Students who enjoy the outdoors, an enduring workout and a challenge can join one organization that offers all three: the Crew Club.
The Crew Club, heading into its second year of existence at Saint Louis University, operates under the direction of the Department of Campus Recreation.
Lisa Yelling, founder of the Crew Club, started the club last spring. Yelling organized the club after finding out there was no rowing team at SLU.
After intensive training this winter, the Crew Club is ready to begin training outdoors and is looking forward to competing this spring. “Being on Crew is a great workout,” said Alice Chiu, vice-president. “From the workouts, I have increased my strength and endurance.”
But members of Crew have not been sitting on their butts all winter. During the winter season, the club participates in indoor conditioning at the St. Louis Rowing Club. Practices are five days a week at either 7 a.m. or 7:30 p.m. The club practices on Errs, a machine that mimics the motion of rowing.
When the warm weather arrives, Crew will start rowing on a real lake. After spring break, the club will begin its practices at 6 a.m. at Creve Coeur Lake.
This past fall Crew participated in three competitions. They took first place in the Mixed 4 and Mixed 8 competitions against other colleges and universities. The club is heading into spring competitions with eight men and 12 women members.
“Crew is a tougher sport than it looks. You really have to work as a team,” Chiu said.
Volunteer Scott Allison, who rowed in college, is the club’s current coach. St. Louis Rowing Club is providing the Crew Club with support. Currently the club uses its equipment, paying dues of $200 per member.
Crew continues to seek funds and support in hopes of getting its own equipment. The club is planning on purchasing a new set of oars. Crew sells T-shirts to offset the costs. One of the biggest fund-raisers that members participate in is the Err-A-Thon.
Crew is open to both experienced and novice rowers. Students who are interested in rowing and joining the Crew Club are encouraged to join in the fall.
