Posted on by VP Communications

January 18, 2024 Newsletter

Two exciting fundraisers to participate in this week. Plus, lots of volunteer opportunities! Read on to learn more.

1. *NEW* RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER TONIGHT!
2. *NEW* PROFS & PINTS FUNDRAISER: SUN, JAN 21, 1PM
3. ERG SPRINTS – SIGN UP NOW!
4. LOTS OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
5. SWIM TEST – REQUIRED FOR NEW ATHLETES
6. *SAVE THE DATE* ON-THE-WATER MEETING, THU., FEB 15
7. REGISTER FOR WOODSON ROWING
8. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK
Participate in fundraisers!!

1. *NEW* RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER TONIGHT!

Hungry? Head to Noodles & Co. after 4pm to satisfy those cravings. Grab dinner for the whole fam!! Mention Woodson Crew when ordering in person or use the code “GIVING25” if ordering online or via the app. 25% of proceeds will be donated back to our team.

2. *NEW* PROFS & PINTS FUNDRAISER: SUN, JAN 21, 1PM

Join Mary “Missy” Cummings (mom of EJ on the girls’ team) at Crooked Run Fermentation on January 21 at 1:00 pm. Missy will talk about The Promises and Perils of AI, why people call her Elon Musk’s worst nightmare, and whether AI and robots are a threat to your job. A portion of the proceeds will go to Woodson Rowing, so come out and support Missing AND our boys and girls in the boats!

Buy tickets in advance and learn more here: Profs&Pints with Missy Cummings

OR just show up and pay at the door!

3. 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.

4. LOTS OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

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 AVAILABLE: We are seeking someone to be the Board Secretary. 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.
  • VASRA LOC POSITIONS: Woodson Rowing is required to fill two Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) Local Organizing Committee (LOC) positions for this season, one Dockmaster position and one River Rat position. 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. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Michael Chase, our VASRA Rep, at [email protected].
  • 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.
  • 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!

5. SWIM TEST – REQUIRED FOR NEW ATHLETES

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.

6. *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.

7. 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.**

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, 11a-8p

MARCH

  • Sat. 3/2: Launch Boat Driver Training. 11a-1p.
  • Thu. 3/7: Deadline for novice athlete refunds
  • Racing season begins! 2024 Racing Schedule
  • 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.
  • Sat. 4/20: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta, Sandy Run
  • Wed. 4/24: Panera restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
  • 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.)