We are continuing to put together all the pieces that keep the season running smoothly! This is an exceptionally newsy newsletter, so remember that the Action Items For This Week section lets you know what is the most “critical” and time-sensitive if you’re in a hurry.
1. *NEW* GAUGING INTEREST IN A PRACTICE BUS
2. *NEW* FIT FOR A KING FUNDRAISER
3. *NEW* JOIN THE BOARD!
4. NEW ATHLETE SWIM TEST, SAT., FEB 10
5. *NEW* VASRA PRE-SEASON WORK DAYS
6. *SAVE THE DATE* ON-THE-WATER MEETING, THU., FEB 15
7. *NEW* PARENT SOCIAL – SAT., MARCH 2, 6-9p
8. MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
9. REGISTER FOR WOODSON ROWING
10. HELP US BUILD A SUCCESSFUL TEAM
11. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS
ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK
- Sign up NLT 2/9/2024 if you are interested in using the practice bus (1)
- Participate in the Fit for a King Fundraiser (2)
- Review volunteer needs for one that fits you (3)(5)(8)
- Identify sponsors for Woodson Rowing (10)
- SAVE THE DATES:
– 2/15/24, 730p, on-the-water meeting (6)
– 3/2/24, 6-9p, parent and guardian social. RSVP (7)
1. *NEW* GAUGING INTEREST IN A PRACTICE BUS
The Board is in the process of determining whether a practice bus will be cost effective this year. As some of you may know, last year there was not enough interest, so athletes and parents formed carpools to travel to Sandy Run for practices.
In order to provide a bus service, we must sign up a minimum number of riders. If we don’t reach a minimum number of riders we will revert to using carpools. The cost per rider is determined based on sign ups and if we don’t reach 45 riders, we must re-evaluate. While the cost has not been locked in, based on discussions with the providers, projected costs as are follows:
- 45 riders, each rider pays approximately $733.
- 50 riders, each rider pays approximately $660.
- 55 riders, each rider pays approximately $600
As always, this is not a fundraiser for the team. The bus fee is directly based on the bus cost. The practice bus will run Mondays-Thursdays, departing directly from Woodson at 3:30 PM and returning to Woodson around 7 PM. Families are responsible for transporting athletes on Fridays and Saturdays. The practice bus also would not run on early dismissal days or school holidays.
Sign up for the practice bus here. Intent to use the bus must be indicated NLT Friday, 2/9/2024. Payment is not required at this time. If it is determined that a bus is cost effective, we will be in touch with those who sign up to coordinate payment. Please also note that parent chaperones are REQUIRED for the practice bus as each trip to and from the river MUST have a chaperone. Parents of athletes who will be riding the practice bus will need to sign up to chaperone at least one day. Should it be cost effective to run a practice bus, a sign up genius will be made available for planning and coordinating chaperone duties.
2. *NEW* FIT FOR A KING FUNDRAISER
Celebrate Mardi Gras with a Gambino’s King Cake! The Obruba family has 50 traditional cakes and 30 cream cheese filled cakes available on a first come, first served basis. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Woodson Rowing, so laissez les bons temps rouler and benefit the team at the same time!
Reserve your order by emailing Emmy Obruba (mom to athletes Xander and Nathaniel) at [email protected]. Payment will be via PayPal or Venmo. TEXT ONLY (no calls, please) to 757-613-2862 if you have questions.
Pick up your order on Sunday, Feb 10 between 1-5p at 3992 Briarbush Way, Fairfax, VA 22031.
3. *NEW* JOIN THE BOARD!
We are seeking to fulfill two roles on the Board. Stepping up for these critical roles satisfies ALL of your volunteer credits for the season. Both positions have outgoing members in them, so you won’t be going it alone! Please contact Bill at [email protected] to learn more.
- Secretary. This position entails finalizing agendas for monthly board meetings, recording, preparing and distributing meeting minutes, and maintaining files of all meeting minutes. The Secretary also coordinates the annual End-of-Year party/meeting.
- Fundraising Chair. This can definitely be a job sharing position! The ideal Fundraising Chair is willing to put together and manage a team of volunteers who help organize and coordinate fundraising activities for the team. You work closely with the VP for Communications and the Volunteer Coordinator. You also sit as a member of the Board of Directors and help guide the team in support of the team’s financial plan.
4. NEW ATHLETE SWIM TEST, SAT., FEB 10
The next swim test is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 10:00-11:00a. If you are a new rower or coxswain and have not yet done a swim test, you are REQUIRED to pass a swim test certified by Woodson Rowing prior to participating in on-the-water practices. Passage of this test is required only once. If you have completed a swim test in prior seasons, you don’t need to do it again.
Swim Tests are held at Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA. This Sign-Up Genius has all the info you will need to succeed.
5. *NEW* VASRA PRE-SEASON WORK DAYS
As part of our participation in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA), our team is required to help with VASRA clean up days at Sandy Run. We need at least one person (parent/guardian OR athlete) to work a shift on EACH of the following four Saturdays: 2/17, 2/24, 3/2 and 3/9. Use this Sign up Genius and don’t forget to indicate that you are representing the Woodson Rowing team.
Note: Athletes are encouraged to sign up for these workdays. You will receive school volunteering credits for participating!
6. *SAVE THE DATE* ON-THE-WATER MEETING, THU., FEB 15
The Board will host an on-the-water meeting for parents and athletes on Thursday, February 15 at 7:30p (location TBD – mostly likely Woodson Cafeteria). Join us to learn what to expect once the competitive regatta season starts. We will share important information for novice and returning parents alike. Athletes are welcome to attend. Board representatives and coaches will be on hand to answer questions. If you cannot attend, we will share a link to the slides following the meeting.
7. *NEW* PARENT SOCIAL – SAT., MARCH 2, 6-9p
We hope you can join us at a Parent/Guardian Social on Saturday, March 2 at the home of Maz and Fredy Chinoy from 6-9p. This is an opportunity to get to know other parents, meet some coaches and members of the board and learn more about the sport and season. This gathering is a potluck! Please RSVP and bring something to share. Wine will be provided by our hosts, but feel free to bring any other beverage of choice. The RSVP Sign Up Genius lists the location and directions, so make sure you check it out!
8. MORE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
With the season around the corner, volunteer opportunities are going to be constantly opening up. So, please stay tuned to the weekly newsletters OR bookmark our Volunteering webpage to stay on top of how to play your part in making this an amazing season.
- VASRA LOC POSITIONS: Woodson Rowing is required to fill two Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) Local Organizing Committee (LOC) positions for this season, one Dockmaster position and one River Rat position. LOC members are part of the Regatta staff and work the same job for the entire day for every regatta and train the weekly volunteers who assist them on how to perform their duties. No prior experience is required and training will be provided. More details on our website under VASRA Volunteering. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Michael Chase, our VASRA Rep, at [email protected].
- BOATHOUSE WORKDAY: Our next Boathouse workday will be on Saturday, February 10 from 9-11a. Help the coaches get everything ready for on-the-water practice and the beginning of the season! Sign Up Here.
- SEEKING COORDINATORS: We are in the search for parents or guardians who are willing to help us coordinate various events throughout the season. Think carpooling, onsite coordination at away regattas, and more. Please see the Volunteer webpage for more info and for who to contact if you’re interested!
9. REGISTER FOR WOODSON ROWING
Registrations are down for the year – so we need you!! Click here to register for the season if you haven’t yet! Still have questions? Reach out to our membership team at [email protected].
If the cost of participating is an issue, please reach out to Jenn Ros, membership chair via Slack or [email protected]. Also, consider applying for the Occoquan Boat Club (OBC) Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship. The details on applying are located on the OBC website https://www.rowobc.org/home/scholarships. The application deadline is January 27, 2024. Direct any questions to Clint Spooner at [email protected]. **Please note, Woodson Rowing is not affiliated with OBC and is not at all involved in this scholarship process.**
10. HELP US BUILD A SUCCESSFUL TEAM
Unfortunately there has been a short-fall in our fundraising to date. As a result, we are looking to get creative about ways to fund the team. One of the ways you can help is to identify people or companies who might be willing to sponsor our team. The good news: all you need to do is pass on contact information to our Fundraising Chair, Ana. She will take care of making the calls and doing the asking. All upside, with little-to-no downside! Send your sponsor suggestions to Ana at [email protected] or on Slack.
11. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS
FEBRUARY
- Registration for the season continues.
- Sat. 2/3: ErgSprints
- Sat. 2/10: Swim test, 10-11a
- Sat. 2/10: Boathouse Workday, 9-11a
- Thu. 2/15: on-the-water parent meeting, in-person, 7:30p
- Fri. 2/16: Last day of winter conditioning
- Sat. 2/17: VASRA Pre-Season Workday #1. Sign up here.
- Mon. 2/19: Deadline for returning athlete refunds
- Mon. 2/19: Practice begins. Baseline erg testing at school. Time TBD.
- Tue. 2/20: On-the-water practice begins. (M-F: 4-6:30p; Sa: 8:30-10:30a)
- Tue. 2/20: Virtual Tag Day! Info to follow.
- Thu. 2/22: Mamma Lucia restaurant fundraiser, 11a-8p
- Sat. 2/24: VASRA Pre-Season Workday #2. Sign up here.
- Thu 2/29: Team picture day. More details to follow.
MARCH – Racing season begins! 2024 Racing Schedule
- Sat. 3/2: Launch Boat Driver Training, 11a-1p.
- Sat. 3/2: VASRA Pre-Season Workday #3. Sign up here.
- Sat. 3/2: Parent/Guardian Social, 6-9p. RSVP.
- Thu. 3/7: Deadline for novice athlete refunds
- Sat. 3/9: VASRA Pre-Season Workday #4. Sign up here.
- Wed. 3/13: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
- Sat. 3/16: Polar Bear Regatta, Sandy Run
- Sat. 3/23: Regional Park Regatta, Sandy Run
- Sat. 3/30: Invitational at St. Andrews, Middletown, DE
APRIL
- Sat. 4/6: Tri-Meet, Anacostia River, Washington, DC
- Sat. 4/13: Bye Week. No racing.
- Sat. 4/20: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta, Sandy Run
- Wed. 4/24: Panera restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
- Sat. 4/27: Al Urquia Regatta, Sandy Run
MAY
- Sat. 5/4: Virginia State Championship (Day 1), Sandy Run
- Sat. 5/11: Virginia State Championship (Day 2), Sandy Run
- Fri-Sat. 5/17-18: Stotesbury Cup Regatta, Philadelphia, PA
- Fri-Sat. 5/24-25: SRAA National Championships Regatta, Camden, NJ
(Only qualifying boats attend.)