2024 Green Days Schedule and Sign Up here:
Green Days Sign Up
BEFORE participating, all athletes MUST (without exception) have:
- Submitted the Woodson Activity Registration.
- A VHSL physical dated after May 1, 2024, on file with the Woodson Athletic trainers.
- Completed a swim test
First-time athletes (those who have NOT previously been on the water in a Woodson Rowing boat) should register for their first day on the water on a MONDAY in order to receive a more thorough orientation. After your first day, you are welcome to come on any and all days that fit your schedule.
Every new rower and coxswain is required to pass a swim test certified by a Woodson Rowing Coach prior to participating in green days and on-the-water practices. Passage of this test is required only once so if you have completed a swim test in prior seasons, you don’t need to do it again.
Click here for more info and to sign up: Swim Test Sign Up
LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION
Green days take place at the Woodson boathouse located at Sandy Run Regional Park (10450 Van Thompson Road, Fairfax Station, VA). Participants are responsible for their own transportation, and carpooling is highly recommended.
The Woodson boathouse is closest to the water. From the parking lot, walk down the hill toward the water. The Woodson boathouse is the last boathouse on the left (tucked behind the boathouse that’s higher up on the hill). We share some of the space with the Madison Rowing team, so don’t be surprised to see some Madison athletes milling around!!
Woodson Rowing Green Days FAQ
Compiled by Coach Tylander
Green Days continue into the fall before the boathouse is locked down for the winter. Around Thanksgiving, the team begins Winter Conditioning. In an ordinary season, on-the-water practices begin in mid-February and the first regatta is held in the third or fourth week of March. Regattas continue weekly until the VASRA tournament in May, after which rowers may be able to compete in the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia and the SRAA National Regatta.
- Why don’t you just call Green Days practices?
- Are Green Days mandatory?
- Should I participate in Green Days?
- What do I need to do before I can to participate in a Green Day?
- When and where do I take a swim test?
- How do I sign up for a Green Days?
- Do I have to pay for Green Days?
- Where are Green Days held?
- Is there a bus to Sandy Run after school?
- What is a Green Day? Short answer – An optional out-of-season session. Rowing is a spring sport. Long Answer – For a many years the VHSL (Virginia High School League) forbid any out-of-season meetings between athletic teams and coaches. Recently the VHSL lifted this restriction, but put in place a rule forbidding out-of-season coaches to hold any type of gathering with their team for a little over a week at the start of each season (fall, winter, spring). This is to make sure that coaches do not interfere with tryouts for the current season. These days are coded in red on the calendar and are referred to as “Red Days”. Fairfax County Schools (FCPS) then decided to allow some out-of-season contact between coaches and athletes. They have set in place guidelines for the number of meetings and type of activities that can be performed. These restrictions are designed to protect the student athlete and keep the emphasis on education. These limited days in which out-of-season coaches can meet with athletes are referred to as, “Green Days.” It has nothing to do with the punk band from the 90s.
- Why don’t you just call Green Days practices? Because I was told specifically by the Director of Student Activities to never do this.
- Are Green Days mandatory? No! They are completely voluntary. By rule they cannot be tied to tryouts or line-ups in the spring. The vast majority of high school students who join Woodson Rowing have never rowed before. We use the fall Green Days as an opportunity to introduce prospective team members to the sport and teach them the basics of rowing. Because Woodson Rowing is a club sport, there is a cost associated with it. Green Days allow students and parents to learn about rowing before they make a monetary and time investment.
- Should I participate in Green Days? Yes! Rowing is the greatest sport in the world and more rowing is always better (OK, we may a little biased). In all seriousness, it is great opportunity to find out what rowing is all about. If you have any interest in rowing, Green Days are a great way to see if that interest is warranted.
- What do I need to do before I can to participate in a Green Day? In order to participate in a Green Day an athlete must have a valid VHSL Physical Form on file with the school. In order for it to be updated in the database it should be turned in to the Woodson Athletic Trainer at least 3 business days before the Green Days start. You must also have an Student Emergency Care Form on file with team. Finally, you must pass a swim test supervised by the team.
- When and where do I take a swim test? Join our newsletter to stay abreast of all upcoming dates and sign up links. If you are not on the distribution list, send an email to [email protected] to get on the list!
- How do I sign up for a Green Days? Look for information in email updates or on Slack.
- Do I have to pay for Green Days? No, they are completely free (Also by FCPS rule, coaches, are considered “volunteers,” and cannot be paid. Coaches love this rule).
- Where are Green Days held? Green Days are held in the same place we hold practices in the spring, Sandy Run Regional Park, Boathouse 1 10450 Van Thompson Rd, Fairfax Station, VA 22039.
- Is there a bus to Sandy Run after school? Unfortunately, no. Woodson Rowing is not subsidized by FCPS (you will hear more about this if you decide to join the team) so we do not have access to the school buses. In the spring we may have an optional charter bus that you can buy a seat on, but we do not have the numbers to make this work in the fall.
Got general rowing questions? Visit US Rowing’s “Rowing 101” page.