About us
36 years on the water
a unique combination of adventure and competition
Experience Milwaukee’s serene waterways, the city skyline, and glide under the Hoan Bridge, all while building strength, mental toughness, and lifelong friendships. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much fun a morning on the water can be!
We practice on the Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers and watch sunrises over Lake Michigan in the warmer months, with our own space in Humphrey Hall to use over the winter season.
With both men’s and women’s novice and varsity crews in shells of 4+s and 8+s, our team is welcome to any student enrolled at Marquette University, with or without prior rowing experience. You do not need to know your port from your starboard, we teach you everything!
Our history
Founded by two women with a mission
In 1990, students Liz Shanahan and Beth Ohmann started a rowing club after learning the University didn’t have one. What began as a handful of students and borrowed equipment grew, year over year, into a program fielding full men’s and women’s squads.
Where we row
Milwaukee is our teammate
Our boathouse sits on the Menomonee River, connecting us to Downtown via the Milwaukee River, and the vast Lake Michigan.
When the Wisconsin winter freezes the rivers, the team moves into our erg room in Humphrey Hall. Here, we focus on preparing for the Spring season through technical workouts.
A competitive club team
we row toe-to-toe
We do not hold tryouts, cut anyone, nor offer athletic scholarships, and do not actively recruit high-school rowers. And every Fall and Spring we compete against programs that do — racing the Milwaukee River Challenge, Head of the Rock, Head of the Hooch, and the MACRA and ICRI championships.
Ready to row?
Your seat in the boat is open.
No tryouts, no cuts, no experience required. We look forward to meeting you!
Fill out the interest form