Posted on by VP Communications

Sep 7, 2023 Email Update

HERE WE GO, EVERYONE!!

We hope you had a wonderful summer and a relaxing Labor Day weekend. As you might have noticed from Slack, social media and just the general buzz, things are already moving at full speed. We had a good turnout at the Crew interest meeting last week and look forward to welcoming new athletes this season.

Until the beginning of the crew season in the spring, this newsletter will come out once a week. So, set aside some time on Thursdays to read all about what’s happening with Woodson Crew! Remember, you can always find the newsletter archives on our website.

1. SPREAD THE WORD
2. EARLY SEASON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. GET CREDITS NOW!
A. VASRA CLEAN-UP DAYS
B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS
3. SWIM TEST (FOR NEW RECRUITS ONLY)
4. RESTAURANT NIGHT, THU., 9/21 NOODLES & CO., 4-8p
5. PARENT & ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSION, WED., 9/27
6. GREEN DAYS BEGIN 9/26
7. PLANNING IS UNDERWAY FOR…
A. THE 30th ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW
B. ERG RENTAL RETURN
C. ERG SHED WORK-DAY
8. LOOKING AHEAD: AT-A-GLANCE
9. KEEP UP-TO-DATE
10. THANK OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS

ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK

  1. Sign up for VASRA Work Days in September
  2. Sign up for Swim Test (New Recruits only), Sep 17.
  3. Sign up to work Football Concessions (parents only) on Oct 6th
  4. Recruit vendors for our 30th annual craft show!

1. SPREAD THE WORD

Recruitment should be at the top of our minds and in full swing! Please share your enthusiasm for our team. Speak to other students and parents; encourage them to check us out. Save this QR code in your phone to help direct interested athletes! Questions? E-mail [email protected]

2. EARLY SEASON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. GET CREDITS NOW!
A. VASRA CLEAN-UP DAYS: VASRA has scheduled the Fall clean up days for 4 Saturdays in September.Each school is expected to send one volunteer for each clean up day; e.g. 4 or more Woodson volunteers total). Sign up here!
B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS: Each season, Woodson Crew is responsible for working the concession stand at a Woodson Football game. Our date is October 6th. There are two shifts to volunteer – 6:15-8:00 and 8:00-9:45 PM. We need 9 volunteers for each shift. Get your volunteer credits early with this fun opportunity (AND get to watch the game)! Sign up here!

3. SWIM TEST (FOR NEW RECRUITS ONLY)
Every new rower and coxswain is required to pass a swim test certified by Woodson Crew prior to participating in on-the-water practices. Passage of this test is required only once so if you have completed a swim test in prior seasons, you don’t need to do it again.

The next swim test is scheduled for Sunday, September 17th, 4:00-5:00p and consists of:

  1. 100 yard swim, any stroke or combination of strokes, in a swimsuit and;
  2. two minutes of treading water with clothes on to simulate a boat capsizing during cold water practice. Clothing should be a long-sleeved shirt and long pants (sweatpants or leggings of some kind).
  3. Putting on a personal flotation device (life vest) while in the water.

Swim Tests are held at Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA. Use this Sign-Up Genius to let us know that you will attend.

WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:

  • Wear your swimsuit for the 100 yard swim (first event)
  • Towel
  • long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants or leggings to put on over your swimsuit (will be worn in the water)
  • dry clothes to change into
  • waterproof/plastic bag for wet clothes 

4. RESTAURANT NIGHT, THU., 9/21 NOODLES & CO., 4-8p
Feed friends and family all while benefiting the team on Thursday, September 21 from 4-8pm at Noodles & Company, 10296 Main Street. Valid for pickup, delivery and in-restaurant. Please mention you are supporting the fundraiser or use “GIVING25” in the Coupon Code line at online checkout or via the Noodles Rewards app.


5. PARENT & ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSION, WED., 9/27
Returning and new parents and athletes, join us for an information session on the 2023-2024 season of Woodson Crew. WED., SEPTEMBER 27, Woodson Cafe B, starting at 7:30p. We’ll walk through the plan for the upcoming season, go over dues, transportation, winter conditioning, uniforms and preview what happens on the water in the spring. Bring anyone who is interested in learning more about our sport.

6. GREEN DAYS BEGIN SEPTEMBER 26
Green Days are out of season opportunities for coaches to instruct their student athletes. Rowers and Coxswains are encouraged to attend as many Green Days as possible. Green days begin September 26 and will take place on Tuesdays (4:30-6:30p), Thursdays (4:30-6:30p), and Saturdays (8:00-10:30a). SIGN UP HERE

BEFORE participating, all athletes MUST (without exception) have:

First-time athletes (those who have NOT previously been on the water in a Woodson Crew 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 to Woodson Crew. After your first day, you are welcome to come on any and all days that fit your schedule.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation, and carpooling is highly recommended. All sessions are at Sandy Run Regional Park (10450 Van Thompson Road, Fairfax Station, VA).


7. PLANNING IS UNDERWAY FOR…
A. THE 30th ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW: Our annual craft show is back! Mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 10a-4p. Set up for the event will begin Friday, November 3 and we will need all hands on deck to make it a success! Planning has already begun and a signup genius for volunteers will come out soon.

We also have a pressing need for VENDORS for the Craft Show! Please contact any artisans/crafters/makers in your life and let them know you’d love to see their wares on site at Woodson. All Vendors can sign up here: 2023 Craft Show Vendor Registration.

B. ERG RENTAL RETURN: Athletes – keep on erg-ing!! Erg rental return will take place on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28 at the erg shed, prior to the beginning of Winter Conditioning for the 2023-24 season. Stay tuned for more specific information, but meanwhile keep up the hard work!

C. ERG SHED WORK-DAY: Another fun opportunity to volunteer is tentatively scheduled for Sat., Oct 28 at the Woodson Erg Shed. Help us get our ergs cleaned, fix up the erg shed and get ready for winter conditioning. The cleanup takes place right after erg rental returns. Stay tuned for a sign up genius!

8. LOOKING AHEAD: AT-A-GLANCE

SEPTEMBER:

OCTOBER:

  • Fri., 10/6: Football Concessions Volunteering (parents only)
  • Tue., 10/10: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser, 5-9pm
  • Sat., 10/28: Erg return and Erg/Shed Workday (more info to come)
  • Sat., 10/28: Final Green Day, 8-10:30a

NOVEMBER:

9. KEEP UP-TO-DATE
There are lots of way for you to stay connected with Woodson Crew:

10. THANK OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS
The family owned Kilroys (Springfield VA) and The Electric Palm (Woodbridge VA) have graciously become a PLATINUM SPONSOR of the Woodson Crew team! Worth the visit – and when you do, please express your gratitude for their contribution to our team!

If you know of any companies or organizations that would be interested in sponsorship opportunities, visit the Sponsorship page on our website to learn more.