Mendota Rowing Club was well represented at the 52nd Head of the Charles in Boston rowing in the Women's Masters 4+, Men's Masters 4+, Women's Club 4, and Women's Masters 8+. Our Women's Masters 4+ (Elizabeth Parker - coxswain, Nancy Jarvis, Mary Moody, Martha Laugen, and Megan Neuman) finished 11th and qualified for next year's event. Well done, team.

Congratulations to our rowers for bringing home the medals at the Head of the Rock Regatta -- two gold, two silver and two bronze.  

Full results

Congratulations to our novice, advanced, and competitive rowers for bringing home the medals at the Tail of the Fox Regatta -- five gold, two silver and two bronze.  

Full results

Learn-to-Row Volunteer Coordinator Position Available
The Learn-to-Row (LTR) Volunteer Coordinator position at Mendota Rowing Club is currently available for the 2017 season and beyond. This position includes a reduced-fee membership depending on the amount of responsibility undertaken. The LTR Volunteer Coordinator recruits and trains volunteer instructors and teaches at least one class. See a full list of duties below.

Resumés and other questions can be sent to Fran Breit (fbreit@mendotarowingclub.com). Please submit your resumé by December 1, 2016.

LTR Volunteer Coordination Tasks:

1. Updating the LTR Instructor and Student manual as necessary
   
2. Training instructors and certifying launch drivers as necessary
   
3. Ensuring all lead instructors have completed the Safe Sport training
   
4. Recruiting volunteers to run the classes. A launch driver as well as two coxswains are needed for each class. One of these three individuals is expected to be "lead instructor" and to take responsibility for instruction and direction within each class. 
   
5. Collecting and distributing substitute list for the use of instructors when needed.
   
6. Greeting all classes on first day of class. Helps instructors with any last minute registrations, collects checks, waivers, and swim tests.
   
7. Teaching at least one class during the summer. 
   
8. Teaching additional classes if lead instructors cannot be identified, but no more than 2.
   
9. Acting as a substitute LTR instructor
   
10. Serve on the LTR Committee (as do all lead instructors) 
    
11. Taking and preparing LTR Committee meeting minutes
    
12. Working with Novice coach during 2 week free boot camp in April and during season to smooth transition of students from LTR to Novice group
    
13. Submitting class photos for MRC social media (FB, Twitter, and Instagram)
    
14. Assisting with National LTR Day (first Saturday in June)
    

Congratulations to the June and July Learn to Row Graduates! Nice work and we look forward to seeing you at Novice Practice.

Congratulations to the May Learn to Row Graduates! Nice work and we look forward to seeing at Novice Practice.

National Learn to Row Day had an incredible turnout of guests and club members, fantastic weather, great snacks, and good camaraderie.  It was a great day of collegial connection with Camp Randall Rowing Club coaches and rowers as well.  May all these good things continue and build!  Thanks to all the volunteers, and in particular to Sarah Howard who did a fabulous job of organizing and keeping things running smoothly.

Thank you to:

Cory Berkbigler and Liz Klapheke for being our dedicated coxswains this spring. We love you.

Janet Balster, Sarah Howard, Casey O'Keefe, Nicki Paulson, and Nick Van Sciver for helping out at the Madison Water Sport Expo.

Fran Breit, Kathy Campbell, Nancy Jarvis, Mary Moody, Laura Robbins, and Clarisse van der Fetz for helping with our garden.

Ben Bradford, Fran Breit, and Nancy Jarvis for participating in Rent-a-Rower.

Aldrin Abastillas, Kurt Amann, Fran Breit, Kathy Campbell, Harlan Hall, Nancy Jarvis, Mark Ketilson, Casey O’Keefe, Mireille Raby, Todd Thompson for your generous donation to the MRC Boat Fund.

Kathryn Pereira, Nancy Jarvis, Nick Van Sciver, Sarah Howard, Harlan Hall, and Ben Bradford for teaching our May LTR students. 

If a dedicated coxswain is not able to pass a swim test, they may take the test wearing a life jacket, life vest or their own automatic inflatable floatation device. The coxswain must wear a life jacket, life vest or their own automatic inflatable flotation device at all times while in a boat. 

If a rower is not able to pass a swim test, they may take the test wearing a personal automatic inflatable flotation device. The rower must wear their own person automatic inflatable flotation device at all times while in a boat. 

Personal automatic inflatable flotation device must be accompanied with a new cartridge when participant is in a boat. 

Please take note of the following changes to the Club Rules:

If a rower violates¹ any of the club or sculling rules (set forth in the Sculler’s Manual) the consequences will be as follows:

First violation - 
Rower will get a warning.

Second violation -
Rower will not be boated for two weeks. If the rower is an independent sculler he/she will not be allowed to scull for two weeks. If a regatta is scheduled during those two weeks he/she will not be allowed to race.

Third violation -
Rower will be considered for membership suspension.

¹Infractions are at coaches' discretion with appeals to the board.

Remember all members are required to read the Club Rules and in addition, scullers are required to the read the Sculler’s Manual annually.  The rules are meant for your safety, the safety of our equipment and the security of our boathouse. If you have not read the rules this year now would be a good time to do it so you don’t find yourself in violation.