The Rowing Group - Rowing in Chicago

Rowing in Chicago

Chicago has one of the best pieces of water for long distance rowing in the country. The Chicago River is also one of the most unique rowing venues in the world, boasting a canyon of skyscrapers as your backdrop to your training. The Rowing Group offers assistance to visiting crews who would like to train in Chicago. Individuals, youth programs, collegiate teams, development programs and national teams have all visited and rowed in Chicago. Let the Rowing Group help your crew have the same unique training experience. .

Move to Chicago to Row and Train
Are you an active oarsman/woman who is seeking the highest accolades in rowing? Do you want to find an inexpensive location to live and work while you train for the national team? Chicago can be your new home for elite training and rowing. The Rowing Group is able to put you in touch with the people who can help you on your way, connecting you with other elite rowers as well as assisting you in finding local work coaching or in similar industries.

Bedford Modern School (UK) racing Lincoln Park Juniors, Loyola Academy and New Trier High School on the Chicago River, Spring 2011

Visit Chicago to Row and Train
The Rowing Group can help visiting crews arrange their training trip to Chicago. The Rowing Group can help you secure hotels, restaurants, local transportation, boats, oars, and everything else that is needed for a visiting crew.

Recent Chicago Visit Highlight
With the help of the Rowing Group, Bedford Modern School traveled to Chicago in the Spring of 2011 and brought twelve rowers and two coaches. They spent a week in Chicago training twice a day and were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of Chicago in the evening. From deep dish pizza, to Bulls games, to rowing on the main branch of the Chicago River under the Michigan Ave. bridge, the Bedford crew experienced it all.

Bedford boys on the Chicago River in front of the Trump Tower

Click on images to see larger versions

Recommended Rowing Programs in Chicago
Do you want to start rowing in Chicago but don't know where to start? Each program listed here is recommended by the Rowing Group. Programs are selected because of their positive impact on the rowing community as well as their proven success as an organization. Each program has demonstrated, through actions, their desire to improve rowing in Chicago.

Chicago Rowing Foundation (CRF)
CRF is a medal-winning, nationally-competitive rowing team that serves youth, high school, and college-age student athletes as well as adults with their masters rowing program. CRF is a program that supports ethnic and economic diversity by enabling individuals from different backgrounds to participate in the transformative sport of rowing. CRF is a true community rowing club that has clearly demonstrated their extremely positive impact on the Chicago rowing community.
WEBSITE: http://rowchicago.com/
ADDRESS: Clark Park Boathouse and their boathouse near North Avenue on Weed Street off the back channel of Goose Island.

Recovery on Water (ROW)
ROW is a masters women's crew for recovering breast cancer survivors. The program is an excellent example of the positive impact rowing can have on a person's life. Support ROW anyway you can, they are a model for rowing outreach in Chicago.
WEBSITE: http://recoveryonwater.org/
ADDRESS: Chicago River at Bubbly Creek near Eleanor St. in Chicago

Chicago Rowing Union (CRU)
CRU is a rowing team founded by members of the LGBT community to provide all-inclusive rowing for the community. They offer competitive and learn-to-row options for anyone and are an excellent example of community outreach and inclusiveness.
WEBSITE: http://chicagorowingunion.org/
ADDRESS: North Shore Channel off of Oakton in Skokie, IL

Chicago Training Center (CTC)
CTC is a rowing program designed to introduce the sport to at-risk youth in Chicago. CTC has become the model in Chicago for outreach in rowing, with a track record of success. Support CTC anyway you can, they are an asset to the Chicago Rowing Community.
WEBSITE: http://chicagotrainingcenter.org/
ADDRESS: Chicago River at Bubbly Creek near Eleanor St. in Chicago

Ergs

Rowing Group - 2014