hnews_0805_CL_Rowers
From left: Megan Laird of Lake in the Hills, 15, Ellyn Grigson of Barrington, 14, Anna Borg of Crystal Lake, 14, Scarlett Quinn of Crystal Lake, 15, and Abbey Zaletel of Lakewood, 14, practice during a clinic for the Crystal Lake Rowing Club Juniors on Crystal Lake on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020 in Crystal Lake. Though competitions have been canceled through 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team is able to continue practices as a low-risk sport, with manditory masks worn on land. "It was really fun," said Ellyn Grigson of Barrington, 14. "It's not something you can pick up like that. It takes some practice." Grigson is one of four potential new members who attended Wednesday's clinic and has been boating before but the sport of rowing is new to her. "It wasn't really too hard. I really like boating," she added. Rowing instructor and former club member Alex Jimenez of Lake in the Hills, 20, was a member of the club throughout his four years in high school at Crystal Lake South and has joined the rowing club at Northwestern University, where he is entering his third year. Over the summers since aging out of the club, Jimenez likes to help out by attending practices and teaching a newer generation of rowers. "They pick it up really quickly. This is a really good group. They're good at motivating each other," he said, noting that the turnout among potential newer members is a little smaller than in years past due to the pandemic. "We're all very hopeful looking forward," he added, looking forward to competing in the US Rowing national competition in May. In the two years Jiminez has been helping out since going to college, he has seen formerly new members Gavin Kempf-Kutemeier and Rhianna Petersen, both 15 and of Crystal Lake, mature as rowers and become leaders in the club. "They really are model rowers," he said of Kempf-Kutemeier and Petersen. Staying active with the group has helped Jiminez as well. "It makes me feel like I've done good. Like I've helped people find a new sport." The club is open to youth in grades 8 through 12 and is always looking for new talent among interested athletes. This week's clinic continues Thursday, but another clinic is scheduled for next week on Aug. 11 through 13 from 6 am to 8 am and costs $150 for the three-day session with a limit of 8 participants per session. No experience is required but participants must be able to tread water for 10 minutes without assistance, and masks must be worn on land to comply with state guidelines.