HAPPY NEW YEAR!! First official newsletter of 2024 is chock full of information, with the uniform store being open and preparations for the spring season starting. Read on to learn more!
1. *NEW* UNIFORM STORE IS OPEN!
2. *NEW* ERG SPRINTS – SIGN UP NOW!
3. *NEW* VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND!
4. *NEW* SWIM TEST
5. *SAVE THE DATE* ON-THE-WATER MEETING, THU., FEB 15
6. REGISTER FOR WOODSON ROWING
7. ANNUAL SAFESPORT REVIEW FROM US ROWING
8. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS
ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK
Order Uniforms, if needed
Register for ErgSprints
Review Volunteer Opportunities
1. *NEW* UNIFORM STORE IS OPEN!
This year’s uniform is consistent with prior years, so it is not a requirement to purchase a new uniform if your athlete already has one. Samples have been made available for students to try on during conditioning hours. This will continue throughout the next week so all participants can determine sizing. The uniform sizes run small, so please order up a size if your rower does not get the chance to try one on.
Find all the information you need to order uniforms or training items on our website:
Uniform Store Info.
ORDERING DEADLINE: JANUARY 17, 2024. All items will be distributed in late March. Questions? Please contact the Sportswear Chair, Cheryl Urban, via Slack or email: [email protected].
If cost is an issue, please contact the Booster President, Bill Westman, at [email protected].
2. *NEW* ERG SPRINTS – SIGN UP NOW!
Erg Sprints is the largest indoor rowing competition in the United States, and it is held locally at Alexandria City HS! In this competition, athletes have the opportunity to experience the excitement of competition and compete against rowers from all over the DC Metro Area. Events include 2k’s, 20 minute pieces, relays, and more. It will take place on Saturday, February 3rd. All rowers are highly encouraged to attend and many have been planning out their events with their coaches. Participation is optional and athletes who are looking to participate should register on their own (but the more the merrier)! More information and registration can be found at: https://www.ergsprints.com/.
Please note that you are with the Woodson Crew Boosters when registering! You will be required to have an updated USRowing membership to participate. In order to have the team update your membership or purchase a new one (for novices only), you MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE TEAM. Contact Jenn Ros, membership chair, with any questions.
3. *NEW* VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND!
With the season around the corner, volunteer opportunities are going to be constantly opening up. So, please stay tuned to the weekly newsletters OR bookmark our Volunteering webpage to stay on top of how to play your part in making this an amazing season.
Current volunteer opportunities:
- CRITICAL BOARD POSITION: We are seeking someone to be the Board Secretary for the season. Our current secretary, Jenny Champagne, is available to help someone transition into this role, so you won’t be going it alone! This position entails finalizing agendas for monthly board meetings, recording, preparing and distributing meeting minutes, and maintaining files of all meeting minutes. The Secretary also coordinates the annual End-of-Year party/meeting. Stepping up for this critical role satisfies ALL of your volunteer credits for the season. Please contact Bill at [email protected] to learn more.
- PARENT SWIM TEST VOLUNTEER: Seeking one volunteer to provide support to coaches while they administer the swim test at Audrey Moore Rec Center on Saturday, February 10 from 10-11a. Great volunteer job for a new rower parent who is going to already be there. No experience needed or required. First to sign up on the sign up genius wins!
- BOATHOUSE WORKDAY: Our next Boathouse workday will be on Saturday, February 10 from 9-11a. Help the coaches get everything ready for on-the-water practice and the beginning of the season! Sign Up Here.
- HOST THE PARENT SOCIAL: We are looking to have someone host a parent social on either 2/24 or 3/2! This will be an opportunity to meet members of the board, the coaches, other parents, and to learn more about the sport and the season. This will be a potluck gathering. Please contact Jenn Ros at [email protected] if you are interested in hosting or would like more information.
- VARIOUS COORDINATORS: We are seeking parents who are willing to help us coordinate various events throughout the season. Think carpooling, onsite coordination at away regattas, and more. Please see the Volunteer webpage for more info and for who to contact if you’re interested!
4. *NEW* SWIM TEST
The next swim test is scheduled for Saturday, February 10, 10:00-11:00a. If you are a new rower or coxswain and have not yet done a swim test, you are REQUIRED to pass a swim test certified by Woodson Rowing prior to participating in on-the-water practices. Passage of this test is required only once. If you have completed a swim test in prior seasons, you don’t need to do it again.
Swim Tests are held at Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA. This Sign-Up Genius has all the info you will need to succeed.
5. *SAVE THE DATE* 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 (location TBD – mostly likely Woodson Cafeteria). 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. If you cannot attend, we will share a link to the slides following the meeting.
6. REGISTER FOR WOODSON ROWING
If you haven’t registered for the spring season, what are you waiting for? Click here to register for the season! Still have questions? Reach out to our membership team at [email protected].
If the cost of participating is an issue, please reach out to Jenn Ros, membership chair via Slack or [email protected]. Also, consider applying for the Occoquan Boat Club (OBC) Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship. The details on applying are located on the OBC website https://www.rowobc.org/home/scholarships. The application deadline is January 27, 2024. Direct any questions to Clint Spooner at [email protected]. **Please note, Woodson Rowing is not affiliated with OBC and is not at all involved in this scholarship process.**
7. ANNUAL SAFESPORT REVIEW FROM US ROWING
If you did not get a chance to read the notice from USRowing regarding their annual SafeSport review, you can find the notice and Woodson Rowing’s SafeSport policy on our website. If you ever have questions about SafeSport, please review our policy or contact the Board President at [email protected].
8. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS
JANUARY 2024
- Registration for the season continues.
- Winter conditioning continues on schedule
- Thu. 1/18: Noodles & Co. restaurant fundraiser
- Sun. 1/21: Profs&Pints Fundraiser
FEBRUARY
- Sat. 2/3: ErgSprints
- Sat. 2/10: Swim test, 10-11a
- Sat. 2/10: Boathouse Workday, 9-11a
- Thu. 2/15: on-the-water parent meeting, in-person, 7:30p
- Fri. 2/16: Last day of winter conditioning
- Mon. 2/19: Deadline for returning athlete refunds
- Mon. 2/19: Practice begins. Baseline erg testing at school. Time TBD.
- 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
MARCH
- Thu. 3/7: Deadline for novice athlete refunds
- Racing season begins! 2024 Racing Schedule
- Wed. 3/13: Chipotle restaurant fundraiser
- 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.
- Sat. 4/20: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta, Sandy Run
- Wed. 4/24: Panera restaurant fundraiser
- 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.)