ABOUT THE TEAM
Our first season was in the Spring of 2015. Rowing is a Co-Ed Club Sport with spring, fall, and winter seasons. We are a CO-OP team for Spring Lake High School and Grand Haven High School. All academically eligible high school-age students in the SL and GH areas are welcome including home school students. Rowers can join whichever season works best around their other activities. Rowing is easy to learn. It mainly requires a strong work ethic, determination, and team spirit. With the right attitude, anyone can learn to row; with perseverance, he/she can build the physical strength and ability to compete. Unlike many other sports that require elite training from a young age, rowing is something many high school athletes could easily continue to do at a collegiate level. The team rows out of Spring Lake Middle School Grand River access, south of the soccer fields and west of the football field. On the river, we have a large floating dock for dry launching. If you are new to rowing, please see our website FAQs section under the MENU tab for general information on what to wear and bring to practice. Scroll down for info about how to sign up for team communications. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
NEWSLETTER DECEMBER 2025
SPRING SEASON 2026
Beginning March 16, 2026, practices will be M-Th 4:30 – 6:20 PM and Sat. 8:30 – 11:30 AM
Until water and air temperatures are warm enough for outdoor training, practices will continue to be held indoors at White Pines Middle School Gym Balcony in Grand Haven (the location of our winter training). Weather permitting, the on-water location is at Spring Lake Middle School, Grand River Frontage off Hammond Rd, Spring Lake.
Fees are $350 for the season.
Spring Regattas
• 3/21/2026 – Grand Rapids Spring Sprints (no practice this day)
• 4/18/26 – Belted Galloway – Saturday Sprints – Forest Hills Boathouse, Ada, MI
• 4/25/26 – GR Invitational, Riverside Park, GR, MI
• 5/09/26 & 5/10/26 – Midwest Scholastic Championships (Select Boats) – Milford, MI
• 5/16/26 – Michigan State Championships – Milford, MI
If you are new to the club, please sign up below for Remind.com notices.
If you have any questions, please email the team using the form below.
SPRING 2026 – MIDDLE SCHOOL ROWING
SLGH Crew is a co-ed, club sport open to all West Michigan students. The middle school program provides 7th and 8th-graders with an introduction to rowing. Kids will learn the fundamentals of rowing technique on land (using rowing machines, or “ergs”) and on the water in a safe, fun environment. Participants will master essential skills, including identifying boat parts, navigating rowing commands, and proper boat handling. Through teamwork and discipline, rowers will build strength, confidence, and camaraderie, preparing them for future competitive success on the high school team. No experience is necessary.
Dates & Practice Times
5/4/26 to 6/3/26 (5 weeks)
Mondays & Wednesdays, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
* No practice on 5/25 (Memorial Day)
Location
SLGH Crew Docks located behind the lacrosse field at Spring Lake Middle School, 345 Hammond St. Spring Lake, MI 49456
Who Can Participate
7th and 8th-grade boys and girls from all area schools.
Cost
$100 per athlete (financial assistance available upon request)
REMIND.COM We use the remind.com group text messaging app for broadcasting important quick messages to the team and parents during the season (especially helpful for location changes due to weather and for updates at regattas). Below are the instructions on how to join the SLGH Crew group:
FUNDRAISING: Our program exists only because of generous private and corporate donations. We rely on continued support to keep the team afloat. Funds raised go towards purchasing equipment such as rowing shells, oars, rigging, shoes, speakers, life-jackets, tools, trailers, tents, motor boats, indoor rowing machines, etc. Each high school rower pays a participation fee per season to help with operating costs such as rent, insurance, fuel, mileage and coaching expenses. If you would like to make a tax deductible financial contribution to our team, you may do so using our online payment system or buy mailing a check. CLICK HERE TO DONATE ONLINE
THANK YOU: A big thank you to our generous sponsors. Without your support, we would not be able to teach the competitive sport of rowing to a new generation. Thank you!
LEADERSHIP: Spring Lake Crew Club, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization founded to support the SLHS Rowing Team and the GHHS Rowing Team.
- Paul Winter – President and Coach
- Amanda Rantanen – Secretary and Substitute Coach (GVSU Rowing Alumni)
- Amanda Rantanen (temporarily) – Treasurer
- Jeff Pipp – Member at Large and Substitute Coach (MSU Rowing Alumni)
- Rachel Twa – Member at Large
- Danielle Fogel – Member at Large
- Ryan Schmoekel – Member at Large
- Emma Nelson – Varsity / JV Coach (EMU Rowing Alumni)
If you would like more information, please email the team:
Spring Lake Crew Club, Inc. 