Greater Columbus Rowing Association

Mark Your Calendars

Wednesday, May 17, 2017 12:04 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

REMINDERS: Mark Your Calendars...

This Thursday, May 18 at 7pm -- Member Meeting Plus Pizza, - Join us at the boathouse for the last meeting of Spring. Then join us afterwards at the Daily Growler for pizza and beer and social time (i.e. practice planning time)! RSVP via Team Snap.

Saturday, June 3 at 10am, National Learn to Row Day events and brunch -- Join us after the coached practice for coffee/brunch and a chance to meet our new Learn to Row participants. PARP also has events planned at the boathouse so stick around to share in the fun! **We can use help coordinating the day's events! Please email Sarah atgcrapresident@gmail.com if you can help**

June 6 - Learn to Row starts (orientation on June 3) with morning and evening sessions. Please welcome new faces and help direct them to where they need to be if lost. STILL SPOTS TO FILL -- still time to promote your friends, family, coworkers participation!

June 6, 7, 8 -- All-American Sculling Camp at boathouse. Choose the 3-day morning or afternoon session to enhance your sculling skills with intensive and personalized coaching. Fee is $325 with a $100 deposit due with this registration form you can leave at the boathouse for Laurel Odronic or email to her at lodronic@gmail.com. It's important to register soon so that we ensure enough participants to go forward!

Friday, June 9 at 5pm, Summer Social Happy Hour -- Join us at the home of Chris Kochanek and Barb Wyslouzil (2433 Edington Rd, in UA). BYOB. Feel free to bring a snack to share. RSVP via Team Snap.

Saturday, June 17 - Midwest Masters Sprints in Hamilton, OH - This regatta and other regional sprint regattas have been posted in Team Snap. Please indicate your plans to attend there so others can find you and we can coordinate trailer needs.

Also remember...your second installment of membership/equipment fees was due on May 1. Third and final installment is due June 1. If you are rowing...please pay your membership fees...

April 20 Member Meeting Recap

Wednesday, April 26, 2017 3:49 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Miss the Members Meeting Last Week?....

See the presentation from the April 20th meeting here and on the website here. Highlights include:

Coached Program 2017 is underway. Program will offer 5 coached practices per week with two coaches attending Monday and Wednesday evening. Cost is $200 for a goal number of 30 participants.

Coming soon from the equipment committee -- labels for our refurbished and reset oars to fit your rowing needs.

If you plan to row at Masters Nationals this August, there will be a planning meeting this Saturday, April 29, 8am at the boathouse.

Development Committee is looking at merchandising options for some fun GCRA-branded apparel. If you'd like to be involved in this effort, please contact Helmut here.

Find out what regattas GCRA plans to attend this Summer!

LTR I Registration is open! Help GCRA get the word out for this by inviting your friends, family, and co-workers to participate.

Mark your calendars:
- Next member meeting - May 18, 7pm at boathouse
- All-American Sculling Camp - June 6-8 at boathouse (extra fee involved)
- National Learn to Row Day, LTR Orientation, and Boathouse Brunch - Saturday, June 3

Miss the Hands-On Launch Driver Training?

If you were not able to attend the hands-on training session, contact Chuck Brooks here to set up an alternative date.

Member News & Updates: How to Get on the Water, Coach Program Details, Important Dates

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 4:30 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Calendar Reminders:

Monday, April 17 and (alt date) Wednesday, April 19 from 7-8pm is the second session of the Launch Driver Training for a hands-on look at prepping and starting the launches. Please RSVP via Team Snap.
Thursday, April 20 at 7pm - Member Meeting at boathouse. Topics will include coached program details, regatta planning, and how you can get involved this year.
Saturday, April 22 at 8am - First Coached Program practice of 2017!!

How Can I Get On the Water??

Trying to figure out how and when to row this season? Here are some options to consider:

If you are not using Team Snap, email Sarah. This is the primary way we will communicate about practices, group rowing opportunities, and other events like volunteer work sessions.

Registration is now open for LTR Session I (sculling) which will begin with an orientation on June 3. If you have already paid for a full-year membership but you're a one-trick pony and need to learn how to scull or sweep, you can take a LTR Session for a reduced fee of $100. Contact LTR Director Terry Filicko or one of the officers if you have questions.

Registration is now open for the 2017 Coached Program - Session I. Practices will begin this Saturday, April 22 at 8am and go through August 7. We offer 5 coached practices per week with two coaches attending Monday and Wednesday evenings. Cost is $200 (compare to $175 last year for 4 practices per week with one coach each). Practices will be posted via Team Snap. For more information and to register, go here. Coaching schedule is as follows:
- Monday evenings with Greg and Liz - 615pm arrival for 630pm launch
- Wednesday evenings with Greg/Liz - 615pm arrival
- Thursday mornings with Julio - 515am arrival for 530am launch
- Thursday evenings with Liz - 615pm arrival
- Saturday mornings with Greg - 8am arrival for 815am launch

Private Coaching for a fee is available with Julio. Cost is $60 per lesson to be paid to GCRA via Paypal (GCRA splits this fee $50 to Julio/$10 to GCRA). This fee covers coaching in 1xs, 2xs, and 4x/4+. Cost is $80 per session for an 8+. Contact Julio here to schedule your lesson.

Still getting your water-legs back? Feeling a bit unsteady in small boats? Consider using one of the club stable-hull Wintechs used by our PARP program. See below for more details.

For summer planning:
- Small Boats Safety class will be offered in May when the water is warmer.
- All-American Sculling Camp will be back in early June for a 3-day morning or afternoon intensive sculling camp.

Practice Captains Still Needed

Volunteers Needed: We still need a Practice Captain for Wednesday evening practices and Saturdaymorning practices. Practice Captains will monitor Team Snap and coordinate line-ups for one practice per week. Training will be provided. Coaches and rowers will appreciate you immensely. Email Sarah if you can help!

Use of PARP Stable-hull 1xs and 2xs:

When not in use by our Para-Adaptive Rowing Program (PARP) athletes, the club's stable hull design Wintech singles and doubles are available to all our rowers. These boats might be suitable when just getting back on the water or supplementing your sculling training.

There are four shells available. Two 1x's and Two 2xs: One 1x and one 2x sit below the 8s on rolling dollies. One 1x and one 2x are stored on the racks in front of the private blade rack.

The PARP shells are like a regular rowing shell so they are ready to get you on the water without modification. The metal posts on the oarlock are attachments for affixing pontoons. You can use pontoons to add more stability and for even more safety (pontoons are stored on the rolling rack inside the GCRA storage cage). Or you can use without pontoons. Be mindful of the metal posts when docking. (if you are using the pontoons, you need to reach out and remove the pontoons before you can dock).

Use extra caution when removing and returning these boats to their floor space. And, remember, they are heavier than most of our other small boats so be prepared when lifting. These shells are not equipped with shoes. You will find a setup similar to the erg.

The PARP shells are rigged for our adaptive athletes. You will see a green label on the rigger that states the span (distance between the oarlocks) for which the shell is rigged. Most of the span is at 160(cm) which will allow you to use your oars or a regular club set. If the green label shows a significant shorter span please use the PARP oars which have been set appropriately (located at the far left of the club sculling blade rack);

The two PARP shells that are stored in front of the private blade rack require the use of genies. If you have never used the genies please find someone who can demonstrate. Please use the buddy system for the genies and to carry these heavier boats to/from the water.

REMEMBER: These boats are exclusively for PARP use during their practice times -- Monday and Thursday evenings, 4:30-6:30pm (or as published and/or reserved).

**If you would like to volunteer with PARP, please contact Helmut at hfberthold@gmail.com**

Equipment Update:

Currently on the "Do Not Row" list: Bianca 2x (due to skeg damage from log) and the Wintech 4 1x (due to unknown source of water entry in hull).

High water in spring results in more debris present in the river. Use extra caution when bowing our sculling shells.

As always, please be patient, deliberate, and gentle with our equipment. It helps us row. Any issues should be reported to gcraequip@googlegroups.com.

Member News and Updates - Sept 11. 2016

Friday, September 23, 2016 10:15 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

Speakmon Memorial Regatta Planning Meeting TONIGHT

Reminder: The Speakmon planning meeting will be held tonight at 7pm at the boathouse.

GCRA's 2016 Speakmon Memorial Regatta will take place on Sunday, October 30th, on the same weekend as Upper Arlington's Blake Haxton Invitational. We are excited to present this Fall rowing extravaganza for Columbus and the rowing community to show off all we have to offer! Your volunteer participation is absolutely critical for this event. There are several ways you can participate. Consider all three!

1. Offer your time and talent to the planning committee. There are many roles to fill. Meetings occur every other Sunday at 7pm at the boathouse. Contact Tom Roberts at gcraregattadirector@gmail.com if you can offer a specific skill set.

2. Volunteer during the regatta weekend. Many roles to fill here. Save the date now and look for specific jobs and time slots soon.

3. ROW! Even if you volunteer, you'll have plenty of time enjoy racing. See the event list here. Registration is open August 15 through October 23.

Head of the Hooch - entries needed no later than tomorrow

Entries for this event are competitive and must be made when registration opens at midnight on Sept. 14. If you plan to race, please enter your lineup in the Google spreadsheet previously circulated by email and let Gordon Fullerton know you intend to race.

Racing at Cuyahoga? Gordon should already have your entry. Trailer space is being arranged now - stay tuned for loading date/time.

Annual Meeting -- Thursday, November 10 at 7pm, location TBD

Save the date now. Plan to attend to elect your 2017 Officers and Trustees and review 2016 highlights. If interested in serving as an officer or trustee, please contact a current member of either group to find out more. Stay tuned for a call for nominations and to submit your name for candidacy.

Learn to Row Sessions for 2016

Monday, April 04, 2016 8:12 AM | Anonymous member

Learn to Row classes start June 6. Registration will open April 11.

We will be running 4 classes of Learn to Row I (Sculling):

Session A: Monday & Wednesday mornings from 5:30 - 7:30 am.

Session B: Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Session C: Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 5:30 - 7:30 am

Session D: Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 pm.

Cost for these sessions is $275.

The links to registration for these sessions will open on April 11.

Learn to Row II (Sweep) will begin July 5, 2016. Details to follow.

For more information or with any questions, please contact Terry Filicko, Learn to Row Director, at gcralearntorow@gmail.com

GCRA Brings Home Hardware from Master’s Nationals 2014

Thursday, August 21, 2014 6:13 PM | Deleted user

Twelve rowers/scullers from GCRA traveled to Grand Rapids Michigan to participate in the US Rowing Master’s National Regatta, August 14-17, and each brought back at least one medal. There were 28 GCRA entries in 23 different events. The group brought back 3 gold medals (Mixed C 2x, W Club F 4x, Mixed A 4x), 2 silver medals (M Hwt A 2x, M Lwt C 2x) and 5 bronze medals (Mixed A 2x in a photo finish, M Hwt A 2x, Mixed C 4x, M Lwt C 1x, and W open B 1x), which placed the club in the top third of clubs in efficiency (17/58). Efficiency is calculated as points/competitor for clubs that bring at least three competitors and excludes composite boats. Although it was a bit windy, the moderate temperatures and low humidity made for very comfortable racing conditions. Shown below are Mark, Laurel, Kristi and James (aka GoGo and the Gays) celebrating their win in the Mixed A 4x.

GCRA Proudly Participates in Gay Games 9

Thursday, August 21, 2014 6:12 PM | Deleted user

Nine rowers, one rower/cox and two coxswains from GCRA participated in Gay Games 9 in Cleveland, Ohio on August 10th. GCRA submitted 11 entries in 10 events and obtained 5 golds (M Lwt 1x, M 1x, W 2x, M 2x, Mixed 2x), 2 silvers (Mixed 4+, Mixed 8+) and 1 bronze (M 1x). The group has already begun networking with other clubs who attended both Gay Games and Masters Nationals Sprint Races (DC Strokes, Chicago Rowing Union & Toledo Rowing Club) to ensure an excellent representation from the USA at the next Gay Games, set to take place in Paris, France in 2018.

Shown below are the GCRA participants at Gay Games 9.

Learn-to-Row featured in the Columbus Dispatch

Thursday, August 21, 2014 6:10 PM | Deleted user

GCRA's Learn-to-Row was featured in an article in the Columbus Dispatch. Interested in learning to row? Visit the Learn-to-Row page under the Programs Tab.

http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2014/07/27/your-health/rowing-is-a-full-body-but-joint-friendly-workout.html

Team Building event hosted for the Columbus Blue Jackets

Thursday, August 21, 2014 6:08 PM | Deleted user

In July GCRA hosted a team building event for the newly recruited Columbus Blue Jacket players. Chris Clark, the development Coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets, said "Starting from the time we arrived at the boathouse to when we left, the organization and professionalism from the volunteers was amazing. Our guys not only learned a great deal about the sport especially from the teamwork side of it but it was also a lot of fun".

GCRA News – Call for Nominees

Thursday, October 03, 2013 7:54 PM | Deleted user

The GCRA election season is upon us!

This year, we’ll be electing:

All four officers – President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary.
Three of the six trustees.

Eligibility to run:

Officers – anyone who has been a member in good standing for at least one year is eligible to run.
Trustees – you need not be a member to run for trustee.

Nomination process:

Self-nominations are permitted and encouraged.
If you nominate another member, please confirm he/she is willing to serve if elected – before you nominate.
Please email your nominations to Bruce Ramsey – justwannarow@gmail.com no later than Sunday, 10/13/13. Please include GCRA Nomination in your subject line.

Voting:

All members in good standing are eligible and encouraged to vote - with the exception of two special classes of membership (Temporary Non-Resident and National Competitive Athlete).
The election will be held at the end of the annual meeting 10/21/13.
Absentee ballots will be distributed via email approximately 2 days before the election to those who cannot attend.

For more information:

The club bylaws (available soon on columbusrowing.org) provide information about the roles and responsibilities of the elected positions as well as the election process.

Meeting & Election:

GCRA Annual Membership Meeting and Election
Monday, October 21, 2013
6:00 p.m.
Friends Theater, Upper Arlington Library

Thank you,
Bruce Ramsey
Elections Officer
justwannarow@gmail.com