Qrew Chicago, the Midwest's only LGBT rowing organization—and one of only three such rowing organizations in the world.

'Every race that we did in 2006 kind of put us on the map,' Curcio added. 'Every race that we did in 2007 helped keep us on the map. Rowing is a sport that requires a lot of organization. It isn't like, say, running, where you can basically run anywhere in the world and all you really need [ to purchase ] is a pair of shoes. Rowing of course takes a lot more financial needs and a lot more planning. You have to find the place [ to row ] and the equipment. The rowing community has been very welcoming to our team. I think they have been impressed that we have been able to build such a strong membership and following in such a short period of time.'

Qrew Chicago has about 45 members, of which about 90 percent are male. Team members range in age from 23 to 49.

The team practices in Skokie at the Dammrich Rowing Center.

'We're very fortunate to have a very dedicated group of members who have taken the organization to where we are today,' said Curcio, 30, who works in marketing for Whole Foods and as a realtor. 'The group remains focused on fun and the camaraderie of the members. We have some intense workouts and we can really showcase people's ability to dedicate themselves to one single thing.

'When we started, we didn't really know where we were going [ with the club ] , but we quickly found that Chicago had a real big interest in this. This is the first year where we've grown to the point where we now have a couple of different programs under our group.'

During 2005-2007, all members were basically on one squad, all rowing together. This year, Qrew Chicago has divided things up, with three distinct programs. The top-level competitive team is for rowers with experience; this team will practice five days a week. Then there's the club team, for rowers with some experience but are limited time-wise. Finally, there's a novice team, for those with one year or less of experience on the water. None of the teams is age-specific.

'What we've seen is [ that ] there's a really strong interest in this sport among the GLBT community. Sure, there are a lot of GLBT people who have never done it, but they've always been interested in it,' Curcio said. 'Our membership is a diverse group of men and women, representing all communities.'

Qrew Chicago's current season runs through October and features the Stonewall Regatta in Washington D.C. May 31, and the Chicago Sprints July 12.

Anthony Chacon is the new head coach and competitive rowers' coach. He previously coached the University of Notre Dame and the Lincoln Park Boat Club.

Dennis Sneyer is the club rowers' coach for the 2008 season; he previously was a Qrew rower. Erin Cikanek coaches the novice rowers; she previously worked with Northwestern University's novice program.

'I just think that rowing is a sport that, when you grow up in the Midwest, it is a little bit foreign. It's not something that you see every day; it doesn't have as strong of roots and history in the Midwest as it does elsewhere in America,' Curcio said. 'Plus, when people think of rowers, they often think of people who wake up at 4 a.m. to row. And, sure, for some of us, that is the case. But not so for a lot of us.

'I know that a lot of newcomers are just curious about rowing. And when they come out for the first time, a good percentage really find that it's a really interesting sport and something where you're always trying to improve; you're never perfect and you're always trying to get better; there's always one little piece of your stroke that you can improve.'

Curcio said the 2008 goals for Qrew include expansion and fundraising, so it can purchase its own equipment. The team needs to buy one four-man boat and one eight-man boat, and the group needs to raise $32,000 for the equipment.

'Another focus this year is to expose more women to the sport, and perhaps, eventually, be able to field a full eight-person boat of women,' Curcio said.

So, is rowing a sport?

Absolutely, Curcio said. 'Anyone who would come out and try it out would, I guarantee, be winded after the first intense workout, regardless of what [ physical ] condition they are in. Rowing brings together athletic ability, technique, physical prowess and a lot of concentration. It is as much a mental game as it is a physical game.'


This article shared 5269 times since Wed May 21, 2008
facebook twitter pin it google +1 reddit email

Out and Aging
Presented By

  ARTICLES YOU MIGHT LIKE

Gay News

Four Chicago Red Stars receive international call-ups 2024-03-28
- CHICAGO (March 28, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars Nádia Gomes, Natalia Kuikka, Alyssa Naeher and Mallory Swanson have been tabbed to represent their countries during the April international window. Forwards Gomes and Swanson are set to ...


Gay News

2024 'Nike Basketball Camps with the Chicago Sky' announced 2024-03-28
- The Chicago Sky officially announced, in a debut collaboration with Nike Sports Camps, 2024 summer basketball camps for Chicagoland youth. Two camps for boys and girls ages 7-15 will take place June 17-21 and July 8-12 ...


Gay News

Be here, be queer, play polo: Gay Polo League creates safe athletic space for LGBTQ community 2024-03-26
- LGBTQ+ athletic clubs aren't too hard to come by, offering a variety of sports such as softball, soccer and more in cities across the country. But LGBTQ+ athletes would be harder pressed to find someplace to ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars stay undefeated 2024-03-24
- Chicago Red Stars stay undefeated On March 23, the Chicago Red Stars took down the Seattle Reign FC 2-1 in the club's home opener at SeatGeek Stadium. With the win, the Red Stars are now 2-0-0 ...


Gay News

ACTIVITIES Pickleball, fine eats and fun are all at SPF 2024-03-21
- Despite the fact that it was invented in 1965, pickleball has only really entered the national consciousness within the last few years. However, there really hadn't been a large indoor dedicated space in Chicago for the ...


Gay News

2024 OLYMPICS U.S. women's soccer team's opponents set 2024-03-20
- The United States women's national soccer team will face Australia, Germany, and either Morocco or Zambia in Group B at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ESPN reported. The tournament will mark the Americans' first competitive games with ...


Gay News

Alyssa Naeher wins National Women's Soccer League Impact Save of the Week 2024-03-20
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 20, 2024) — Chicago Red Stars goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher earned National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Deloitte Impact Save of the Week honors, the league announced today. Seven minutes into the eight minutes of added ...


Gay News

Red Stars start season with 2-0 win 2024-03-17
- On March 16, the Chicago Red Stars kicked off their 2024 campaign with a 2-0 road win over Utah Royals FC in the Royals' inaugural match back in the National Women's Soccer League. Ally Schlegel and ...


Gay News

College athletes sue NCAA over transgender policies 2024-03-15
- Former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines was among a group of college athletes who filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on March 14, accusing it of violating their Title IX rights by allowing trans swimmer Lia Thomas ...


Gay News

SPORTS Red Stars prepare to kick off NWSL season against Utah Royals 2024-03-15
- It's been a busy winter for the Red Stars, and it's time to put their work to the test. Following a last place finish in the 2023 NWSL season, Chicago has had an active offseason transforming ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release 2024 roster 2024-03-13
- CHICAGO (March 13, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced today their final roster ahead of the 2024 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season. The club's roster is bolstered by an array of experience brought not ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars release midfielder Jill Aguilera 2024-03-12
--From a press release - CHICAGO (March 11, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars today announced the release of midfielder, Jill Aguilera. "I want to thank Jill for her time with the Red Stars," said general manager, Richard Feuz. "Over her ...


Gay News

Trans golfer banned from competing 2024-03-08
- Transgender golfer Hailey Davidson spoke out on Instagram after the NXXT Women's Pro Tour suddenly announced on March 8 (International Women's Day) that participants must be "a biological female at birth" in order to compete—banning D ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars sign midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth 2024-03-06
Press release - CHICAGO (March 6, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars announced the signing of draftee and midfielder Leilanni Nesbeth. Nesbeth, Chicago's first-round and tenth overall draft pick in the 2024 National ...


Gay News

Chicago Red Stars announce partnership with Wintrust 2024-02-27
Press release - CHICAGO (Feb. 27, 2024) — The Chicago Red Stars and Wintrust Financial Corporation announced a partnership that will see Wintrust become the club's new front-of-jersey partner and community outreach investment ...


 


Copyright © 2024 Windy City Media Group. All rights reserved.
Reprint by permission only. PDFs for back issues are downloadable from
our online archives.

Return postage must accompany all manuscripts, drawings, and
photographs submitted if they are to be returned, and no
responsibility may be assumed for unsolicited materials.

All rights to letters, art and photos sent to Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago
Gay and Lesbian News and Feature Publication) will be treated
as unconditionally assigned for publication purposes and as such,
subject to editing and comment. The opinions expressed by the
columnists, cartoonists, letter writers, and commentators are
their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of Nightspots
(Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature Publication).

The appearance of a name, image or photo of a person or group in
Nightspots (Chicago GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times
(a Chicago Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender News and Feature
Publication) does not indicate the sexual orientation of such
individuals or groups. While we encourage readers to support the
advertisers who make this newspaper possible, Nightspots (Chicago
GLBT Nightlife News) and Windy City Times (a Chicago Gay, Lesbian
News and Feature Publication) cannot accept responsibility for
any advertising claims or promotions.

 
 

TRENDINGBREAKINGPHOTOS







Sponsor


 



Donate


About WCMG      Contact Us      Online Front  Page      Windy City  Times      Nightspots
Identity      BLACKlines      En La Vida      Archives      Advanced Search     
Windy City Queercast      Queercast Archives     
Press  Releases      Join WCMG  Email List      Email Blast      Blogs     
Upcoming Events      Todays Events      Ongoing Events      Bar Guide      Community Groups      In Memoriam     
Privacy Policy     

Windy City Media Group publishes Windy City Times,
The Bi-Weekly Voice of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Community.
5315 N. Clark St. #192, Chicago, IL 60640-2113 • PH (773) 871-7610 • FAX (773) 871-7609.