This weekend the team will travel to the Anacostia River. Race day logistics will be much less formal than for a full regatta, but all you need to know you can find on our website here: https://woodsonrowing.org/tri-meet/

1. SPRING BREAK SCHEDULE (April 14 – 18)
2. NEW TEAM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
3. IT’S EASY TO IGNORE THIS, BUT …
4. STOTESBURY SPECTATOR HOTEL BLOCK – ACT BY APRIL 20!
5. RSVPs NEEDED
6. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
SUPPORT THE TEAM!

1. SPRING BREAK SCHEDULE (April 14 – 18)
From a physiology training perspective, ideally there would be 2 practices a day over spring break. However, from a logistics perspective, coaches understand that one large practice block may be easier to manage for families and carpools. As a result, the spring break schedule will be a compromise between these two forces. The spring break schedule is as follows:

MONDAY, APRIL 14: 8:30a-12:30p
TUESDAY, APRIL 15: 8:30a – 10:45a AND 4p-6:30p. Restaurant Day at Taco Bamba – good for lunch and dinner!!!
WEDNESDAY APRIL 16: 8:30a-12:30p (Bull Run row. This is a long row out with a picnic lunch at Bull Run before the long row back. Stay tuned, we may need parent volunteers to meet the team at Bull Run with food and coolers).
THURSDAY, APRIL 17: 8:30a – 10:45a AND 4p-6:30p
FRIDAY, APRIL 18: 8:30a-12:30p practice, then Team Dinner at Woodson (6:30p report time for volunteers, 7p for athletes).
SATURDAY, APRIL 19: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta at Sandy Run. Race and report times will be released on the Thursday or Friday before.

2. NEW TEAM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Regatta Athlete Food Tent (RAFT) is one of those critical behind the scene functions our Activities team handles. At every regatta, our athletes are provided with fresh healthy snacks at the Boathouse. Our RAFT Coordinator is looking for some help delivering RAFT items pre-regatta and packing up those items post-regatta. Find out more information and sign up here: RAFT Volunteer Sign Up

3. IT’S EASY TO IGNORE THIS, BUT …
We are at the point in the season where you have surely taken notice of the logistics and organization that goes on behind the scenes. For new parents, especially, it can be intimidating to consider getting involved. The 2 most frequent reasons given for not wanting to be on the board are: “I don’t have time” and “I don’t know how to do xyz job.” Regarding time, it is true that many hands make light work. Just as one rower cannot row an 8+ all on their own, the Board cannot operate efficiently with gaps in positions. Regarding learning a new skill or doing something outside of your comfort zone, it is most beneficial for future board members to shadow and learn from folks who are currently doing the job they will do next year. The stress will be “off” to perform and you’ll get the rest of the season to learn.

All of this is important because a lack of interest in stepping up for Board positions will harm the team’s ability to function well in future seasons. There are AT LEAST 9 roles that will be vacated next year due to term imitations and/or children graduating from the program.

Please help put 1 of 2 ways:
(1) Reach out to the Board member whose role you want to learn more about. Find out who there are here: https://woodsonrowing.org/board-of-directors/. Even if they will not be “officially” vacating next year, we all may be open to shuffling positions to bring on fresh volunteers and to make sure that all spots are covered. Our Board is truly the team behind the team and we all want each others’ success.

(1) If being on the Board is truly not for you, PLEASE step up to be on the nominating committee to help us find ideal candidates. If you are interested in serving on the Nominating Committee, contact Catherine Backmeyer on Slack to find out more on what the responsibilities entail.

4. STOTESBURY SPECTATOR HOTEL BLOCK – ACT BY APRIL 20!
It seems far away, but it is creeping up on us and deadlines will quickly be approaching! There are always lots of questions leading up to this regatta, so please know that we release details as soon as we can. Check out our UPDATED webpage with all the information and links you need to satisfy your curiosity: https://woodsonrowing.org/stotesbury/

Q: Who is going?
A: Line ups are set by the coaches based on a number of factors, to include whether or not an athlete is even available to go. If you already know your athlete is NOT available for Stotesbury, please have them contact their coaches. Our coaches try to take as many competitive boats as possible. That may mean, however, that not everyone will be placed in a lineup. Athletes can direct their questions on lineups to the coaches.

Q: How do I and should I book a hotel room?
A: This is a question that doesn’t have a fully simple answer! Here are some details to help you decide:

Reservations for athletes and coaches will be made by the team. You do NOT need to book a room for your athlete.
If you would like to spectate, you are responsible for your own transportation and lodging. Spectators are not required to stay at the team/spectator hotel.
If you would like to volunteer to be a boat chaperone (duties include conducting nightly checks on the rooms and ensuring that the athletes are where they are supposed to be at the appropriate times), we may have a limited number of rooms available in our athlete room block. While you will still be responsible for the cost of your own room, you would be able to be onsite with the athletes. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THIS ROLE, please let our Volunteer Coordinator know so we can keep you updated on logistics.
There are a limited number of rooms that have been reserved as a block for spectators. This room block is NOT AT THE ATHLETE HOTEL but it is very close by. If you would like to take advantage of this prearranged block, you must reserve no later than SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2025 to receive the negotiated rate. Rooms are available on a first-come-first-served basis

To take advantage of our negotiated rate, use this link by APRIL 20, 2025:
Woodson Rowing Parent’s Group Block

Spectator Hotel Address:
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Philadelphia Airport/Ridley Park
201 Industrial Hwy, Ridley Park, PA 19078, (610) 915-6600.

Arrival Date: Thursday, 5/15/2025

Departure Date: Saturday, 5/17/2025

Cut-off Date: Saturday, April 20, 2025

Room Rate: $ 194 per night + taxes and fees

If you are having trouble booking your room, please contact Tré Krupnick via Slack or email ([email protected]). Tré is a parent to a rower as well as the travel agent who negotiated the rates for us. THANK YOU TRÉ!

Q. What if I have more questions?
A: Join the #2025-Stotesbury channel on Slack and post there. The Board will also be putting together a Q&A meeting as more details become available.

5. RSVPs NEEDED

A. SENIOR NIGHT: Senior Parents! We want to be able to fully plan for Senior Night, which will be held in conjunction with the Friday Night Team Dinner on Fri., April 25 at 7p. Please check your calendars and RSVP here: Senior Night RSVP

B. END-OF-YEAR AWARDS BANQUET: RSVP and help out at the End-of-the-Season Banquet on Wednesday, May 28, 7p at Woodson Cafeteria A. Please join us in celebrating all the whole team; athletes, coaches AND parents/guardians! This is more than just an end-of-season celebration. Coaches will present awards, we will recognize our seniors and attending parents will have an introduction/vote for next year’s new board members!

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. You can also see a visual representation of our calendar on our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/calendar/

Graphics of our various schedules can be found at the links below:
Winter Conditioning (October through February)
On-The-Water Practice (late February through May)
2025 Regatta Schedule (March through May)

Important dates:

APRIL