Jodi Rohlwing-Hettich is a board member with the Crystal Lake Rowing Club, a century-old institution that has had to cancel their rowing season for the spring and expects to cancel their summer season as well.

“It’s been very disappointing,” Rohlwing-Hettich said. “Our kid members range from eighth (grade) to seniors. My son is a senior this year and this is his last season. It’s just been disappointing.”

Crystal Lake Rowing Club already lost most of their spring season and with health clubs closed, the team doesn’t get the practice they’re used to heading into a summer season she’s already anticipating will be canceled.

Rohlwing-Hettich said they are limited to one and two person boats, which only work with experienced rowers; they train beginners on four and eight person boats because they’re less likely to tip over.

“The summer is when we do our training and we only have a few regatas then,” Rohlwing-Hettich said. “It’s the first time we get our eighth graders out on the water. It takes a lot of strength and a lot of endurance, and a lot of technique. It’s a full body sport and training on the water is really important.”

Despite missing some training, the club still plans to get the kids on the water once they’re able.

“Our main concern will be making sure everyone is safe both on the boat and off the boat, in regards to coronavirus,” Rohlwing-Hettich said. “Everyone will have clean equipment and they’ll be wearing masks when they’re off the boat. We’ll keep the same people paired together.”