A Tour of Community Rowing Clubs in the Midwest

Wishigan’s Team Dory awaits the beginning of practice.

After their New England tour of several gig rowing clubs, CLC colleagues Nicky Stimpson and Jay Hockenberry visited a few rowing clubs in the Midwest on their drive back to Annapolis from the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival. After steering the CLC truck and trailer east for four days, a stop in Wisconsin and Michigan to get on the water was a welcome break.

Their first stop was Wishigan Team Rowing in Marinette, Wisconsin. The Club rows on the Menominee River, which forms part of the border between Wisconsin and Michigan. The club was started in 2013 by boatbuilder Mike Kushman and by Scott Craw, a former Navy shipbuilder.

Wishigan’s Team Dories in their seasonal storage.

The club started with one CLC Team Dory on loan from CLC. Since then, they have built two more Team Dories, which they row often. The original ‘loaner’ is now available to other area groups. CLC designed the Team Dory in 2012 with community rowing clubs as their target audience. It is available in 23’9” and 26’ lengths. Its manageable size and fast, easy construction has made it a popular choice for racing, recreational rowing, or youth boatbuilding programs.

There are about 30 active members in Wishigan Rowing. They participate in monthly regattas during the warmer months, competing against other area clubs. During their visit, Nicky and Jay took up oars and spoke with a few members of the group. Nicky, a former US Naval Academy rowing coach, offered coaching and coxing lessons, which were welcomed by the team.

Entrance at Hands on Deck, Green Bay, WI.

One team that Wishigan’s competes with often comes from a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Green Bay called Hands on Deck. This education and youth mentoring program serves over 50 students a week in their boatbuilding and industrial arts classes. Aside from the carpentry skills, They help teens and young adults develop independence, self-reliance, a sense of order, and a desire to work through challenges, all while producing something both beautiful and useful.

Nicky made sure that she and Jay arrived at Hands on Deck in time to enjoy their Pizza for a Purpose, an event that raises money for HoD by selling wood-fired pizzas on Thursdays and Friday evenings in the summer. Earlier in the day, they caught up with John Seaman, who organizes the adult rowing teams. The teams use two CLC Team Dories built by Hands on Deck volunteers.

On the water in Hands on Deck’s Team Dory.

John invited rowers from Hands on Deck as well as rowers from nearby Row Sheboygan to meet with Nicky and Jay. The two groups provided feedback on their Team Dories and queried Nicky about rowing technique. Nicky was more than happy to geek-out on rowing on land which led to a technique session on the water. The group seemed to enjoy the instruction and Nicky was more than happy to bark orders from the coxswain's seat.

Still smiling after a row with Hands on Deck and Row Sheboygan.

The Team Dory is also in use at a few other midwestern organizations. One of them was Jay and Nicky’s last stop. All Hands Boatworks in Milwaukee was started by Bill Nimke in 2013 as an organization that uses boatbuilding to connect with youth. Since 2013, they have served over 6,000 students and built around 150 boats! Children as young as 10 can participate in their introductory woodworking and boatbuilding classes or enjoy week-long summer camps that offer time in the boat shop and on the water. Older students have additional opportunities to participate in their mentoring program, job skill development, and paid internships.