Posted on by VP Communications

February 27, 2024 Newsletter

This is your first bi-weekly newsletter. From now until the end of the season, you’ll be receiving updates on Tuesdays and *either* Thursday or Friday (depending on the type of information to go out). Remember that you can always find archived newsletters on our website here: https://woodsonrowing.org/email-updates/

1. POLAR BEAR REGATTA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
2. TEAM PHOTOS, THU, 2/29 3:05p
3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO FILL FUEL CANS!
4. PRACTICE REMINDERS
5. LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING, SAT. 3/2
6. RSVP FOR THE PARENT SOCIAL THIS WEEKEND! SAT., MARCH 2, 6-9p
7. DEADLINE FOR NOVICE ATHLETE REFUNDS
8. IMPORTANT LINKS
9. *SAVE THE DATE* SENIOR NIGHT – FRI., APRIL 26, 7p
10. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS – & SHIRTS FOR SALE!
11. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK

For parents:
Polar Bear Regatta Tasks Sign Up
volunteer opportunities
RSVP for parent social!

For athletes: team photos

1. POLAR BEAR REGATTA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our first regatta is less than a month away and we still have plenty of volunteer spots to fill! The Polar Bear Regatta is a varsity only competition, so it is fast paced. Novice athletes and parents are highly encouraged to attend. Take advantage of this excellent opportunity to knock out a volunteer credit, refresh skills, or learn and observe first hand. There are lots of opportunities and most of these jobs mean you get to observe racing up close and personal. Please visit the sign-up genius and commit to your shift(s) now: VASRA Regatta Tasks Sign Up.

2. TEAM PHOTOS, THU, 2/29 3:05p

Calling all athletes! Spring sports photos will be taken after school on Thursday, 2/29 in the Aux Gym. If you don’t show, you will not be in the yearbook photo. Some things to note:

  • Please be sure to wear your team t-shirt (the WHITE LONG SLEEVE shirt) for the photos. There will be a board member on hand to provide shirts for those who don’t have them so that you’ll all be in uniform.
  • We DO have practice at the regularly scheduled time on Thursday. Carpools should plan to pick up athletes at the school to head to Sandy Run after photos have been taken.
  • Girls report to Photographer 1 while boys report to Photographer 2.
  • SENIORS should also visit Photographer 3 to have a headshot taken.

3. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO FILL FUEL CANS!

One of the critical items that is needed for every practice and each regatta is fuel for our launch boats! We are looking for volunteers who are willing to help occasionally fill fuel cans when they are at Sandy Run. You will be reimbursed for this expense – all we need is a little bit of your time. This is a great volunteer job for folks who drive a carpool and stay on-site during practice – a quick gas run during practice and you’re back! If you are available or want to know more, please join the #launch-fuel-planning channel on Slack or reach out to our Equipment and Logistics Chair, Riz at [email protected]

4. PRACTICE REMINDERS

  • Practice times for both the Women’s Team and the Men’s Team
    Mon-Fri: 4:15-6:45p
    Sat: 8:30-11:00a
  • Late or missing practice? Athletes who will be late or will miss practice should contact their coaches via Slack. Coaches request that athletes contact ALL 3 COACHES ON THEIR TEAM to make sure that there aren’t any missed messages.
  • Parking/drop-off at Sandy Run: review the graphic here.

5. LAUNCH BOAT DRIVER TRAINING, SAT. 3/2

Still room for 2 more drivers! One of the more exciting volunteer activities at regattas. 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. All parents/guardians are welcome to learn. Attendance is limited due to space constraints. Sign up to attend training with Coach Joe Hester.

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.

6. RSVP FOR THE PARENT SOCIAL THIS WEEKEND! SAT., MARCH 2, 6-9p

Please 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 here so the Chinoy’s know how many people to expect. Wine will be provided by our hosts, but feel free to bring any other beverage of choice along with a food item to share. The RSVP Sign Up Genius lists the location and directions, so make sure you check it out!

7. DEADLINE FOR NOVICE ATHLETE REFUNDS

While we hope no one needs to avail themselves of this, the deadline for refunds for novice athletes (athletes in their first year on the team) is next week. 

If you submit a written withdrawal to Woodson Rowing Membership by March 7 2024, you will receive a refund of all fees minus any credit card processing fees and the $25 USRowing Membership already obtained for your athlete. Any questions can be directed to Jenn Ros at [email protected].

8. IMPORTANT LINKS

Our web page and Slack are good sources of information when you’re looking for information on all things Woodson Rowing. Here are some links for you to bookmark that will help you find information as we progress through the season:

  • on-the-water information for all questions re: practice.
  •  #carpool channel on Slack
  • Current and on-going volunteer needs. This page will be constantly updated, with links and more information. Visit this page often as sign ups tend to shift as events get closer and people run into conflicts. Critical needs will continue to be highlighted in the newsletter as needed. 

9. *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 – mark your calendars now! Senior night will take place at the team dinner on Fri., April 26 at 7p.

10. SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS – & SHIRTS FOR SALE!

Special shoutout to our 2024 sponsors. Not only are they each featured on this season’s rowing shirts – but they will be featured on our social media accounts in the coming weeks. Thank them by giving them your business!

Speaking of shirts, these super light-weight shirts are also available for purchase! Each athlete received one as part of their registration, but if any parent or guardian would like one (or an athlete wants another), they cost $45 per shirt and can be purchased by contacting Sportswear Chair, Cheryl, or Fundraising Chair, Ana via Slack or email: [email protected], [email protected].

11. 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 2/29: Team picture day. 3:05p, Woodson Aux Gym.

MARCH
On-the-water practice
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:
Spirit wear and more!

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