Posted on by VP Communications

February 22, 2024 Newsletter

The season has officially begun! This first week on-the-water is a lot of logistics – but we so greatly appreciate the team work and sense of community you are all bringing to each hurdle. The deluge of information is really going to begin now, so this will be your last once a week newsletter. Starting next week, expect newsletters twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Remember that you can always catch up or find this year’s newsletters archived on our website here: https://woodsonrowing.org/email-updates/.

1. MAMMA LUCIA RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER UNTIL 8p TONIGHT!
2. ON-THE-WATER MEETING SLIDES
3. ON-THE-WATER PRACTICE IS UNDERWAY!
4. TRANSPORTATION NEEDS?
5. CRITICAL BOARD POSITION AVAILABLE
6. CURRENT VOLUNTEER NEEDS
A. LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING, SAT. 3/2
B. TEAM DINNER HELPERS
C. AWAY REGATTA COORDINATORS
D. VASRA REGATTA TASKS
E. PRE-SEASON SANDY RUN WORK DAYS
7.  *SAVE THE DATE* PARENT SOCIAL – SAT., MARCH 2, 6-9p
8.   *SAVE THE DATE* SENIOR NIGHT – FRI., APRIL 26, 7p
9. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK
Consider joining the Board as our V.P. Activities (5)
  1. MAMMA LUCIA RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER UNTIL 8p TONIGHT!

2. ON-THE-WATER MEETING SLIDES

Thank you to so many of you that attended our on-the-water meeting last week. A copy of the slides can be found on our website, including opening remarks from our Board President, Bill Westman. February 2024 Parent Information Session Slides.

  1. ON-THE-WATER PRACTICE IS UNDERWAY!

Athletes who will be late or will miss practice should contact their coaches via Slack.

We know it can be intimidating with the fluctuating weather, but hopefully this graphic will help clear things up for how your athlete should be preparing for one-the-water practices! Your athletes will be learning quickly what they do and don’t need.

4. TRANSPORTATION NEEDS?

Slack is really the best place to coordinate transportation, especially when there are short-term emergencies. Please join the #carpool channel on Slack or send a message to Jordan, our superhero carpool coordinator, if you have any questions.

5. CRITICAL BOARD POSITION AVAILABLE

Please help us to help you! We are all busy, but serving on the boosters board is very fulfilling. It is a great opportunity to learn how the team functions, behind the scenes. Becoming a Board member fulfills your team volunteer obligation, leaving you able to watch those Spring regattas at your leisure!

We currently have an opening for the V.P. – Activities. This critical role helps organize our team dinners, coordinates logistics for practices and regattas, and serves as a team liaison at away regattas. There are already many helpers in place for this critical role – but this is ALSO an ideal job sharing position. The out-going V.P. Activities is on-hand to provide assistance and ensure a smooth transition, so don’t be shy! Please contact Bill at [email protected] to learn more. 

6. CURRENT VOLUNTEER NEEDS

  • LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING, SAT. 3/2

Still room for 2 more drivers! 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.

  • TEAM DINNER HELPERS

During the competitive season, our athletes will gather on Friday evenings, after practice for team dinners. Our first team dinner will be on Friday, 3/15 in Woodson Cafeteria A! 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’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].

  • 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.

  • 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!

7.  *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!

8.   *SAVE THE DATE* SENIOR NIGHT – FRI., APRIL 26, 7p

It seems so early to be talking about how our very large group of seniors will be moving on from the team next year! Plans are clearly in the very early stages, but parents of seniors – we want you to book this date now! Senior night will take place at the team dinner on Fri., April 26.

9. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

FEBRUARY

  • On-the-water practice begins 2/20. (M-F: 4-6:30p; Sa: 8:30-10:30a)
  • 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
  • Fri 3/15: Team dinner. Athletes & Volunteers only. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • Sat. 3/16: Polar Bear Regatta, Sandy Run
  • Fri. 3/22: Team dinner. Athletes & Volunteers only. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • Sat. 3/23: Regional Park Regatta, Sandy Run
  • Fri., 3/29: Team dinner. Athletes & Volunteers only. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • Sat. 3/30: Invitational at St. Andrews, Middletown, DE

APRIL

  • Fri. 4/5: Team dinner. Athletes & Volunteers only. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • 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.
  • Fri. 4/19: Team dinner. Athletes & Volunteers only. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • Sat. 4/20: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta, Sandy Run
  • Wed. 4/24: Panera restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
  • Fri. 4/26: SENIOR NIGHT. Details TBD. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • Sat. 4/27: Al Urquia Regatta, Sandy Run

MAY

  • Fri., 5/3:Team dinner. NEW LOCATION. TBD.
  • Sat. 5/4: Virginia State Championship (Day 1), Sandy Run
  • Fri. 5/10: Last Team dinner. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • 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:
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