High School Competitive Programs

Fact: not all area high schools offer rowing/crew in their athletic portfolios. Fact: not all athletes are selected for high school teams despite their best efforts to prepare. Fact: not all rowers seek to compete for their school teams.

It’s for these reasons that ARC provides a Competitive Club Program (high school boys and girls ages under 19 years old – U19). Our Competive program is formulated to prepare student athletes to race in local and regional regattas against Club as well as Scholastic Teams.

In addition to boat sessions at the Dammrich Rowing Center, training includes dryland Strength & Conditioning using progressive resistance & the Rowing Machine (ERGometer). The Dryland Home for ARC, Northshore Fitness Studio in Wilmette, conducts sessions which serve to develop a healthy rowing-specific balance between power and flexibility with respect to age & physical maturity.

ARC’s High School Roster remains OPEN and additions are welcome at any point throughout the year.  Timing determines the extent with which a newly rostered candidate may participate.  Factors include Fitness, Determination and the candidates ability to quickly get up to speed on Technical bladework skills.

The Fall season introduces Novice rowers to the technical skills and endurance required to establish a solid foundation for future progress.  Head Races, i.e. 5000m distances against the clock, allow for slower stroke ratings to develop baseline fitness and technique. 

After the Fall season, Winter Dryland focuses on developing power and speed to facilitate Spring Sprint oriented races, i.e. 2000m, 1500m & 1000m distances.

Summer racing is a continuation of the Spring Sprint formats. Our hometown Regatta, the Chicago Sprints, showcases Sprinting at a 1000m distance in heats of 2 boats known as Henley style with only two lanes.  For this reason, the unique Henley format for the Chicago Sprints are well attended and provides spectators with a front row seat to the fastest pace Crew offers!  That, in addition to the exciting venue in Lincoln Park surrounded by the unique skyline that only downtown Chicago offers, guarantees thrills for all boats, racers and spectators alike!

Our philosophy is to promote a balanced fun approach to the challenging process required to master the technical aspects of “Rowing Clean & Well”.  With positive reinforcement as our foundation for Coaching and Mentoring, we encourage the Student-Athletes to embrace rowing as a life-long sport by learning to row the Single Scull.

We Roster both Girls and Boys U19 Competitive teams for Spring, Summer and Fall rowing seasons. We offer a Full-Package approach Contact us today if you are interested in competing within a holistic environment teaching life skills like goal setting, good sportsmanship, discipline and teamwork.

Annual Competitive Membership includes USRowing Membership which provides for on-the-water liability insurance, safety standard guidelines, continuing education and guidance. Balance of fees help fund equipment maintenance and club operating expenses.

For more information contact Brian Easter, ARC Program Director at (847) 347-3278.