Posted on by VP Communications

March 21, 2024 – Regional Park Special

It’s time for our novices to race! This weekend is the Regional Park Regatta at Sandy Run, and it will be the first time some of our novices have ever raced. There is rain in the forecast – and the grandstands are not weather proofed. Boats WILL race in the rain. So, spectators and athletes should come prepared for the weather and cold.

1. TEAM DINNER, TOMORROW, FRIDAY MARCH 22
2. REGATTA PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
3. REGIONAL PARK REGATTA VOLUNTEERS
4. REGIONAL PARK REGATTA, MARCH 23, 2024 – DETAILS
A. ATTENDANCE
B. ***NEW LOCATION*** OFF-SITE PARKING FOR SPECTATORS
C. ONSITE PARKING
5. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

1. TEAM DINNER, TOMORROW, FRIDAY MARCH 22: Friday Night Team Dinner will be in Cafeteria B at Woodson. The dinner is for athletes only and will be served around 7:15p. Catering is provided by Noodles & Co. The tentative menu is as follows:

  • Spaghetti (Meatballs on the side)
  • Mac & Cheese (Meatballs on the side)
  • Pesto Cavatappi (Parmesan chicken on the side)
  • Bread
  • Zucchini Rosa (specifically for gluten free athletes)

 For your ease, here is the Noodles & Co. website for allergen information: https://noodles.mymenuhd.com/MyMenu/Allergen

Also provided from Costco:

  • Salad (dressings are on the side)
  • Dessert (usually cookies + a gluten-free option)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • 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 8:30p
  • All the volunteer slots for this Friday are full. THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS! Sign up here to help with future Friday night dinners.

2. REGATTA PHOTOS AND VIDEOS: Keep snapping those photos and taking those videos! The BEST way to share your photos, to save them for posterity, AND to get them off your camera roll is to get them to the Woodson Rowing SmugMug site.

There are 2 ways to have your photos uploaded for the benefit of the team:

(1) You can upload them directly yourself. Each regatta will have its own gallery, so keep your eye on this newsletter and Slack for a new link each week.

UPLOAD YOUR POLAR BEAR REGATTA PHOTOS HERE: https://wtwoodsoncrew.smugmug.com/upload/bHRbvV/polarbear2024

UPLOAD YOUR REGIONAL PARK REGATTA PHOTOS HERE:
https://wtwoodsoncrew.smugmug.com/upload/rDcqVj/regionalpark2024

(2) You can also send them to Colin, our team photographer, and he will get them on the site. Send your photos via email: [email protected].

Please note: All the photos and videos posted in SmugMug are FREE to download, despite the tab which says “Buy photo.” That’s only if you want the site to print a physical copy of a photo.

Questions or problems? Contact our team photographer, Colin via Slack or email ([email protected]).


3. REGIONAL PARK REGATTA VOLUNTEERS: 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.

Gentle reminder that if you have signed up to volunteer, you’re expected to show up! 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.

Remember, prior to volunteering at a regatta, all parent volunteers need to review 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, you will be required to sign an acknowledgement form (located at the sign-in table) indicating that you 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. Thanks for your help and diligence in protecting our athletes.


4. REGIONAL PARK REGATTA, MARCH 23, 2024 – DETAILS: This will be the first regatta for many of our novices. Trust your training and your coaches. Let’s get ready to race! Stay tuned for specific race times, which will be finalized and shared with coaches late tonight. According to the tentative event list, varsity boats will race first, with novice boats closing out the racing of the day. Athletes should anticipate hearing more about specific timing by tomorrow at the latest.

Feel free to check here for general regatta information:
Regatta Central – Regional Park Regatta
VASRA website

A. ATTENDANCE: 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. More specific timing information will be communicated via Slack as it becomes available.

B. ***NEW LOCATION*** OFF-SITE PARKING FOR SPECTATORS: There is no spectator/visitor parking at Sandy Run. Off-site parking is located at a local commuter parking lot for this regatta.

  • Parents driving athletes can drop off at Sandy Run and then proceed to the off-site commuter parking lot located at:
    1325 Old Bridge Rd and Rt 123
    Woodbridge, VA 22192
  • Shuttle buses will run between the commuter parking lot and Lot C at Sandy Run. The cost of the shuttles is $15 CASH, round trip, paid at the Commuter Lot prior to boarding the bus. Athletes in uniform can ride the shuttle for free. Families should plan for a 15-20 minute hike to the grandstand.
  • There is an ADDITIONAL shuttle bus that runs from Lot C to the finish line for those who are not able to make the 1 mile hike to the grandstands. Please be aware that even with this method, there is a short walk from the finish line to the grandstands. Please plan accordingly. Cost is $5 CASH each way.
  • 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.

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

  • ATHLETES: Loisvale Lot. Plan for the 10 minute walk to the boathouse!
  • VOLUNTEERS: Lot D.
  • COACHES: Lot D. Please display your green coach hangtag.
  • STAFF / LOC: Lot B, second row from the back.
  • HANDICAPPED: Lot C, as designated. It is requested that you contact [email protected] prior to the regatta to ensure all accommodations can be met.

5. AT-A-GLANCE AND OTHER LINKS

MARCH
On-the-water practice. (M-F: 4:15-6:45p)
2024 Racing Schedule

APRIL

  • Fri. 4/5: Team dinner. Athletes & Volunteers only. Cafe B, 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 B, directly after practice.
  • Sat. 4/20: Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta, Sandy Run
  • Wed. 4/24: Panera restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
  • Fri. 4/26: SENIOR NIGHT & Team Dinner. Details TBD. Cafe B.
  • Sat. 4/27: Al Urquia Regatta, Sandy Run

MAY

  • Fri. 5/3: Team dinner. Truro Clubhouse (note new location).
  • Sat. 5/4: Virginia State Championship (Day 1), Sandy Run
  • Fri. 5/10: Last Team dinner. Cafe B, 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.)