May_2011 - Newsletter

Hello Supporters,

Well the Spring Season is now in full gear and with that we have reports from our most recent events - Crystal Lake Invitational and Culver Regatta.

Old Man Winter had his last laugh in the month of April as it proved to be the wettest on record in Chicago for generations!  Thanks to the foul weather, many regattas in the month were canceled because of a mix of high winds, flooding, or wave action (in some cases - all three!).  Unfortunately CTC is not immune to this reality, as our first slated regatta - Crystal Lake Invitational - was canceled two days prior because of severe winds that made the lake un-rowable.

Undaunted, our kids still managed to salvage practice at our rowing site (docking was usually an adventure). We then set our sites on the second regatta - Culver - as our first chance to taste competition on the water.  The weather seemed to play along - for a while.  When it came time to put boats on the water, the wave action from the continued 12 mph winds made the lake unsafe.  The winds were not too high (we have rowed in higher) but the combination of direction and duration created white caps for over 80% of the course.  Our kids were understandably bummed as the weather was otherwise perfect - sunny and mid 70's!

Without skipping a beat, the coaches all got together and decided to make lemonade out of lemons.  We put together groups of ergs that allowed us to row most of the events, so that medals could be handed out and all the competitors would have the opportunity to compete.  All told - CTC competitors, which included CTC and UNO, came away with multiple medals. Over 80% ended up winning at least one bronze medal, so the day was turned around to a huge positive that promptly ended in a lakeside plunge (quickly regretted by those that took part - the water was freezing!). An outside BBQ and football match rounded things off.  Our thanks go out to Culver for hosting the regatta and our fingers are crossed for more water related activities next year!

Our focus has now shifted to Chicago Rowing Champs in Crystal Lake this Saturday (May 7th).  Entries have gone in and we plan to compete in 12 boat entries.  We hope this will be the first race experience for some of the novices and valuable race experience for the more seasoned rowers, as they head to the final two regattas of the year - currently Culver and Crystal Lake (again).  Our race schedule can be found HERE and all special events are also located on our calendar HERE.

The only really unfortunate event that occurred this weekend is that one of the CTC motors was stolen from our site.  This situation is the continued reality we face by offering this sport in an underserved environment. We will continue to be as vigilant as we can, so that funds can be properly allocated to our youth programs rather than used for the replacement of stolen equipment. But events like this keep us keenly aware of how important security is and how lucky we are that only equipment was affected.  Dreams of a future boathouse and properly locked storage facilities populate all our minds!

On a more upbeat note, I have been informed that Charielle McMullan has decided to attend the University of Wisconsin (the early front runner for her) next year.  She will be utilizing the GROTC scholarship.  Abigail Avila (her friend and partner in crime) is still waiting to hear from two schools waiting lists but regardless of her choice she will be utilizing the Bill Gates Scholarship award she has won.  CTC congratulates both of these CTC alum's and looks forward to them setting a high bar for other alumni to follow and supersede.  Their graduation is June 5th.

In terms of upcoming events -

• CTC is continuing its discussion with the Chicago based Youth Guidance organization to discuss how CTC can play a roll in offering alternative activities for the kids they serve in high-risk CPS schools.  This is a natural fit for CTC and Youth Guidance and we are all very excited by the possibilities that this relationship presents.
• Our Ivy Bound SAT Class is still going strong and all efforts there are focused to the exam in June.  For the Juniors this will follow the recent trend of exams they have had to take recently and for the Sophomores they will be given a very valuable head start in next years planning.  Good luck to everyone!
• The CTC Summer Camp is now fully organized and spots are open for youths interested in skill acquisition from a cadre of coaches with international pedigrees.  Person of note - joining our coaches, we are lucky enough to have Mr. Tiff Wood (aka The Hammer) one of US Rowing's most decorated male athletes of a generation ago.  He rowed in the famed 'Rude and Smooth' Harvard boats of the 70's, captained the 1980 Olympics, and he was featured in two books (The Amateurs and Assault on Lake Casitas). He was also a main character in the film, Rowing Through.  Tiff will be joined by his wife Susan Parkman (head coach of Willamette University) and Ali Williams (Cox of the Great 8).
• Programming Update - CTC is currently putting together a plan to facilitate city-wide transportation for youths involved in programming.  We have found that the two main barriers to participation are swimming and transport.  Through free programs (YMCA, Chicago Park District, and School Pools) swimming can be dealt with, but the transportation situation is the most problematic.  We are currently figuring out how to support a bus network without sinking our budget.  We hope to have a formal plan of attack by the end of the summer to propose to donors, sponsors, and agencies.  This move would solidify current numbers and allow for the easy matriculation of new individuals from across the city.
• The British School of Chicago will begin its Learn to Row program this week as it ramps up for its own team this coming fall.  CTC is a partner with BSC and this collaboration will have great benefits to both programs.  We welcome BSC focus on rowing and we will help in many ways facilitate its success.  The bonus in this relationship is that CTC and BSC will be able to cross leverage relationships and create many situations where the teams will work together both at home and at regattas.  A very well thought out plan by all.
• Gala - Please save the date.  We are set to go for the 5th annual Gala on November 11th.  Plans are beginning to take root so please mark your calendars for another fun night at the University Club of downtown Chicago.