The Chicago Rowing Union (CRU) is optimistic that the 2011 season will be its best ever, particularly because the 2010 campaign was quite successful.
"There is a lot of excitement for the season to start, [among] returning rowers as well as those interested in learning the sport for the first time," said Bill Moudry, 36, who is the new CRU president. "Our strengths are in our core returning members. There are a number of people who have been with the team since its inception, when we were still a part of the Lincoln Park Boat Club. Building a standalone team was a huge accomplishment and the level of pride in the continued quality of the experience of its members shows that this is really a team that cares. Additionally, this year we have many new volunteers on the board, all with a lot of enthusiasm for rowing and for making this season a success for CRU.
"Our biggest weakness is our relatively small number of women. The team started as an all-men's squad, but, in year two, we began recruiting women. We are committed to increasing the contingent of women that row with CRU to build a thriving and successful women's team."
CRU is an all-inclusive rowing team for the LGBT community, and it also includes straight members.
CRU kicks off its 2011 season Sunday, June 5, in Washington, D.C.
"We strive to become more competitive in the events we enter and to increase our physical and mental stamina through hard work and team cohesion," Moudry said. "As an organization, we would like Chicago Rowing Union to be synonymous with masters rowing in Chicago, and to be known as a club that is competitive, fun and inclusive of anyone who wants to row regardless of age, experience, gender, race or sexual orientation."
Moudry, who works as a data analyst for the University of Chicago, is in his sixth season with CRU, his first as team president. CRU is in its sixth season after it was formed in 2006 to compete in the Gay Games, which were held in Chicago.
"Personally, I would love to get my 2,000-kilometer test time to be under 7 minutes, and to be part of a boat that wins a gold medal," Moudry said. "As president of the board, my goal is to serve the organization such that we see growth in membership and increased satisfaction with the rowing and team experience our members receive."
CRU will rock Chicago's lakefront July 9-10, in the annual Chicago Sprints, held at the Lincoln Park Lagoon. CRU has a new coach this year for the club program, Mark Carroll.
"Mark comes to our team with over 10 years of coaching experience and involvement in the rowing community," Moudry said. "He has a passion for the sport and for supporting masters rowing programs, such as CRU, in Chicago. We are looking forward to working with him this year."
The team's biggest losses from last season are on the coaching front as its novice and club program coaches, Jenn Gibbons and Ingrid Bard, respectively, are not returning.
"They continue to support and inspire us, and we wish them well in their current and future careers," Moudry said.
CRU's head coach in 2011 is Anthony Chacon, back for his fourth season. He will coach both the novice and competitive programs.
Justin Di Giamberdine returns as the Learn-to-Row instructor.
For more about CRU, go to: www.chicagorowingunion.org .
