PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Forest Hills Central High School Rowing Team was established in 1995. Averaging 80 - 100 rowers per season, the co-ed team represents the largest athletic program at Forest Hills Central High School. With an impressive historical list of accomplishments, and with many of our rowers going on to compete at the collegiate level, the team has earned a reputation as one of the top high school rowing programs in the state.
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The team is open to any student with a sincere interest in learning competitive rowing. Rowing is a no-cut sport at Forest Hills Central High School. Our goal is simple: To provide a competitive, supportive, and fulfilling rowing experience for everyone on our team. The FHC Rowing Team is a tight-knit group of individuals who learn the power of teamwork and build a large network of friends they will enjoy for years after they graduate.
Students must register and pay a fee to participate on the team. Fees are used to help fund:
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The team's operational budget
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Team uniforms
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Regatta entrance fees
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Food for rowers and coaches during regattas
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Gas for launches
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Equipment/maintenance
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Coaching stipends
The FHC Crew Team is supported by the FHC Crew Boosters which raises funds and seeks sponsorship throughout the year to help offset costs not covered by participation fees.
The team practices at the Forest Hills Boathouse which is shared by all three Forest Hills High School Rowing Teams (including FHE and FHN).
Our Seasons
Our team participates in regattas in both the Fall and Spring. These regattas, or races, pit the Forest Hills Central Team against rowing teams from other schools and, in some cases, other states. During both our Fall season we participate primarily in local regattas. In the Spring seasons, we host regattas in Grand Rapids and travel to compete in cities in Michigan like Milford and Orchard Lake. We also travel to an invitational in St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Our Fall program is a great opportunity for returning athletes to maintain their conditioning and gain valuable rowing and racing experience. For new Novice rowers, it is a chance to get a jump on entering our sport to prepare for what is ahead with winter conditioning and the Spring season.
Winter Conditioning
In January, the team begins winter conditioning. Athletes work out on ergometers (erg for short). These machines were designed to provide a good simulation of the rowing stroke and a useful, comparable measure of the work being done. During winter conditioning, our athletes also lift weights, run, and stretch to prepare for the Spring season.
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New to the sport? Learn more in Rowing 101. If you have questions or would like to speak with Coach Ross about joining the team, please contact us.