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Registration

NEW TO CREW?

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 Varsity team. Check out the snapshot of the practice schedule with some details below:

FOR NOVICE ROWERS: SICR AT A GLANCE

Rowing is made up of two primary seasons - Fall and Spring - with strength and conditioning training available through the winter.

Fall Season

  • Time Period: Start of school year - Thanksgiving
  • Location:  Eleanor Boathouse | Chicago River (bus provides transport to and from the school)
  • Practice Times:  Monday - Friday, 3:30-5:30pm

Winter Season

  • Time Period:  January (upon return from Christmas break) through end of February
  • Location:  1055 West Roosevelt Road | St. Ignatius College Prep
  • Practice Times:  Monday - Friday, 3:15-5:15pm

Spring Season 

  • Time Period:   March through the end of May
  • Location:  Eleanor Boathouse | Chicago River (bus provides transport to and from school)
  • Practice Times:  Monday - Friday, 3:30-5:30pm
  • Note:  The team travels to Oak Ridge, TN during Spring Break for a training trip and also participates in both regional and national regattas throughout the season

Gear and Uniform

  • A team t-shirt is provided for Novices.  Once a Novice moves on to Varsity, they will be required to purchase a team uniform.
  • In general, the best clothing for rowing is soft, stretchy, breathable, and fairly form-fitting. One of the basic clothing requirements is Spandex shorts/trousers for wearing in the shell. Loose shorts and pants can get caught in the slides under the moving seats, so avoid basketball style shorts.

NOVICE SWIM TEST

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:

  • Enter the water and swim 50 meters (any stroke)
  • Tread water for 10 minutes 

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. 

FOR VARSITY ROWERS: SICR AT A GLANCE

  • Practice:  Monday – Friday 5:00am until 7:00am and Saturday from 6:00am-8:00am
  • Transport: Students with cars drive to practice and often carpool with other team members to school after practice.

FOR PARENTS: SICR ROWING AT A GLANCE

  • SICR is a club that is separate from the school and is a self-funded 501(c)(3) organization. It has the largest number of athletes participating of any school sport. The club has won many national awards and strives to provide athletes with the best opportunity to compete regionally and nationally against the best of scholastic and club rowing programs.
  • The club is run by parents and a dedicated group of coaches. At SICR, the heart of our program is volunteering.  Our parents, rowers and friends donate their time and passion to make ours a safe, happy and successful program. There are numerous ways to participate, and a place for everyone to join in. Opportunities will be posted during the season.  Contact any board member with your questions. Here are just a few ways you can join in: Regatta hospitality tent, trailer towing to events, chaperone at the regattas, plan team events, arrange team travel, register new rowers, assist with summer camps.
  • Fees: There are fees for the club for each season and for the spring break trip
  • Financial aid is available 
  • Novice after-school bus to and from the boathouse is provided by the club
  • Saint Ignatius Crew uniforms, gear and apparel can be purchased on this website found on the Uniform & Gear Tab
  • Coaches place rowers in a boat and/or position to benefit the team.  Please respect their decisions.

COXSWAINS:

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.

THINKING ABOUT TRYING CREW? 

Talk to a coach or reach out to the team's Registrar at registrar@saintignatiuschicagorowing.org.

Spring 2025 Registration

Registration for the 2025 Spring season for new/returning rowers is Open! Please click on the link to the right to get started.   

Please contact JP Ramirez at registrar@saintignatiuschicagorowing.org with any questions.