Posted on by VP Communications

February 8, 2024 Newsletter

Volunteer requirements can be intimidating for families new and old to rowing. But don’t fear! This newsletter has a ton of opportunities to get involved with the team, to meet new and returning families and to knock out some of the volunteer responsibilities before the season even starts! Keep reading to learn more.

1. *LAST CHANCE* NEW ATHLETE SWIM TEST, SAT., FEB 10
2. *CRITICAL* ONE MORE DAY TO INDICATE PRACTICE BUS INTEREST
3. *DON’T DELAY* REGISTER NOW!
4. TEAM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
A. *CRITICAL* TRANSPORTATION/CARPOOL COORDINATOR
B. BOATHOUSE WORK DAY, SAT. 2/10
C. CHUCKWAGON WORK DAY, SAT. 3/2
D. AWAY REGATTA COORDINATORS
E. LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING
5. VASRA VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
A. VASRA LOC POSITIONS: DOCKMASTER AND RIVER RAT
B. REFEREE CANDIDATE
C. PRE-SEASON SANDY RUN WORK DAYS
6. NO TIME TO VOLUNTEER? FIND A CORPORATE SPONSOR!
7. *SAVE THE DATE* ON-THE-WATER MEETING, THU., FEB 15
8.  *SAVE THE DATE* PARENT SOCIAL – SAT., MARCH 2, 6-9p
9. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK
New athletes: Final Swim Test Sat., 2/10. (1)
Indicate practice bus interest NLT 2/9/2024. (2)
Review volunteer opportunities for the one that suits you best! (4)(5)(6)

1. *LAST CHANCE* NEW ATHLETE SWIM TEST, SAT., FEB 10

The final swim test before one-the-water practice begins is this Saturday, February 10, 10:00-11:00a. If you are a new rower or coxswain and have not yet done a swim test, you MUST pass a swim test certified by Woodson Rowing prior to participating. If you have completed a swim test in prior seasons, you don’t need to do it again.

The Swim Test will be held at Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA.  This Sign-Up Genius has all the info you will need to succeed.

2. *CRITICAL* ONE MORE DAY TO INDICATE PRACTICE BUS INTEREST

Intent to use the bus must be indicated NLT Friday, 2/9/2024. Sign up for the practice bus here. Filling out this form does NOT guarantee that there will be a bus. We must get enough interest to make it cost effective, so if you are at all considering it, please sign up. Payment is not required at this time and will only be collected IF the  Board is able to get a critical mass of riders (at least 45). Remember, this is not a fundraiser for the team. The bus fee is a direct cost pass-through. More information is available on the registration site.

Also note that for any transportation needs, you can join the #carpool channel on Slack. There is currently only one “neighborhood specific” carpool channel  (#carpool-mantua). If you would like to coordinate carpooling within your specific neighborhood and need a slack channel to do so, please contact Jenn McRobbie via Slack or at [email protected].

3. *DON’T DELAY* REGISTER NOW!

Registration isn’t closed – so if you missed the Feb 5 deadline, have no fear! We will do our best to make sure athletes have a shirt for the team pictures on February 29.  Register here: https://woodsonrowing.org/registration/.

Questions? Reach out to the membership team at [email protected].

4. TEAM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

  • *CRITICAL* TRANSPORTATION/CARPOOL COORDINATOR: We are looking for someone to fulfill the role of Transportation/Carpool Coordinator. This role will be responsible for either coordinating the practice bus chaperone schedule OR helping to facilitate carpools for on-the-water practice. Please contact Bill at [email protected] if you can step into this role!
  • BOATHOUSE WORK DAY, SAT. 2/10: Our Pre-Season 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! If you can make it, show up even if the sign up genius is full. There will be a sign in sheet so you can receive volunteer credit by participating. Sign Up Here.
  • CHUCKWAGON WORK DAY, SAT. 3/2: The Chuckwagon is an important part of uplifting the morale of the team. It won’t take too long – but we need to clean and inventory the chuckwagon before we race off into the season. (Bill also wants an excuse to try out his trailer hitch to make sure he can tow it to away regattas). Athletes and parents can Sign up here to help us make sure the chuckwagon is ready for a great season!
  • AWAY REGATTA COORDINATORS: We need a few folks to help coordinate all the moving parts that go into attending away regattas. The 2 regattas we need the most help with are St. Andrews (3/30/2024) and The Stotesbury Cup (5/17-18/2024). You won’t be going it alone – our VP Activities and Equipment/Logistics Chair have most of the info you’ll need. You’d primarily be ensuring that our Chuckwagon is stocked and would help with on-site logistics so our athletes can put their attention on rowing fast and attendees can put their attention on cheering! If you’re willing to talk about these opportunities, please reach out to Bill at [email protected].
  • LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING: One of the more exciting volunteer activities at regattas is to drive a launch boat. Launch boat drivers are responsible for ferrying spectators, officials and referees. Being a Launch Boat Driver fulfills your VASRA volunteer requirement and gets you the best seat in the house at regattas! All parents/guardians are welcome to learn. Attendance is limited due to space constraints. Sign up to attend training on this fun and fulfilling volunteer opportunity.

    If you have already completed launch boat driver training in a previous season and are willing to be a driver again this year, please join the #launch-boat-drivers channel on Slack.

    5. VASRA VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS

    As part of our participation in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA), our team is required to help with various VASRA activities throughout the season. Please see some key items that need volunteers ASAP. If an opportunity piques your interest or you have questions, please contact Michael Chase, our VASRA Rep, at [email protected].

    • VASRA LOC POSITIONS: DOCKMASTER AND RIVER RAT: 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.
    • REFEREE CANDIDATE: If you’re willing to train to be a regatta Referee, not only will you learn a great skill but you will also help the team by allowing us to reduce Woodson Rowing’s LOC requirements by one position. No advance study, knowledge, or experience is required to volunteer for this position, and a training clinic will be held in the spring. Must be comfortable riding in launches. Referee Candidates have to attend a minimum of five regattas during the season, which do not all have to be at the Occoquan. 
    • PRE-SEASON SANDY RUN WORK DAYS: Use this Sign up Genius to note your attendance 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. NO TIME TO VOLUNTEER? FIND A CORPORATE SPONSOR!

      We are looking to get creative about ways to fund the team. You can help by identifying 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 Team. They will take care of making the calls and doing the asking. All upside, with little-to-no downside! In addition, if your referral leads to $750 or more in sponsorship donations, you’ll get a volunteer credit just for passing that info along! Send your sponsor suggestions to [email protected].

      7. *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). 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.

      8.  *SAVE THE DATE* 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!

      9. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

      FEBRUARY

      • Registration for the season continues.
      • 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. 3:05p, Woodson Aux Gym.

      MARCH – Racing season begins! 2024 Racing Schedule

      • Sat. 3/2: ChuckWagon Workday, 9:30-11a
      • 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.
      • Sun. 4/14:  Parent learn-to-row fundraiser. 9a-noon. Details TBD.
      • Sat. 4/20: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta, Sandy Run
      • Wed. 4/24: Panera restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
      • Fri. 4/26: SENIOR NIGHT. Details TBD. 
      • 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.)

      STAY IN THE KNOW!

      NEWSLETTER: Join the newsletter or Slack by sending an email to [email protected].

      CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP/FUNDRAISING:  Visit the Donors page on the website or contact our fundraising team at [email protected].

      VOLUNTEER: Visit our  Volunteer Webpage to find out our current needs.

      REMINISCE: Current season, previous season or upload your own! Find out all you need to know about Woodson Rowing photos and videos.

      SHOP AND BENEFIT THE TEAM:
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