Welcome to your special edition newsletter for the Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta! This regatta is named for a revered VASRA referee who lost his life to cancer. If you want to read more about this man with the unique name, click here. As is so often the case, there is a high probability of rain this Saturday, but not until later in the day. Spectators and athletes should plan accordingly.
1. **CRITICAL NEED**: LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER THIS WEEKEND
2. REMINDER: TEAM DINNER, FRI, APR 21
3. RYZ OBUCHOWICZ REGATTA, SAT, APR 22
A. ATTENDANCE
B. OFF-SITE PARKING FOR SPECTATORS
C. ONSITE PARKING
4. EVENT PHOTOS
5. SPIRIT WEAR – GET IT NOW!
6. AT-A-GLANCE
7. SPREAD THE WORD
- **CRITICAL NEED**: LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER THIS WEEKEND
We must fulfill our VASRA volunteer requirements as a team. We still have ONE launch boat driver spot open (starting around 11:30a). If you’ve completed launch driver training, please sign up here. Thank you so much to all our volunteers. We, literally, couldn’t do any of this without you!
- REMINDER: TEAM DINNER, FRI, APR 21
This week’s dinner is on FRIDAY, APR 21 in Woodson Cafeteria A. All chaperone spaces have been filled. Thank you, parents!
What’s for dinner? Well – Ledo Pizza in West Springfield. Ledo Pizza is a local DMV pizza place and its history may be read about HERE. It is the official pizza of the George Mason Patriots, Navy Athletics, Baltimore Ravens, Maryland Terrapins, and Towson Tigers.
The menu, listed in descending order of amounts, follows: Pizza (cheese, pepperoni, veggie, Hawaiian, gluten free – cheese); Buffalo Boneless Chicken Wings, Sweet Baby Ray BBQ Boneless Chicken Wings, Cheesy Garlic Bread, Spinach Salad and Caesar Salad (croutons and grilled chicken on the side). Dessert TBA.
- RYZ OBUCHOWICZ REGATTA, SAT, APR 22
Very excited to be back on the Occoquan to race. It’s always good to be back on your home turf. Specific race times will be finalized and shared with coaches late tonight. Athletes should anticipate hearing more about timing by tomorrow. Hopefully, eights will row in the morning Saturday before the heat/rain become too much of a factor.
Feel free to check here for general regatta information:
Regatta Central – Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta
VASRA website
A. ATTENDANCE: Unless told otherwise by a coach, rowers are advised to be at the boathouse no later than two hours before their scheduled race. Coxswains must be there for the coxswain’s meeting. More specific timing information will be communicated via Slack as it becomes available.
B. OFF-SITE PARKING FOR SPECTATORS: There is no spectator/visitor parking at Sandy Run. Off-site parking is located at a local commuter parking lot for this regatta.
- Parents driving athletes can drop off at Sandy Run and then proceed to the off-site commuter parking lot located at:
1325 Old Bridge Rd and Rt 123
Woodbridge, VA 22192 - Shuttle buses will run between the commuter parking lot and Lot C at Sandy Run. The cost of the shuttle is $15 CASH, round trip, paid at the Commuter Lot prior to boarding the bus. Athletes in uniform can ride the shuttle for free. Families should plan for a 15-20 minute hike to the grandstand after drop-off at Lot C.
- There is an ADDITIONAL shuttle bus that runs from Lot C to the finish line for those who are not able to make the 1 mile hike. Even with this method, there is a short walk from the finish line to the grandstands. Please plan accordingly. Cost is $5 CASH each way.
- The shuttles are scheduled to begin at 7:00 am (2 hours before the first race) and will conclude running from Sandy Run NLT 1 hour after the last race.
C. ONSITE PARKING: Onsite parking is limited to the groups below only. There is no fee for these groups to park at Sandy Run.
- ATHLETES: Loisvale Lot. Plan for the walk to the boathouse!
- VOLUNTEERS: Lot D.
- COACHES: Lot D. Please display your green coach hangtag.
- STAFF / LOC: Lot B, second row from the back.
- HANDICAPPED: Lot C, as designated.
- EVENT PHOTOS
Check out our collection of team photos on SmugMug. After the regatta, please share your photos with the team via one of the following methods:
- the #photo-sharing channel on Slack
- send photos to our Team Photographer, Colin, at [email protected] AND [email protected] (please send to both email addresses for now) so he can upload the photos into SmugMug.
- SPIRIT WEAR – GET IT NOW!
Shop for items for rowers, as well as for parents, family, and friends via our online spirit wear store. Don’t forget, a portion of the proceeds goes directly to the team, so you will benefit the team while showing off your team pride. Visit the store today!
- AT-A-GLANCE
April
- Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafeteria A: 7:15p, Apr 21
- REGATTA – Ryz Obuchowicz at Sandy Run: Apr 22
- Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafeteria A: 7:15p, Apr 28
- REGATTA – Al Urquia at Sandy Run: Apr 29
May
- Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafeteria A: 7:15p, May 5
- REGATTA – VSRC (State Championship) at Sandy Run, Day 1: May 6
- Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafeteria A: 7:15p, May 12
- REGATTA – VSRC (State Championship) at Sandy Run, Day 2: May 13
- Restaurant Fundraiser – Noodles & Co: May 17, 4-8p
- REGATTA (Qualifiers only) – Stotesbury Cup at Philadelphia, PA: May 19-20
- REGATTA (Qualifiers only) – SRAA Championships at Oak Ridge, TN: May 26-27
- End-of-Season Banquet for athletes and families @ Woodson Cafe A: May 31
- SPREAD THE WORD
Contact [email protected] to get signed up for our weekly communication and our Slack community.
Follow us on Social Media!