The boat sits motionless, but the air is charged with anticipation. Every breath, every grip, every heartbeat and blade sharpen at the start. Then silence breaks, and everything explodes into motion.
It may be hard to imagine the grueling and rigorous sport of rowing thriving in the heart of Chicago, yet the Chicago Rowing Foundation (CRF) has built a successful program there for more than 25 years. And to cap off a remarkable 2026 season, CRF is making history, sending its top women’s crew to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta, one of the most prestigious rowing events in the world. It marks a first for both the organization and for an Illinois-based team.
Held annually in England, the Henley Royal Regatta attracts competitors ranging from junior athletes to Olympians and is widely considered one of the sport’s most prestigious events. For CRF’s Women’s Varsity 8+, the opportunity represents the culmination of years of discipline, ambition, and hard work.
“I’m so proud of how ambitious and driven our crew has been this season,” says Mike Wallin, CRF Director of Rowing and Head Coach. “They have been determined to compete at the top level and put in the extra work to get there. This is the hardest-working team I have ever coached.”
That work has already translated into success. The Women’s Varsity 8+ took gold at the Midwest Junior Rowing Championships, helping secure a first-place overall finish for CRF’s women’s team. The momentum continued as they set their sights on the USRowing Youth National Championships in Sarasota, where they finished second in the nation, behind the two-time defending national champions from Rye, New York. The crews will match up again in England.
But for this team, the goal extends beyond medals.
“This is about more than racing,” Wallin adds. “They’ve built something together, something defined by resilience, discipline, and a shared commitment to excellence. They’ve earned this moment.”
Programs like CRF highlight the role youth sports can play in building confidence, leadership skills, and educational opportunities, particularly when financial barriers are removed. Research has also shown that girls who participate in sports are more likely to report higher levels of confidence and leadership aspirations, making access to opportunities like rowing especially meaningful for young women.
“I truly believe that CRF has one of the best after-school programs in the city of Chicago,” says Maida Wallin, Executive Director. “Through our scholarship program, we’ve made rowing accessible to any Chicago youth who wants to pursue it.”
For the athletes, the impact reaches far beyond the water and far beyond just one boat. Rowing is a sport that takes heart and brings out the best in its athletes.
“They’re building life skills like grit, resilience, and self-advocacy,” she says. “Those lessons stay with them, in college, in their careers, and in their communities.”
That impact is already visible. Many CRF athletes continue rowing at collegiate programs across the country, carrying forward both their athletic training and the sense of possibility the program instills. Now beyond its 25th year, CRF has helped athletes achieve success both on and off the water, including:
- $1,750,000 in rowing scholarships
- Midwest titles and national champions
- $5,000,000 awarded for college athletic scholarships and financial aid
Now, as the Women’s Varsity 8+ prepares to represent Chicago on an international stage, their journey stands as both an athletic milestone and a broader story of access and achievement.
“They will make Chicago proud,” Wallin says. “And at Henley, the world will be watching.”
How to Help
Support the Chicago Rowing Foundation’s mission to make rowing accessible to young people across Chicago. Donations help fund scholarships, equipment, coaching, and travel opportunities, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from participating in the sport.
Your support helps provide access to a program that builds confidence, leadership skills, teamwork, and perseverance while creating opportunities that can extend far beyond the water.
Maida Wallin has been the executive director at the Chicago Rowing Foundation for 15 years and has coached with the program for 20 years. A proud Chicago native and alumni of the program herself, Maida was a scholarship athlete while on the team, leading the team to its first ever Youth National appearance in 2004. After graduating from the team and Lincoln Park High School, she earned a scholarship with the UCLA women’s rowing team, earning two letters during her time there. Maida currently coaches the U17 Women’s squad, the middle school team, and directs summer camps. She has led her squads to 17 regional titles and one national title (2026). Maida is a Bosnian refugee who immigrated to Chicago in 1994. She lives in Wilmette with her daughters Emma and Bella, and her husband Mike, director of rowing and head coach at CRF. Together, they hope to continue CRFs strong tradition of coaching high performing crews on the Chicago River and opening pathways to college for all of Chicagoland’s youth.
This post was submitted as part of our “You Said It” program.” Your voice, ideas, and engagement are important to help us accomplish our mission. We encourage you to share your ideas and efforts to make the world a better place by submitting a “You Said It,” which can earn a nonprofit that you champion a $1,000 donation from the Make It Better Foundation and eligibility for a Philanthropy Award, grant content partnership, and greater engagement with our audience.
