Posted on by Comms

Al Urquia Regatta: What You Need to Know (04/25)

This edition is your go-to guide for race day—read through and plan ahead to avoid race-day stress.

The weather is expected to be mild. It may be a longer day with some prelims and finals. Plan accordingly!

What matters most:

🙋 Volunteer slots are FULL — thank you! If you can’t fulfill your shift, contact Lisa Veigel ASAP to arrange coverage.

🎓 Senior Night Logistics (4/24):
Athletes will be released from practice around 6:15 PM. They may go home to change before returning for dinner.

Senior presentations will begin at 7:45 PM.

🔗 KEY LINKS

👉 Regatta Central (schedule & entries)

👉 VASRA (results & updates)

👉 @VASRA_SRRP (follow for real time updates)

👉 Drone coverage (available through Maverick Rowing)

🚣🏽 AL URQUIA REGATTA, 4/25

Woodson will race 7 boats. Expect a lot of downtime between races—plan accordingly.

Some athletes will race multiple times, and there will be both heats and finals for most boats.

  • Heats = preliminary races that determine advancement
  • Finals = later races based on heat results
  • Flights = single, stand-alone races (no advancement)

The final schedule and the coaches’ cheat sheet will be shared via Slack when available.

🚣🏽ATHLETE ATTENDANCE

  • Rowers: arrive 2 hours before race
  • Coxswains: must attend coxswain meeting
  • Athletes should plan to stay for the full duration of racing, including finals, unless told otherwise by coaches.

Lineups will be posted on Slack (and social media) once finalized.

💧Hydration & Food Reminder:

There will be no water or Gatorade available at the boathouse this weekend—athletes must bring their own.

The team will provide chocolate milk and RAFT snacks.

🚗 SPECTATOR PARKING (READ THIS)

There is NO spectator parking at Sandy Run.
⏱️ Build in extra time — traffic and lines are common

Step 1: Drop off athletes at Sandy Run.

Step 2: Park at offsite location (UPDATED):
📍 South County High School
8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton, VA 22079

Step 3: Take shuttle to venue
💵 $10 each way ($20 total), cash preferred.
🎽Athletes in uniform ride free
⌚Shuttles run from 7:00 AM until 1 hour after the last race

Step 4: From Lot C to Grandstand
🚶Walk: Unpaved and hilly (~20 minutes)
🚕Shuttle van: $5 each way, cash is preferred.

🚘 ONSITE PARKING

Onsite parking is limited and not available to spectators.

  • Handicapped: Lot C (left after gated entry)
  • Athletes: Loisvale Lot (short walk to the boathouse; if full, park offsite)

⚠️ Important: If spectators are in the car, you should expect to be directed to drop-off only. Spectators will be required to park offsite. Plan accordingly to avoid delays.

  • Volunteers: Lot D (right after gated entry)
  • Coaches: Lot D (display hangtag)
  • Staff/LOC/Referees: Lot B (paved lot closest to the water)

🍔 FOOD

  • Athletes: snacks provided; pack extra if needed. Bring your own water.
  • Spectators: concession stand available
  • Bring cash (Wi-Fi is unreliable)

👉 Concession menu: https://www.vasra.org/regattas/concessions-menu

🎉SPECTATOR TIPS AND CHEERING

🪑 Sit together—look for Woodson gear. Bring chairs or blankets (concrete grandstands).

☀️ It will be a long, hot day. Bring sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water. Plan for extended time in direct sun.

📣 When a Woodson boat heads to the start, we cheer: “HEY, WOODSON!”

🛜 Wi-Fi is unreliable—plan accordingly.

👕 SPIRIT WEAR!

Show your support and benefit the team: Woodson Rowing Spirit Wear

🌊 STAY INVOLVED

Recruitment • Sponsors • Spirit Wear • Photos

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💭 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

— A. A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)