Welcome to your special edition newsletter for our first travel regatta, the St. Andrew’s Invitational! Lots of details below. The current forecast looks favorable with partly cloudy skies, a low of 55 degrees and a high of 78 degrees. Wind will make it feel colder than the actual temperature though, so spectators and athletes should plan accordingly.

1. NOXONTOWN POND REGATTA, AKA ST. ANDREW’S INVITATIONAL
2. REGATTA PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
3. RESTAURANT NIGHT TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MARCH 28
4. PRACTICE TIMES NEXT WEEK (March 31 – April 4)
5. SPRING BREAK PRACTICE SCHEDULE (April 14 – 18)
6. HELP US HELP YOU!
7. GET YOUR SWAG
8. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
SUPPORT THE TEAM!

1. NOXONTOWN POND REGATTA, AKA ST. ANDREW’S INVITATIONAL
Visit our special website page (under the Regattas tab) for ALL the information you need to plan for this event: St. Andrew’s Invitational.

Headlines:

Carpools should plan to leave the Fairfax area around 7 AM. Dress for practice.
Unload boats and Practice from 9:45a-12p.
Races from 1-3p(ish)
Make sure athletes are prepared with plenty of water, portable battery pack for phone charging and things to occupy their down time.
Many more details here.

2. REGATTA PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Thank you to so many parents and athletes who are taking photos and videos at our regattas! The BEST way to share your photos, save them for posterity, AND get them off your camera roll is to get them to the Woodson Rowing SmugMug site.

Find the EASY UPLOAD LINKS for all your photos and videos on our website:
Woodson Rowing photo upload links.

Any photos or videos from St. Andrews this weekend can be uploaded here: https://woodsonrowing.smugmug.com/upload/SC4VPf/2025standrews

Questions, problems or photos from previous years to upload? Contact our new team photographer, Matt Olman, via Slack. THANK YOU, MATT!

3. RESTAURANT NIGHT TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MARCH 28

Don’t bother messing with dinner while you’re getting the family ready to drive to Delaware the next day! Come to Noodles & Co. on Main Street or Order for Pickup to benefit the team and make your life easier!

4. PRACTICE TIMES NEXT WEEK (March 31 – April 4)
There are some adjustments to practice times next week:

MONDAY, MARCH 31: Practice will be held 3:30-6:45p. The early arrival allows for time to unload the trailer after St. Andrew’s and still get a full practice in.
TUESDAY, APRIL 1 – THURSDAY, APRIL 3: Regular practice times (4:15-6:45p).
FRIDAY, APRIL 4: No practice. The Director of Student Activities has cancelled all Woodson athletic practices since that is the night of Woodson Prom.

5. SPRING BREAK PRACTICE 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
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.

6. HELP US HELP YOU!
The St. Andrew’s Invitational is an amazing opportunity to get to know other parents/guardians because there is A LOT of downtime at this regatta. In addition, many Board members will be in attendance, so it’s the perfect time to learn about what we do and how we support the team. In other words, this weekend is the perfect time for the nominating committee to begin their work!

We need AT LEAST 2 parents, one representative from the boys’ team and one from the girls’ team, to serve on this year’s nominating committee. But the more the merrier. The nominating committee identifies parents with interest in serving on the Board in the 2025/26 school year and beyond! This is a great volunteering gig if you like to talk to people. To find out more, please contact Catherine Backmeyer on Slack or introduce yourself at St. Andrews!

7. GET YOUR SWAG
Our Uniform/Sportswear Chair, Cheryl, will be bringing some Woodson Rowing items to the St. Andrew’s Invitational, so be ready to grow your swag collection this Saturday! Check out options and more on our website at Woodson Rowing Spirit Wear. Please feel free to share the website and links with family members so that they can also sport their support near or far.

8. 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:

MARCH:

Fri, 3/28: Noodles & Co. Restaurant Fundraiser, 4-8p, 10296 Main St.
Sat, 3/29: Noxontown Regatta, St. Andrew’s, Middletown, DE

APRIL

Fri, 4/4: Friday night dinner, 6:30p, Woodson Cafeteria
Sat, 4/5: Darrell Winslow Regatta, Sandy Run
Fri, 4/11: Friday night dinner, 6:30p, Woodson Cafeteria
Sat, 4/12: Tri-Meet Scrimmage, Anacostia Boathouse, DC
Tue, 4/15: Taco Bamba Restaurant Fundraiser, 9a-9p
Fri, 4/18: Friday night dinner, 6:30p, Woodson Cafeteria
Sat, 4/19: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta, Sandy Run
Fri, 4/25: SENIOR NIGHT and Friday night dinner, Woodson Cafeteria
Sat, 4/26: Al Urquia Regatta, Sandy Run

MAY

Fri, 5/2: Friday night dinner, 6:30p, Woodson Cafeteria
Sat, 5/3: VA State Championship Regatta, Day 1, Sandy Run
Fri, 5/9: Friday night dinner, 6:30p, Woodson Cafeteria
Sat, 5/10: VA State Championship Regatta, Day 2, Sandy Run
Thu, 5/15: Travel to Stotesbury Cup Regatta (selected boats only)
Fri, 5/16 – Sat, 5/17: Stotesbury Cup Regatta, Philadelphia, PA
Thu, 5/22: Travel to SRAA National Championship Regatta (qualifying boats only)
Fri, 5/23 – Sat, 5/24: SRAA National Championship Regatta
Wed, 5/28: End of year banquet for athletes and parents, 7-9p, Woodson Cafe A

SUPPORT THE TEAM!

VIEW AND UPLOAD PHOTOS: Visit our Woodson Rowing photos page for more information on how you can help protect our legacy with photographs!

REP THE TEAM WITH PRIDE!

There are many ways for you to shop and benefit the team all while sporting your support! See our Spirit Wear Page for more info!

SPONSOR WOODSON ROWING!

Visit our Sponsorship Page or contact Woodson Rowing Fundraising.

FEELING GENEROUS?

No amount is too small or too big and is a HUGE part of our successes!!
Visit our Donors page for information on how your donation will be used!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Welcome to a special edition newsletter on our first regatta of the season! Lots of details below, so take your time reading through and ask questions!. The weather is set to be sunny and cool. Fingers crossed it stays that way! Spectators should plan accordingly – lots of layers – as the grandstands are open to the elements.

1. REGATTA VOLUNTEERS

2. POLAR BEAR REGATTA THIS SATURDAY, 3/22
A. ATHLETE ATTENDANCE
B. REPORT TIMES

3. REGATTA PARKING AND GETTING TO THE GRANDSTAND
A. OFFSITE PARKING FOR SPECTATORS
B. ONSITE PARKING

4. FOOD

5. SPECTATOR TIPS AND CHEERING

6. DON’T FORGET YOUR SPIRIT WEAR!

7. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

SUPPORT THE TEAM!

ACTION ITEMS BEFORE THIS REGATTA

Fill out a VASRA waiver for your athlete. This is a new requirement this season, but it is REQUIRED before your athlete can race. Many thanks to those who already completed this requirement.
RSVP for the Parent social taking place Friday, 3/21 from 6-9p

1. REGATTA VOLUNTEERS
Gentle reminder that if you sign up, you’re expected to volunteer. If it is a regatta weekend and you are unable to fulfill your duties, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lisa Veigel, so that she can try to help you find a replacement for your shift.

All volunteer slots for the regatta this weekend are full. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! Sign up here to help at future regattas. Feel free to check back frequently, even if shifts appear to be full, in case others are unable to fulfill their duties. If you sign up to drive a launch, you must have completed the recent launch driver training AND have practiced with a coach!

2. POLAR BEAR REGATTA THIS SATURDAY, 3/22
Our first regatta for our varsity boats is this Saturday. Woodson will be racing 5 boats between, approximately, 9am to 1p. According to the current TENTATIVE event list, smaller boats will be racing first. So, all of our boats should be prepared/plan to be the later races of the day. Specific race times will be finalized and shared with coaches late tonight. Athletes should anticipate hearing more about timing by practice on Friday, 3/21.

Feel free to check here for more information: Regatta Central – Polar Bear Regatta.

Results and heatsheets will be posted here, when available: VASRA website.

A. ATHLETE ATTENDANCE
While no novice boats row at this regatta, novice athletes are highly encouraged to attend, if available. Regattas are a unique experience and familiarity with how they run will help the athletes as they prepare for their first regatta, next weekend. Learning the mechanics and rhythms of a regatta before they participate builds confidence and experience. Plus, it’s fun to watch your teammates race without dealing with your own nerves!

Novices should plan to be at the boathouse about 1 hour before Woodson boats hit the water.

Returning Athletes will hear from your coaches what boat you will be on. Unless told otherwise by a coach, athletes are advised to be at the boathouse no later than two hours before their scheduled race, and coxswains must be there for the coxswain’s meeting.

B. REPORT TIMES
Will be communicated via Slack as it becomes available. If you aren’t yet on Slack, send a message to [email protected]. Official lineups will be posted on Slack and social media after the schedule is set.

3. REGATTA PARKING AND GETTING TO THE GRANDSTAND
This is always a big deal and a big issue until you realize what the system is like, so we highly recommend that you plan lots of excess time to get to where you need to go. As we all know, Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance, so a little goes a long way. All of the information below, and more, is located on our website. If you’re nervous or curious, to learn more visit our website: Sandy Run Park Info.

A. OFFSITE PARKING FOR SPECTATORS: There is no spectator/visitor parking at Sandy Run. As a result, families should plan accordingly.

❖ Parents driving athletes can drop athletes off at Sandy Run and then proceed to the offsite parking area. If you are only dropping off your rower, plan on arriving on site at least 15 minutes before your rower needs to report because Hampton Road and Van Thompson Road are often backed up with cars. Tell the parking volunteers that you are dropping off a rower, and they will direct you.

❖ OFF SITE PARKING IS LOCATED AT SOUTH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL. South County High School is located at 8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA 22079.

❖ Spectators will park at South County High School and take a shuttle bus to the regatta. The cost of the shuttles is $10 EACH WAY ($20 total). Please bring cash. You will pay at South County prior to boarding the bus AND AGAIN at the bus pick up spot in Lot C at Sandy Run. Athletes in uniform can ride the shuttle for free. Families should plan for a 15-20 minute walk or a shorter shuttle ride between where the buses stop (Lot C) and the grandstand.

❖ 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.

To get to the grandstands from Lot C, you have two options:

You can walk. The path is unpaved and very hilly. It is about ¾ of a mile and takes about 20 minutes to walk.
You can take the shuttle van which costs a small fee each way. In the past this fee has been $5 EACH WAY. Cash is preferred. Please plan accordingly. The shuttle runs continuously and takes about 5 minutes.

B. ONSITE PARKING: Onsite parking is limited to the groups below only. There is no fee for these groups to park at Sandy Run.

❖ ATHLETES: parking is available in the Loisvale Lot until the lot is filled. Please plan for the short walk from parking to the water!

❖ VOLUNTEERS: Lot D (larger gravel lot that is to the right as you pass the gated entry to the park)

❖ COACHES: Lot D. There will be designated parking. Please display your green coaches hangtag.

❖ STAFF / LOC: B lot, second row from the back. This is the paved lot closest to the water on the right.

❖ REFEREES: B lot, back row

❖ HANDICAPPED: Lot C, as designated.This is the smaller gravel lot to the left as you pass through the gated entry.

4. FOOD
For athletes, the team provides snacks. If your athlete has food restrictions, those will have been accounted for by the team – but if they have specific nutritional needs we recommend packing them what they need. They may buy from the Headquarters concession stand, but may not have the time or opportunity to do so until after their race, so plan accordingly.

For spectators, there is a concession stand at the grandstand. Bring cash to make your life easier because mobile payments are notoriously hard due to spotty wi-fi coverage on the water.

You can find concession menus on the VASRA website here: https://www.vasra.org/regattas/concessions-menu

5. SPECTATOR TIPS AND CHEERING
Check out a list of tips for regatta watching here: https://woodsonrowing.org/regatta-spectator/.

All the Woodson families try to sit together as a team. So, where is the team? Well – look for the swag. We know it’s challenging when you’re new to the sport and new to the team, but trust that everyone is friendly and interested in meeting you!

Cheering is one of our primary duties as spectators! When a Woodson boat goes down the course on their way to the start, all the parents get together to yell “HEY, WOODSON!” as loud as possible. We will know that the kids hear us when a coxswain or rowers take a moment to wave at us.

If you’re interested and brand new to the sport of rowing, we have a lot of resources on our website to help you feel “in-the-know” once you get to the grandstands. Some suggested reading:

Novice Tips from a parent
Regatta Viewer’s Guide: General information about rowing and rowing parlance
Regatta Information: General info on the types of regattas we attend as a team
Regatta Spectator Tips: How to dress, what to expect and more!
Sandy Run Park: info on the world-class facility where we get to train and race!
Follow VASRA on X to get real time updates (although be prepared for lagging if you are at the grandstands because the wi-fi is spotty there).

6. DON’T FORGET YOUR SPIRIT WEAR!
Purchase Woodson Rowing Spirit Wear to show your support and benefit our team!

7. 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/

Important dates:

MARCH: