Welcome to Sweeps & Sculls Rowing! We are very excited to have you join us for one of our First Strokes Program. This is our biggest learn to row program yet and we are looking forward to getting to know you and sharing this amazing sport.
We wanted to give you some idea of what you can expect along with a few logistics. If you have any questions along the way, you can always reach out using the Heja app, or via phone, text or email with individual concerns.
Times & Locations…
You will sign up for rowing session in the Heja app. Session days and times available are…
- Wednesdays
- 5:30-6:30p
- 6:45-7:45p
- Thursdays
- 6:30-7:30a
- 5:30-6:30p
- 6:45-7:45p
- Fridays
- 6:30-7:30a
- Saturdays
- 9:00-10:00a
- Sundays
- 9:00-10:00a
You will be meeting at our Learn to Row location at Peterson Park Beach on McCullom Lake in McHenry.
Petersen Beach Park
Below is a Google and Apple map of the location of Petersen Park Beach.
Google Map >>
Apple Map >>
Plan for inclement weather…
If the forecast calls for drizzle, we will still plan on holding our regular sessions at McCullom Lake. Please dress accordingly.
If it looks like there are storms coming through or winds will be too high to safely be on the water, we will notify you in Heja (please keep notifications on) and move practice to our Indoor Rowing Center. That information will be posted at least an hour before the session.
Sweeps & Sculls Indoor Rowing Center
4410 Route 176
Unit #14
Crystal Lake, IL
What to wear…
It is best to wear comfortable, athletic clothes that allow for easy movement while rowing. Please dress for the weather. If it is going to be chilly, layers are best. Loose fitting clothes, especially shorts, can be problematic with the rolling seats, so closer fitting clothes are better. This can be especially problematic for men. Steer clear of long, baggy basketball shorts. Shirts and jackets with pockets can also be problematic. Clothing that dries quickly (synthetic fabrics) are always a better idea than cotton.
Because we are wet launching (wading into the water to launch our boats), shorts or pants that can easily be pulled up are a good idea.
Footwear…
Opening Ceremony: during the opening ceremony, you will be doing a lot of learning and two different types of footwear is advisable. You will want to have regular athletic shoes for the land portions, however you will also be wading into the water to learn how to get in a boat, so some kid of flip flops or shoes that can go in the water and a towel might be a good idea. The area where we will wade in is beach sand.
Rowing Sessions: There are shoes in the boats, so you just need to be able to slip shoes off when getting in the boat. We will be launching the boats in the water, so you will be wading into the water, then we will give everyone a few minutes to put their socks on before strapping into your shoes. You will want to wear slip on shoes and bring socks.
Phones & keys…
Unless you need your phone for medical reasons, we do not recommend taking your phone in the boat with you. The recommendation would be to lock phones and other valuables out of view in your car during your session.
If you do need your phone for medical reasons, or if you have an inhaler, epipen or other items that you think you need to take in the boat with you, please talk to one of the coaches about whether or not that should go on the water with you and the best way to do that.
We will have a bin for keys and phones in the utility trailer that we have on site so that keys can be locked in the trailer while we are out on the water.
Coach Sue Koscielski Contact Info
Email: sue@sweepsandsculls.org
Cell Phone: (815) 693-3734
Photos & Videos
We will be sharing photos and videos through the program in the Heja app, but we also have a Google Album that you are more than welcome to join.
Water, bug spray, sun block…
The sessions are about an hour long, but you will want to plan to bring water with you. We will have a water cooler to refill, but will likely not have cups, so having a water bottle with you is a good idea.
While we don’t have an issue with mosquitos out on the water, there may be some mosquitos hanging around at the beach area, especially since we are rowing in the morning and in the evening. It is up to you if you want to have bug spray with you.
Petersen Park Beach is really open with very little shade, and you are out in the open once we are on the water. Sun block, hats, etc. are advisable.
It’s a water sport – you’re probably going to get wet…
This is one of our favorite things to say to all of our rowers and it couldn’t be more true. You may get splashed while rowing and it is possible that you could end up in the water. Also, don’t forget that we will be wading into the water when we are getting in and out of the boats. It is always a good idea to throw a towel in your car, and perhaps have a change of clothing just in case.
What to have with you
We recommend wearing your slip on shoes, carry your socks with you, and packing a bag or keep the following things in your car:
- Filled water bottle (we will have water available to refill)
- Athletic shoes (in case we end up indoors)
- Extra socks
- Sunblock
- Bug spray
- Towel(s)
- Change of clothes (just in case – because rowing is a water sport 🙂