Big Shoulders Rowing Club

Chicago, IL

Mission statement
Principles
Specifics
New model
Club equipment
 		Member's equipment
Fundraising
Membership
Safety
Links & FAQ
 		Contact info:
info@bigshouldersrowing.org

FAQ top

If you have any questions you'd like to include in the FAQ, please email me.

Why "Big Shoulders" and why "Rowing?" top

"Big Shoulders" comes from the Carl Sandburg poem Chicago.

Big Shoulders Rowing is primarily a sculling and not a rowing club (the exception is the 2-, which I hope we row regularly). However, I decided not call the Club "Big Shoulders Sculling Club" because non-rowers generally do not know what sculling is. Rowing, on the other hand, everyone knows. Of course.

What do the blades of Big Shoulders Rowing Club look like? top

I think that flame (OSHA) orange w/ a blue Chicago "C" (a bit like the Bears) would be nice. As always, primer gray is the default blade design.

Does Chicago need another rowing club? top

Absolutely.

We could have tagged along with any of the other 4 clubs in the area, but none provide a good fit. We want to scull competitively in a co-ed environment. CRC is only women and the emphasis is on the 4+. The LPBC lagoon is crowded as is, and they do not scull on the river. CRR&PC has very limited water access during the early spring and late fall. The Skokie boathouse is a bit too far for most of us.

In Philadelphia (population 1.4M) there are at least 12 boathouses. In Chicago (2.8M) there are only 2.

Choice is good.

I would prefer to donate money for the Club to buy equipment for general use, instead of buying my own equipment. Can I do this? top

Absolutely! You know best what to do with your money.

What about novices (learn-to-row) and intermediate rowers? top

Good question. Since the Club does not own any equipment at the present time it is difficult to fit novices in.

I do enjoy teaching people how to row, so I propose the following:
  1. Novice rowers learn to row and get fit on ergs (as usual).
  2. Novice rowers learn to scull at the Lincoln Park lagoon, either with me, or another LPBC instructor.
After learning to scull, the novice rower either integrates him or herself with Big Shoulders Rowing Club (which eventually would require purchasing equipment) or not (perhaps they would prefer to stay at Lincoln Park or go elsewhere).

This sounds reasonable and fair to me.

What will happen to Big Shoulders Rowing once you (I, Antonio) graduates and leaves Chicago? top

I expect tograduate and leave Chicago in the Summer or Fall of 2007. (I realize that that is not enough time to establish a club. I'm sorry, I have been spending my rowing energy elsewhere.) If those who are left want to keep the club going, great. If not, not. The club is meant to be low maintenance, so it should not be a lot of work. All that would really have to happen is for us to find a coach, which is not as hard as you might think as long as the right coaching environment exists. I would love to loan or donate the coaching launch & engine.

Why is this web site so horrible? top

Believe it or not, we are all a bit busy with school, work, and training to be really fast. If you have skills and are willing to help, please let us know.
Antonio Gisbert
2.12.2006