Almost every crew team member will tell you that joining the rowing team is one of the best decisions they made at Ignatius. If you are new to rowing you would be considered a Novice. A Novice rower is anyone in their first year of rowing. In subsequent years, rowers are moved to the JV and Varsity teams. Check out the snapshot of the practice schedule with some details below:
Rowing is made up of two primary seasons - Fall and Spring - with strength and condition training available through the winter.
Fall Season
Winter Season
Spring Season
Gear and Uniform
Safety is a top priority for SICR. We need to be 100% comfortable that each team member has the ability to stay afloat, in the unlikely event that their boat tips over. To this end, all new (Novice) crew members are required to pass a swim test before getting in a boat. Passing the test covers you for your entire time on the team. (If you previously attended SICR's Learn-to-Row camp, we still have your swim test on file, so no need to submit a new one.) To pass the test, you must have a certified lifeguard/swim instructor certify that you are able to:
Athletes can arrange for this test on their own, or take advantage of the group swim test organized by the team in the fall. See the Registration Overview page for details.
In a rowing crew, the coxswain is the member who sits in the stern facing the bow. Coxswains are an integral part of any crew; they are critical to safety on the water, navigating the river, strategically maneuvering the boat during races, and motivating the rowers. Furthermore, the coxswain is the communication link from coach to rowers during practice. It is a challenging but fun task that requires focus, decisiveness and a keen sense of responsibility.
If your child is a coxswain you have a few different rules. Your child will row a lot less. They are in command of the boat. Their responsibilities are to navigate getting the boats in and out of the water as well as determining how and when the rowers increase their speed while racing. They are generally required to be at meetings at the regattas at least an hour before the rowers are required to be there. They may be responsible for a “cox box”, an aid to tempo and pace and a microphone to yell commands to the rowers. No rowing or coxing experience is necessary to become an SICR coxswain.
Talk to a coach or reach out to the team's Registrar at registrar@saintignatiuschicagorowing.org.
Registration for the 2024 Spring season for new/returning rowers will open January 23! Please click on the link to the right to get started. The Spring Season will begin on Monday, February 26. Most likely we will start the season indoors in the new SICP athletic building at 1055 West Roosevelt Road. When the weather warms up, we will move to the Eleanor Boathouse at Park #571, 2828 S. Eleanor Street, Chicago IL.
A separate registration form for the Spring Break Training Trip to Oak Ridge, Tennessee will come out in early February.
Please contact Janet Smith at registrar@saintignatiuschicagorowing.org with any questions.