March 16, 2023 – Special: First Team Dinner and Polar Bear Regatta

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 partly cloudy and cold. Spectators should plan accordingly – lots of layers – as the grandstands are open to the elements.

1. TEAM DINNER, TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MARCH 17!
2. *IMPORTANT* US ROWING REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
3. POLAR BEAR REGATTA THIS SATURDAY!
4. VASRA REGATTA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
5. SPIRIT WEAR – GET IT NOW!
6. AT-A-GLANCE
7. SPREAD THE WORD

TEAM DINNER, TOMORROW, FRIDAY, MARCH 17!
Our first Friday Night Team Dinner is this Friday, March 17 at 7:15p in Cafeteria B 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 7:15p (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.

*IMPORTANT* US ROWING REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Everyone who is not in compliance with US Rowing registration requirements (either filling out a US Rowing waiver or completing SafeSport verification for athletes 18 years old or older) has been notified by the team. Coach Tylander posted a list of outstanding requirements in the athlete slack. Please complete your requirements ASAP. If they are not complete in time for the regatta, your athlete will not be able to compete. Email Jenn Ros with questions: [email protected]

POLAR BEAR REGATTA THIS SATURDAY!
Our first regatta for our varsity boats is this Saturday. Woodson will be racing five boats between, approximately, 10:15a and noon. Specific race times will be finalized and shared with coaches late tonight. Athletes should anticipate hearing more about timing by tomorrow.

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

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: You should already know which 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.

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 South County High School to park. South County High School is located at 8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA 22079.
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.

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

ATHLETES: you will have parking available at Sandy Run 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.
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!

VASRA REGATTA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Thank you so much for already volunteering for so many VASRA shifts! 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, Michelle Byman, 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.

We are still looking for a dedicated volunteer or two to serve in a recurring role on the dock during regattas. Each team has a responsibility to identify a parent to perform these duties during all the regattas we attend. We usually split it between 2 or 3 folks to accommodate schedules, and we have one parent returning from last season. This job gives you a great view of the action on the water, directs traffic at the busy docks and helps keep regattas organized under the close instruction of VASRA regatta officials. If you would consider serving in the position during some of our regattas, please contact Bill Westman – VASRA Rep at [email protected] and Michelle Byman – Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].

SPIRIT WEAR – GET IT NOW!
Be ready for the remainder of regatta season with your WT Woodson Crew spirit wear. A portion of the proceeds goes directly to the team, so you will benefit the team while showing off your team pride. Shop for items for athletes, as well as for parents, family, and friends. Visit the store today!

AT-A-GLANCE
March

Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafe B: 7:15p, Mar 17
REGATTA – Polar Bear at Sandy Run: Mar 18
Team Dinner @ Mantua ES (9107 Horner Ct): 7:15p, Mar 24
REGATTA – Regional Park at Sandy Run: Mar 25
Restaurant Fundraiser – &Pizza: Mar 29, 5-9pm

April

Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafe A: 7:15p, Mar 31
REGATTA – Invitational at St. Andrews, Middletown, DE: Apr 1
– (families provide own transportation)
Spring break: Practice scheduled as above Mon-Fri: Apr 3 – Apr 7
Restaurant Fundraiser – Toby’s Ice Cream in Vienna: Apr 5, 5-9p
Restaurant Fundraiser – Chipotle: Apr 12, 5-9pm
Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafe A: 7:15p, Apr 14
REGATTA – Tri-Meet at Anacostia River: Apr 15
Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafe A: 7:15p, Apr 21
REGATTA – Ryz Obuchowicz at Sandy Run: Apr 22
Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafe A: 7:15p, Apr 28
REGATTA – Al Urquia at Sandy Run: Apr 29

May

Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafe A: 7:15p, May 5
REGATTA – VSRC (State Championship) at Sandy Run, Day 1: May 6
Team Dinner @ Woodson Cafe A: 7:15p, May 12
REGATTA – VSRC (State Championship) at Sandy Run, Day 2: May 13
Restaurant Fundraiser – Noodles & Co: May 17, 4-8p
REGATTA (Qualifiers only) – Stotesbury Cup at Philadelphia, PA: May 19-20
REGATTA (Qualifiers only) – SRAA Championships at Oak Ridge, TN: May 26-27
End-of-Season Banquet for athletes and families @ Woodson Cafe A: May 31

SPREAD THE WORD

Continue to share the enthusiasm for your team as you speak to other students and encourage them to join! Please direct any questions about joining the team to [email protected].

Contact [email protected] to get signed up for our weekly communication and our Slack community.