About ROW4ALL
Row4All is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, based and operated in North Chicago Suburbs, USA
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create an accessible and welcoming space where youth and adults can explore, engage, and enjoy rowing.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to get more people involved in rowing.
OUR PURPOSE
Our purpose is to make rowing more accessible to all by offering scholarships that help families overcome financial barriers, rowing classes for youth (10+) and adults, beginners and competitive rowers, using open water singles that are safe and fit all ages and levels, and providing free online rowing resources to learn more about the sport.
Core Values
& Guiding Principles
Accessibility
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We offer rowing programs for people of all ages (10+) and abilities.
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We use versatile open water single sculls that accommodate all levels of rowing.
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We make rowing more inclusive and accessible by providing scholarship programs to overcome financial barriers.
Growth
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We provide a supportive environment that encourages learning, exploration, and resilience.
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We strive to inspire people to reach their full potential and become the best versions of themselves.
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We foster a growth mindset by focusing on the process rather than the outcome.
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We help others build resilience to failure by encouraging risk-taking and accepting mistakes as a normal part of the learning process and growth.
Community
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We create a safe and welcoming environment where people with similar interests connect with each other and build a sense of belonging.
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We offer mentorship programs for young people to develop their leadership skills.
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We promote environmental stewardship towards protecting natural habitats and water systems within our community.
About the coach
Josip Stolar
|educator
|coach
|Athlete
|Family
I am a middle school Physical Education Teacher with a strong passion for making a positive impact on my students’ lives, and helping them develop a healthy lifestyle.
My goal has always been to guide athletes and inspire them to reach their full potential. I find achieving this goal and witnessing the transformative power of rowing to be one of the most rewarding experiences. This amazing feeling of accomplishment, together with realization that I made an impact and have contributed to my athletes’ successes, whether it is excelling in school, getting into a college, winning National Championships, or representing our country at the World Rowing Championships, is what drives my passion for coaching.
I have been an athlete my whole life and I embraced physical activity as one of the fundamental parts of my lifestyle.
I love to explore and learn about different sports and athletic activities, and consider myself a multi-sport athlete.
As a competitive rower, I performed on the international stage where I represented the Croatian National team at the Junior and Under23 World Rowing Championships. On a national level, I was a Croatian National Champion, and after I moved to the United States a USRowing Masters National Champion.
Nowadays, I row for fun, for fitness, to stay healthy, and to inspire others.
My family means the world to me, and the main purpose in my life is to provide them with unconditional support and love by being the best father and husband I can be.
My
Experience
I am a trained professional with over 30 years of rowing experience, and more than 15 years experience as a Physical Education teacher. I have been coaching rowing at New Trier High School, and teaching PE in middle school for over 10 years now. During this time I have been organizing and running various rowing camps and classes for different programs in the North Chicago Suburbs.
While doing this, I recognized that there are very limited opportunities to row in single sculls, and generally to engage in the sport unless you are a part of the high school or competitive rowing club program. In addition, I believe the community would benefit from more rowing options in the off season during the summer and winter months.
With this in mind I started Row4All, a place that offers structured and guided programs, and supports rowing for all.
I earned my undergraduate degree from University of Zagreb, Croatia where I studied Kinesiology, the Science of Sport. My minor was in Strength and Conditioning focused on specializing in resistance training. I continued my education, and earned a Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology from University of North Georgia.
I am a US Rowing Level II Coach.
Get in Touch
Have questions about our services or programs? Send us a message and we will get back to you shortly!