Slack is our main hub for quick updates, carpool coordination, and team chatter.
Parents: Email [email protected] with 1️⃣ Your name 2️⃣ Your email 3️⃣ Your athlete’s name
You’ll get an invite link!
Athletes: Coaches will add you to the team Slack. 🧠 Use a non-FCPS email address to join!
This newsletter is our other major information source. If you were forwarded this newsletter or are reading it online and would prefer it to arrive in your inbox, visit https://groups.google.com/g/woodsonrowingupdates/ and ask to join the group.
📅 CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE October
Oct 23: Final Green Days
Oct 25: 1st Tag Day
Oct 31: Craft Show setup
November
Nov 1: 32nd Annual Craft Show
Nov 7: Football concessions
Nov 8: Boat-house workday
December
Dec 1: Winter Conditioning begins. See schedule here
Slack is our main hub for quick updates, carpool coordination, and team chatter.
Parents: Email [email protected] with 1️⃣ Your name 2️⃣ Your email 3️⃣ Your athlete’s name
You’ll get an invite link!
Athletes: Coaches will add you to the team Slack. 🧠 Use a non-FCPS email address to join!
This newsletter is our other major information source. If you were forwarded this newsletter or are reading it online and would prefer it to arrive in your inbox, visit https://groups.google.com/g/woodsonrowingupdates/ and ask to join the group.
Updates for athletes, parents, and supporters of Woodson Rowing.
We’re testing out a new format to make this newsletter easier to read in your inbox. Have feedback or ideas? We’d love to hear them! Email us at [email protected].
Silent Auction: Commit by October 24. [Sign Up →] HERE
Tag Day: October 25. All athletes & adult drivers needed. [Sign Up →] HERE
Craft Show: We need BAKE SALE items! 👨🏼🍳[Sign Up →] HERE
👉 View all open volunteer shifts Volunteering isn’t just a box to check — it’s a chance to meet other families, share laughs, and be part of something bigger that benefits all our athletes!
💬 In this issue: last chance Green Days!, registration info, required forms, new swag and staying connected
🌊 LAST CHANCE TO GET ON THE WATER!
Let’s face it — “Green Days” sounds more like a band than a rowing event. But they’re actually one of our best recruitment tools! They give new athletes a relaxed chance to try rowing and returning athletes a way to get back in rhythm. Plus, they’re way more fun than winter erging (sorry, erg loyalists 😅).
💬 Talk to friends, classmates, and neighbors — and invite them to try a Green Day. ONLY 3 days left, so let’s fill those boats while we can!
Forms must be submitted EVERY year – new or returning families! We know it feels tedious, but do it now to save yourself some ⏳and avoid 💔. We will only have a limited number on hand at Tag Days.
🔐Direct questions or feedback to Monica, Sportswear Chair. You can also get more info here.
💬 STAY CONNECTED
Slack is our main hub for quick updates, carpool coordination, and team chatter.
Parents: Email [email protected] with 1️⃣ Your name 2️⃣ Your email 3️⃣ Your athlete’s name
You’ll get an invite link!
Athletes: Coaches will add you to the team Slack. 🧠 Use a non-FCPS email address to join!
This newsletter is our other major information source. If you were forwarded this newsletter or are reading it online and would prefer it to arrive in your inbox, visit https://groups.google.com/g/woodsonrowingupdates/ and ask to join the group.
Craft Show: October 31 & November 1. [Sign Up →] HERE
💬 In this issue: recruiting help, fall event reminders, volunteering info, and winter training updates.
1. HELP US FIND OUR FUTURE ROWERS!
Let’s face it — “Green Days” sounds more like a band than a rowing event. But they’re actually one of our best recruitment tools! These sessions give new athletes a relaxed chance to try rowing and returning athletes a way to get back in rhythm. Plus, they’re a lot more fun than winter erging (sorry, erg loyalists).
Because rowing is still a new sport to many high schoolers, our team grows mainly through word-of-mouth. That’s where you come in!
💬 Talk to friends, classmates, and neighbors — and invite them to try a Green Day! After today, there are only 6 left, so let’s fill those boats while we can!
2. SUCCESSFUL PARENT LEARN-TO-ROW
We raised $500 for the team — and some parents now have a whole new respect for what our athletes do after our 2nd annual Parent Learn-to-Row!
Thank you to our nine brave guinea pigs (ahem volunteers) for jumping in. We hope to make this an annual tradition that brings families closer — and maybe recruits a few new fans of the sport along the way!
3. REGISTER YOUR ATHLETE FOR AN EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT
Registration for the 2026 Woodson Rowing season opened on October 1, 2025! Sign up before December 31 to snag the $25 early bird discount.
Need a little help with registration costs? The Occoquan Boat Club (OBC) Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship offers awards of up to $1,000 for eligible athletes.
It takes a village — and a few volunteer credits! Each family is asked to complete 5 volunteer credits per season. Any unfulfilled credits will be assessed at $200 per credit at the end of the season.
But we hope you’ll see these hours not as a checkbox, but as a chance to meet other families, share laughs, and be part of something bigger than race day.
Time to bring those ergs home! Please return your rented erg on Saturday, Oct 18, from 9–10 a.m. at the erg shed behind the school (near the senior parking lot) so we can prep for winter conditioning.
8. EARLY MORNING LIFTING & GREEN DAYS
Early Morning Lifting Mondays & Wednesdays, 6:30–7:30 a.m. at Woodson (enter through Door 4). All athletes must have a valid sports physical on file before participating.
Green Days Continue! Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 4:45–6:45 p.m. at Sandy Run Regional Park. These relaxed, out-of-season sessions let coaches instruct student athletes in a low-pressure environment.
New athletes should start on a Tuesday for a full orientation before joining any day that fits their schedule. Learn more in our Green Days FAQ.
9. STAY CONNECTED ON SLACK
Slack is how we share quick updates, weather changes, and team logistics. It’s like texting — but more organized!
Parent/Guardian Slack: Join for updates, carpool coordination, and team chatter. To join, email [email protected] with: 1️⃣ Your name 2️⃣ Your email address 3️⃣ Your athlete’s full name
You’ll then receive an invitation from Slack.
Coach/Athlete Slack: Coaches will ensure athletes are added. If your athlete isn’t yet on Slack, remind them to tell a coach at Green Days or lifting. Note: Athletes must use a non-FCPS email address.
10. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
Mark your calendars! Here’s a snapshot of what’s coming up. (Full, regularly updated calendar available here.)
OCTOBER
Green Days — Tues/Wed/Thurs through Oct 23
Sat, Oct 18: Erg rental return & service work day
Thu, Oct 23: Final Green Day, 4:45p
Sat, Oct 25: 1st Tag Day
Fri, Oct 31: Craft Show setup, 5–7p
NOVEMBER
Sat, Nov 1: 32nd Annual Craft Show, 10a–4p
Fri, Nov 7: Football concessions volunteering
Sat, Nov 8: Winterize boats & boathouse workday (details TBD)
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrews
As life picks up speed and we race toward the holiday season, we want to take a moment to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of our volunteers.
Whether you’re a board member, a launch driver, a baker for the Craft Show, or someone who quietly shows up to lend a hand—you make all the difference.
Your time, effort, and energy keep us running, and we truly could not do it without you. Every hour you give matters, and every bit of your work is seen and appreciated.
1. REGISTRATION IS OPEN 2. SCHOLARSHIP FUND 3. ARE YOU A NERVOUS NOVICE? 4. WE NEED YOU! A. *NEW THIS YEAR* SILENT AUCTION B. EVERYONE IS NEEDED FOR TAG DAY, 10/25 C. 32nd ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, 10/31 and 11/1 5. PLEASE SUBMIT FORMS 6. PWCA NEEDS MORE HELP ON SUN 10/5 7. RENTAL ERG RETURN, SAT 10/18 8. EARLY MORNING WEIGHT LIFTING & GREEN DAYS ONGOING 9. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
WAIT – THERE’S MORE?
ACTION ITEMS
Parent Learn-To-Row on 10/4 is a go! We need parents/guardians interested to sign up HEREby NOON on 10/3 so we can ensure we have enough support. Those who have signed up, stay tuned for a donation link and waiver form.
1. REGISTRATION IS OPEN Hopefully you received yesterday’s newsletter with all the instructions on registering for the team. If you didn’t, find all you need to know at: woodsonrowing.org/registration.
There are multiple benefits to registering early, not the least of which is spending the money now before the holidays creep up! To encourage early registration, there is a $25 discount applied through December 31, 2025.
2. SCHOLARSHIP FUND If the cost of registration is getting you down, consider applying for the Occoquan Boat Club (OBC) Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship. Scholarships up to $1000 are available to eligible athletes. Details can be found here: https://www.rowobc.org/home/scholarships.
3. ARE YOU A NERVOUS NOVICE? We’ve all been there! If the thought of registration and winter conditioning and the long season is stressing you out, check out the novice tips on our website. These were curated by our current membership chair, Cindy Tomlinson, so reach out to her (or any of us, really!) if you have questions, concerns or need reassurance.
4. WE NEED YOU! Our rowing program runs on the spirit and energy of our families. Volunteering is how we stay connected, support our athletes, and make the season fun for everyone. Whether you’re driving athletes to and fro, helping at regattas, or pitching in behind the scenes, your presence makes a real difference.
Each family is asked to complete 5 volunteer credits per season (or contribute $200 per unfulfilled credit). But our hope is that you’ll see these hours not as a box to check, but as a chance to laugh, meet other families, and be part of something bigger than the races themselves.
With that spirit in mind, here are our current CRITICAL volunteer needs:
A. *NEW THIS YEAR* SILENT AUCTION We are hoping to hold a silent auction this season. Based on past experience with silent auctions, this could be a HUGE fundraiser for the team! In order to make this happen, WE NEED YOUR HELP! We need commitments BY OCTOBER 24. If we get enough volunteers, we can make this happen! Sign up here: Silent Auction Sign Up. Questions? Please reach out to Alexis Sutter or Bahar Salimova via Slack.
B. EVERYONE IS NEEDED FOR TAG DAY, 10/25 Tag Days are the Woodson Rowing team’s most important fundraiser of the year. The dates for Tag Days are set in conjunction with all of the teams/clubs at Woodson. For this season, Woodson Rowing has been assigned Saturday, October 25 (we are still working with the administration to secure our second day). Please mark your calendars as we need all hands on deck to make this event work. Sign up here: Tag Day Sign Up. Check out our Tag Days webpage for information.
C. 32nd ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, 10/31 and 11/1 Our annual craft show is back for its 32nd year. This is a very big fundraiser for our team and is also a very important event in our community. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 1, 2025 from 10a-4p. Set up for the event will begin Friday, October 31.We have already secured all of our vendors for this prestigious event, so now it comes down to getting the help we need to pull it off. Please sign up to volunteer HERE. Please reach out to Gail Lee via Slack for info.
6. PWCA NEEDS MORE HELP ON SUN 10/5 There are still a lot of spots available to be filled! Satisfy a volunteer requirement AND earn some money for our team!!! The Prince William Crew Association (PWCA) is hosting The Occoquan Challenge and the Regatta is still in need of support to ensure it is run efficiently and safely. The Regatta will make a donation, in the volunteer’s name, to the organization of your choice in the amount of $50 – $100, depending on the position filled. Please indicate in the comments that you would like the donation to go to Woodson Rowing. Sign up HERE.
7. RENTAL ERG RETURN, SAT 10/18 If you rented an erg to stay fit in the off season, it’s time to return it to the team in preparation for winter conditioning. Erg rental return will take place on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18 from 9-10a. Location will be the erg shed at the back of the school (near the senior parking lot).
8. EARLY MORNING WEIGHT LIFTING & GREEN DAYS ONGOING The coaches are holding early morning lifting sessions at Woodson on Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30a. All athletes participating in early morning lift sessions MUST have a valid sports physical on file PRIOR to participation.
Green Days are out of season opportunities for coaches to instruct their student athletes. Sign up to attend on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school, from 4:45p-6:45p, at Sandy Run Regional Park (10450 Van Thompson Road, Fairfax Station, VA). Participants are responsible for their own transportation, and carpooling is highly recommended. For more information, visit our Green Days FAQ.
First-time athletes (those who have NOT previously been on the water in a Woodson Rowing boat) should try, if possible, to register for their first day on the water on a TUESDAY in order to receive a more thorough orientation. After your first day, you are welcome to come on any and all days that fit your schedule.
9. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE This calendar is constantly updated as events are added. Scroll here for a quick rundown of what’s up and coming. Where relevant and/or available, links are provided for more information. Check out and subscribe to our online calendar here: https://woodsonrowing.org/calendar/
Welcome to a special edition newsletter about ALL THINGS REGISTRATION!! The full newsletter will come out tomorrow, but get your athlete registered to take advantage of our early bird discount and feel free to share this newsletters with others so they can take advantage of our no-obligation green days.
1. HOW DO I GET STARTED?
2. ENSURE YOU COMPLETE ALL THE STEPS! FIRST STEP: Register and pay for Woodson Rowing. SECOND STEP: Complete the Woodson High School Activity Registration THIRD STEP: Complete Required Forms
A $25 discounted early bird pricing is in effect until December 31, 2025. Don’t delay to take advantage of this discount.
2. ENSURE YOU COMPLETE ALL THE STEPS! Registration is a multi-step process. All parts are vital to ensure your athlete’s eligibility to participate in crew. Some items are required for winter conditioning, but ALL are required prior to on-the-water practice. To ensure your athlete is eligible to participate in all aspects of training, please follow the guidance provided below.
If you have more than one student-athlete competing for Woodson Rowing this season, please note that you will only be able to register one rower at a time. After registering your first rower, you will be given the opportunity to link back to the homepage to register your second rower. There is a $50 sibling discount added on-top of the early bird discount, so it’s worth it to get them all registered at the same time.
SECOND STEP: Complete the Woodson High School Activity Registration
This is a separate registration required for all athletes at Woodson with required concussion training. If your athlete has already participated in another sport at Woodson this year, you may have already completed this step.
THIRD STEP: Complete Required Forms
VHSL Physical form. The VHSL Physical form is REQUIRED prior to beginning winter conditioning. If this has not already been completed for another sport, please do so as soon as possible! The appropriate form can be found on the Woodson Athletics website. The Rowing team does not keep a separate file or copy of the form. Click here for instructions on how to submit your completed forms.
FCPS Travel Forms: These forms allow students and parents to drive athletes to regattas and other events related to crew. Please fill out one driver form for each possible driver (student, parents, step-parents, etc.). The 3 forms can be found on the Woodson Rowing website at: https://woodsonrowing.org/physicals-and-required-documents-for-rowers/
NEW PROCEDURE ALERT: Emailed/electronic copies of the forms ARE accepted this year. Completed forms should be emailed to the Woodson Rowing Membership Chair, Cindy at: [email protected]
4. TRY ROWING WITH NO OBLIGATION – GREEN DAYS!! Not sure you’re ready to register but want to know what rowing is all about? Green Days are happening now through October 23! It’s the perfect opportunity to get hooked on rowing with no financial obligation!
Green Days are out of season opportunities for coaches to instruct their student athletes. Sign up to attend on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after school, from 4:45p-6:45p, at Sandy Run Regional Park (10450 Van Thompson Road, Fairfax Station, VA). Participants are responsible for their own transportation, and carpooling is highly recommended. For more information, visit our Green Days FAQ.
First-time athletes (those who have NOT previously been on the water in a Woodson Rowing boat) should try, if possible, to register for their first day on the water on a TUESDAY in order to receive a more thorough orientation. After your first day, you are welcome to come on any and all days that fit your schedule.
If you are a new athlete and have NOT completed a swim test, don’t fret. We will be planning more. Please send an email to [email protected] so that we know whether we need to hold another swim test during green days. Otherwise, we will hold another test closer to on-the-water practice in February.
Don’t skip Green Days just because you haven’t done your swim test, either. Feel free to show up on Tuesday and talk to the coaches. They may be able to get you in a boat with a life vest so that you can try it out!
5. JOIN SLACK Slack is a communications tool combining the best elements of text messaging and email. We use Slack for more immediate communications than this newsletter. There are 2 separate Slack spaces: one for coach and athlete communications and a separate space for parent/guardian communications.
Parent / Guardian Slack: In addition to push notifications for team related information such as weather or other cancellations, Slack creates a space for parents to be able to coordinate carpools, and other team related logistics. If you are a parent or guardian and are not yet on Slack, please send an email to [email protected] with the following information: (1) your name, (2) your email address, and (3) the full name of your athlete. Once your request is processed, you will receive a separate invite link from Slack to join. There is an app you may download on your mobile devices to access Slack or you may log-in using any browser.
Coach / Athlete Slack: Coaches will ensure that all athletes are added to this Slack space. Athletes not currently on Slack should let coaches know at green days or optional strength training. Please note that you must have a NON-FCPS email to join this space. Parents and guardians do not have direct access to this space. This is your athlete’s responsibility and an opportunity for them to learn to communicate more readily and effectively with their teammates and coaches.
6. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE This calendar is constantly updated as events are added. Scroll here for a quick rundown of what’s up and coming. Where relevant and/or available, links are provided for more information. Check out and subscribe to our online calendar here: https://woodsonrowing.org/calendar/
