Posted on by VP Communications

February 15, 2024 Newsletter

Parent on-the-water information meeting is TONIGHT. If you’d like to learn what “competitive season” is like at Woodson Rowing, have questions for members of the board or just want to get out of your house for an hour or so, join us in Cafeteria A at 7:30p!

1. *TONIGHT* ON-THE-WATER MEETING, THU., FEB 15
2. CALLING ALL SPONSORS! ONE DAY REMAINING
3. LAST DAY OF WINTER CONDITIONING, FRI, FEB 16
4. PRACTICE BEGINS MON, FEB 19
5. PRACTICE BUS INTEREST FORM DEADLINE EXTENDED
6. HAVE YOU REGISTERED?
7. TEAM VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
A. *CRITICAL* TRANSPORTATION/CARPOOL COORDINATOR
B. CHUCKWAGON WORK DAY, SAT. 3/2
C. LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING, SAT. 3/2
D. TEAM DINNER HELPERS
E. AWAY REGATTA COORDINATORS
8. VASRA VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
A. VASRA REGATTA TASKS
B. VASRA LOC POSITIONS: DOCKMASTER AND RIVER RAT
C. REFEREE CANDIDATE
D. PRE-SEASON SANDY RUN WORK DAYS
9.  *SAVE THE DATE* PARENT SOCIAL – SAT., MARCH 2, 6-9p
10. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK
Attend on-the-water meeting tonight, 7:30p, Woodson Cafe A.
Indicate practice bus interest by Friday, 2/16 at 5:00p.

1. *TONIGHT* 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 in Cafeteria A at Woodson. 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. There is not a remote option to attend this meeting, but we will share a link to the slides following the meeting.

2. CALLING ALL SPONSORS! ONE DAY REMAINING

Tomorrow (Fri., Feb 16) is the last day for sponsors to submit logos for placement on the team’s dri-fit long sleeve t-shirt! If you are a potential sponsor or know of a company who would like to support the team AND get their name out to the general public, contact our Fundraising Chair, Ana, at [email protected].

P.S., if your referral leads to $750 or more in sponsorship donations, you’ll get a volunteer credit just for passing that info along! 

3. LAST DAY OF WINTER CONDITIONING, FRI, FEB 16

The last day of winter conditioning is THIS FRIDAY! That means that the beginning of the competitive season is upon us. Conditioning on Friday will follow the winter conditioning schedule: 3:30-5:30p, for both the women’s and men’s team.

4. PRACTICE BEGINS MON, FEB 19

Practice officially kicks off on Monday, Feb 19. Although that is a federal holiday, there WILL be practice at the school that afternoon in accordance with the winter conditioning times. Athletes should be prepared for baseline erg testing on this date.

Men’s team: 3:30-5:30p; Women’s team 5:00-7:00p.

On-the-water practice begins TUESDAY, FEB 20. Practice times are as follows, for both the Women’s Team and the Men’s Team:
Mon-Fri: 4-6:30p
Sat: 8:30-10:30a

Please note that these times are when practice BEGINS (not the arrival time)! Athletes who will be late or will miss practice should contact their coaches via Slack.

5. PRACTICE BUS INTEREST FORM DEADLINE EXTENDED

So that folks can ask questions and talk about the practice bus at the parent one-the-water meeting tonight, we are extending the deadline to indicate interest in the bus to FRIDAY, FEB 16 at 5:00pm. At that time, the interest form will be closed. Indicate interest in 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].

6. HAVE YOU REGISTERED?

If you have questions re: registration, please attend the parent on-the-water meeting tonight. Jenn Ros, our membership chair, will be one of many board members present to answer questions. If you know you’re ready to register, please do so here: https://woodsonrowing.org/registration/.

7. 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!

  • LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING, SAT. 3/2

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.

  • CHUCKWAGON WORK DAY, SAT. 3/9

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!

  • TEAM DINNER HELPERS

During the competitive season, our athletes will gather on Friday evenings, after practice for team dinners. This is included in your registration fees, but obviously we need lots of help to make this happen each week. We need help with setting up, picking up ordered food, and cleaning up. Please sign up here: Team Dinner Volunteering.

  • 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].

8. 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 REGATTA TASKS

Woodson Rowing is required to provide volunteer workers at the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) regattas in which we participate. Each family should strive to complete AT LEAST one shift per season. There are lots of opportunities, and most of these jobs mean you get to observe racing up close and personal. Visit the Sign Up Genius for more information and to sign up: VASRA Regatta Tasks Sign Up.

  • VASRA LOC POSITIONS: DOCKMASTER AND RIVER RAT

In addition to the one-off volunteering spots noted above, Woodson Rowing is required to fill two VASRA Local Organizing Committee (LOC) positions for this season: a Dockmaster and a River Rat. 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!

9.  *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!

10. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

FEBRUARY

  • Registration for the season continues.
  • Thu. 2/15: on-the-water parent meeting, in-person, 7:30p, Cafe A
  • 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: 1st official practice! Baseline erg testing at school.
    (Men’s team, 3:30-5:30p; Women’s team, 5:00-7:00p)
  • 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: 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: ChuckWagon Workday, 9:30-11a
  • 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:
Spirit wear and more!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA