Posted on by VP Communications

March 14, 2024 – Polar Bear Regatta Special

Welcome to a special edition newsletter as we head into our first regatta! Lots of details below, especially if this is your first regatta. The weather is set to be sunny and cool. Fingers crossed it stays that way! Spectators should plan accordingly – lots of layers – as the grandstands are open to the elements.

1. TEAM DINNER, TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MARCH 15!
2. REGATTA VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED
3. ATTENTION ALL PARENT VOLUNTEERS – ACTION NEEDED
4. POLAR BEAR REGATTA THIS SATURDAY, 3/16!
5. DON’T FORGET YOUR SPIRIT WEAR!
6. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

ACTION ITEMS FOR THIS WEEK

  • For Friday night dinners: if you haven’t already, please send a note to [email protected] if your athlete has any dietary restrictions or religious exemptions.
  • Complete USRowing Registration Requirements (outstanding members have been notified).
  • Parent Volunteers: please review the USRowing Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) so that you can positively acknowledge that you are aware of the policies prior to any regatta volunteering.

1. TEAM DINNER, TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MARCH 15!
Our first Friday Night Team Dinner is this Friday, March 15 at 7:00p in Cafeteria A at Woodson.

  • All the volunteer slots for this Friday are full. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS!
    Sign up here to help with future Friday night dinners.
  • Dinner is for all athletes only and will be served around 7:15 – 7:30p (plenty of time to get to the school after practice).
  • NO DRINKS WILL BE PROVIDED. Athletes should bring their refillable water bottles.
  • All athletes must plan to stay for the duration of the meal and for a quick clean up afterwards. Plan to pick up athletes around 8:30-9:00p.

2. REGATTA VOLUNTEERS ALWAYS NEEDED
Gentle reminder that if you sign up, you’re expected to volunteer. If it is a regatta weekend and you are unable to fulfill your duties, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Lisa Veigel, so that she can try to help you find a replacement for your shift.

All volunteer slots for the regatta this weekend are full. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! Sign up here to help at future regattas. Feel free to check back frequently, even if shifts appear to be full, in case others are unable to fulfill their duties. If you sign up to drive a launch, you must have completed the recent launch driver training.

3. ATTENTION ALL PARENT VOLUNTEERS – ACTION NEEDED
There is a new requirement this year that all parent volunteers need to acknowledge the USRowing Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) that addresses how to report a violation of potential abuse against an athlete. Upon arrival for your shift, all volunteers will be required to sign an acknowledgement form (located at the sign-in table) indicating that they are aware of this policy and how to report a potential violation.  In order to save time on the day of your shift, please review this policy ahead of time so that you can quickly sign the required acknowledgement and head to your post. Please reach out to Lisa Veigel, Volunteer Coordinator, with any questions.  Thanks for your help and diligence in protecting our athletes.

You can find the policy here: USRowing Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP)

4. POLAR BEAR REGATTA THIS SATURDAY, 3/16!
Our first regatta for our varsity boats is this Saturday. Woodson will be racing 5 boats between, approximately, 9am to 1p. According to the current TENTATIVE event list, smaller boats will be racing first. So, all of our boats should be prepared/plan to be the later races of the day. Specific race times will be finalized and shared with coaches late tonight. Athletes should anticipate hearing more about timing by practice on Friday, 3/15.

Feel free to check here for more information: Regatta Central – Polar Bear Regatta.

Results and heatsheets will be posted here, when available: VASRA website.

ATTENDANCE: While no novice boats row at this regatta, novice athletes are highly encouraged to attend, if available. Regattas are a unique experience and familiarity with how they run will help the athletes as they prepare for their first regatta, next weekend. Learning the mechanics and rhythms of a regatta before they participate builds confidence and experience. Plus, it’s fun to watch your teammates race without dealing with your own nerves!

NOVICES: plan to be at the boathouse about 1 hour before Woodson boats hit the water. 

RETURNING ATHLETES: Coaches will be setting lineups at practice, so you will hear from your coaches what boat you will be on. Unless told otherwise by a coach, athletes are advised to be at the boathouse no later than two hours before their scheduled race, and coxswains must be there for the coxswain’s meeting.

ATHLETES and PARENT/GUARDIANS: We will communicate specific timing information via Slack as it becomes available. If you aren’t yet on Slack, send a message to [email protected].

REGATTA PARKING AND GETTING TO THE GRANDSTAND
This is always a big deal and a big issue until you realize what the system is like, so we highly recommend that you plan lots of excess time to get to where you need to go. As we all know, Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance, so a little goes a long way. All of the information below, and more, is located on our website. If you’re nervous or curious, go there to learn more: Sandy Run Park Info.

OFFSITE PARKING FOR SPECTATORS: There is no spectator/visitor parking at Sandy Run. As a result, families should plan accordingly.

  • Parents driving athletes can drop athletes off at Sandy Run and then proceed to the offsite parking area. If you are only dropping off your rower, plan on arriving on site at least 15 minutes before your rower needs to report because Hampton Road and Van Thompson Road are sometimes backed up with cars. Tell the parking volunteers that you are dropping off a rower, and they will direct you.
  • Spectators will park at South County High School and take a shuttle bus to the regatta. The cost of the shuttles is $15 round trip paid at South County prior to boarding the bus. Athletes in uniform can ride the shuttle for free.  Families should plan for a 15-20 minute walk or a shorter shuttle ride between where the buses stop (Lot C) and the grandstand.
  • The shuttles are scheduled to begin at 7:00 am (2 hours before the first race) and will conclude running from Sandy Run NLT 1 hour after the last race. 

To get to the grandstands from Lot C, you have two options:
1. You can walk. The path is unpaved and very hilly. It is about ¾ of a mile and takes about 20 minutes to walk.

2. You can take the shuttle van which costs a small fee each way. In the past this fee has been $5 EACH WAY. Please plan accordingly. The shuttle runs continuously and takes about 5 minutes.

ONSITE PARKING: Onsite parking is limited to the groups below only. There is no fee for these groups to park at Sandy Run.

  • ATHLETES: parking is available in the Loisvale Lot. Please plan for a short walk from parking to the water!
  • VOLUNTEERS: Lot D (larger gravel lot that is to the right as you pass the gated entry to the park)
  • COACHES: Lot D. There will be designated parking. Please display your green coaches hangtag.
  • STAFF / LOC: B lot, second row from the back. This is the paved lot closest to the water on the right.
  • REFEREES: B lot, back row
  • HANDICAPPED: Lot C, as designated.This is the smaller gravel lot to the left as you pass through the gated entry.

Get ready to PULL FOR WOODSON this weekend and we will see the student-athletes at the pre-regatta dinner tomorrow night!

5. DON’T FORGET YOUR SPIRIT WEAR!
Purchase Woodson Rowing Spirit Wear and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the team.

6. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

MARCH

On-the-water practice. (M-F: 4-6:30p; Sa: 8:30-10:30a)

2024 Racing Schedule

  • Fri 3/15: Team dinner. Athletes & Volunteers only. Cafe A, directly after practice.
  • Sat. 3/16: Polar Bear Regatta, Sandy Run
  • Sun. 3/17: Rescheduled ChuckWagon Workday, 11:30a
  • 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.)