Our Friday program on the Rowing Club at Spring Lake Schools was presented by Coach Paul Winter (and also a 28 year SL Rotarian who volunteers his coaching time), who has taken on a major task of basically starting a competitive interscholastic rowing club which now occupies the efforts of at least 45 young people from two adjoining Schools: Grand Haven and Spring Lake. Before we were presented the program by Paul, there were several Announcements: 1. Adopt a Highway was presented by Gordon Gallagher. Savidge Street and the intersection of M-104, Pine Street, and the entrance to the Bridge Deck has a landscaped area, along with about a mile of Savidge Street. Members and friends who would like to meet monthly at the Holiday Inn and then proceed to pick up trash and debris in the mentioned areas can socialize at the beginning and hopefully at the end. It takes about 1.5 hours each month not counting recreational time…
2. May 2 to 4 is the District Rotary Conference at Double J Resort near Rothbury. It is a wonderful opportunity to participate in and learn more about Rotary, both on an International, US and Regional basis, along with the success stories of many local clubs and Rotarians. Let Brad Mac know if you might like to attend the Conference.
3. The Greeters at our weekly meeting can use a little help in signing folks in to see that proper notations occur for guests attending and number of meals being served. An accurate count of attendees is necessary for the SLCC kitchen to know how many meals should be charged to Rotary.
4. A Visioning Session is planned for a Saturday or perhaps late afternoon/early evening in June. This is a facilitated gathering of as many SL Rotarians as possible to plan the direction of the Club for the next 5 years, with a goal of at least half (50%) of the Members attending. Our club has participated in a Planning group in the past, and usually the session is well attended. It is important to gain a sense of what areas are important for our members, and then to at least annually focus on meeting the plans goals for the upcoming years. Please let Jeff Clark know what date(s) could work for you. Usually the agenda is completed in four hours, with participants setting the pace with the Facilitator, who is experienced in these sessions.
5. A Ryder Club style Golf Outing is planned for June 10, a Monday with SL and GH Rotarians participating. It appears there will be 14 members of each Club being counted as to strokes, for the winning team. Of course a couple of ringers will be in the Match, so the winning Club will be able to direct a $1,000 gift/grant to a charity of the winning club’s choice. The event will also involve a pay as you go earlier lunch/libations, and an ending celebration in the Clubhouse. Please plan to attend if you can! Let Kevin Green know at SLCC if you can attend…
As mentioned, the presenter was Paul Winter. He was assisted by two of his student rowers: Abbi Ritter, from Grand Haven HS, a Coxswain, and by Brennan Manzer, from Spring Lake HS, a rower. Each student described their involvement and excitement with the rowing program. It qualifies for a Varsity Letter. Paul stated there are 27 Rowing Clubs in Michigan at the High School level, and that the combo program with SL and GH has been active since 2015. Brennan is a Sophomore with 4 years rowing experience and is beginning to really develop his technique and skill set. He demonstrated the fluid movements needed on a Concept 2 Rowing Machine, with the stroke timing necessary to pace or speed the sculls and eights. There is a ‘drive’ stroke and a ‘recovery’ motion. Paul noted that the rowing stroke is not dissimilar to a golfing stroke. Abbi, acting as a coxswain in the 8’s, described the rhythm required as : REACH, ROCK, ROLL, DRIVE AND PULL.
For those who might like to know more about competitive or fitness rowing, it is worthwhile to go on line and look at videos of rowing to see the preferred styles, the differences between the 2 and 4 person Sculls, and the 8’s. The 2024 Olympics in Paris will feature competitive rowing. The immediate goal of the Rowing Club however is to secure a permanent storage venue behind the SL Middle School, next to the football stadium. There is a dock on the Grand River, nearby, so the current 45 students from grades 7 to 12 will be able to grow plus Paul will be able to note another goal for the Rowing Club has been completed. At present there is no millage being used to support the Club, however it will not be long before the value, competitive rowing, and healthy results will be noted by many schools. Thanks for the presentation Paul, Abbi and Brennan. Another reason to appreciate our volunteers, students and natural area for a rowing club.
Scribe, Tom Boven