Posted on by VP Communications

May 13, 2025 Newsletter

What an incredible end to the championship season. Woodson Rowing brought home the W2V state title AND a bid for SRAA Nationals for the WJr4+. As usual, we are full steam ahead into the week with LOTS of activity and things to do!

1. PRACTICES FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON

2. STOTESBURY UPDATES
A. LUGGAGE DROP-OFF ON WEDNESDAY, 5/14
B. WHAT HAPPENS ON THURSDAY?
C. TEAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
D. THE SLACK CHANNEL
E. RACING SCHEDULE
F. PARENT INFO ZOOM HOSTED BY STOTESBURY TONIGHT, 5:30p
G. WORK AT THE REGATTA FOR AN ENTRY PASS

3. SRAA NATIONALS

4. LOTS OF VOLUNTEERING NEEDS REMAIN!

5. SUMMER ERG RENTAL

6. 2025-2025 SCHOOL PHYSICAL

7. FINAL RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER – ALL DAY, MONDAY, 5/19

8. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

SUPPORT THE TEAM!

1. PRACTICES FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON
Practices will be focused for Stotesbury participants and those going to Nationals. If you are unsure if an athlete should come to practice, please have the ATHLETE check with the coaches. We know it is challenging sometimes when our athletes do not communicate with their families, but this is a golden opportunity to teach your athletes the art of independence and advocacy. Also, our coaches have full-time jobs, families and then coach our kids. The more we can help them stay focused on the athletes, the better for everyone!

2. STOTESBURY UPDATES
Everyone is registered, paid and up-to-date on forms! WOO HOO! Thanks for your diligence in getting all of these important things done before we leave on Thursday.A. LUGGAGE DROP-OFF ON WEDNESDAY, 5/14

Luggage drop-off is tomorrow (5/14), 7-8 PM at Woodson, Door 3. Please bring your athlete’s bags and any medicine (this includes over-the-counter medication such as ibuprofen). Enter through Door 3 (the door by the big rock out front) and you’ll see volunteers on hand to check luggage.

All bags except carry-ons must be turned in at this time; this baggage will be inaccessible during bus travel. All bags will be secured in a locked room until the bus is loaded on May 16. The coaches prefer that students accompany their own bags for drop-off. So, this is your motherly advice to PACK TONIGHT.

Be aware that carry-on bags will be quickly searched before boarding the bus, so keep the prohibited items at home. Unsure what’s prohibited? Visit our website and scroll down to the “PACKING” section.

There are two options on the Luggage Check-in form:

  1. PARENTS may search the bags for prohibited items (alcohol, duct tape, cigarettes, etc.) and sign the lower portion of the form attesting that you have done so. If you choose this option, a parent must bring the bags to Woodson Wednesday night  with Part II of the form signed so we can confirm the luggage contains no prohibited items. Please be aware that coaches/volunteers will still likely do a perfunctory search of the bag. That is often because parents are unaware of things that are “not recommended” items to bring, such as a toy lightsaber (yes – someone tried to bring one of those once).
  2. If athletes are bringing their luggage without a parent, parents must sign Part I of this form consenting to have the bags searched by volunteers under the supervision of coaching staff.

If you need assistance deciding what to pack, visit our Stotesbury webpage and scroll down to the “PACKING” section to learn more.

IF YOUR ATHLETE REQUIRES MEDICATION OF ANY KIND (THIS INCLUDES OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN MEDS SUCH AS TYLENOL AND ADVIL):

Please provide a hard copy of the Medication Form at the luggage check-in on May 15. Complete the form with as much information as you are comfortable sharing. The form, along with all medications in their original containers, must be placed in a sealable plastic bag, labeled with the ATHLETE’S NAME. This will be reviewed and checked-in Wednesday evening during the baggage search. Please just send enough for your student for just the trip. Questions? Visit our Stotesbury webpage and scroll down to the “TRANSPORT OF MEDICATIONS” section to learn more.B. WHAT HAPPENS ON THURSDAY?

Parents do not need to notify the Attendance office of your athlete’s absence. The team has already provided a list of all athletes attending this trip. This is considered an excused absence.

Athletes should go to school as they normally would EXCEPT if they drive. They should NOT leave vehicles in the parking lot for the duration of the trip so should make alternative arrangements to get to school. Athletes will attend all of first period. When the bell rings, they will make their way to Door 3 to board the buses. Buses will depart by 10:15a at the latest, so athletes should move with haste after the bell rings.

Any chaperones traveling on the buses and volunteers assisting with attendance and bus loading should be at Door 3 around 9:30-9:45a.

C. TEAM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We still have many open slots for volunteers at Stotesbury. Remember that many hands make light work!! Visit the Stotesbury Volunteer Sign Up for the long list of volunteering opportunities available, both at home and at the race site.

D. THE SLACK CHANNEL
Make sure you check #2025-stotesbury to stay abreast of all updates. We will be posting updates during the trip, to include an ETA when the athletes will be returning to Woodson on Saturday. This is your one-stop-shop for information.

E. RACING SCHEDULE
The racing schedule has been released. You can find a preview and explanation on our website at woodsonrowing.org/stotesbury. If you’re the info gathering type, you can deep dive on Rowtown.org.

F. PARENT INFO ZOOM HOSTED BY STOTESBURY TONIGHT, 5:30p
Organizers are hosting a Parents “Zoom” Info session on Tuesday May 13 at 5:30 pm during which they will answer most questions you may have. You must pre-register to join HERE.

G. WORK AT THE REGATTA FOR AN ENTRY PASS
Spectating is absolutely free. But. you can get an Entry Pass (this is the ability to drive in and park on-site for one day) if you volunteer for TWO shifts (across all spots available during the regatta). If you sign up for three shifts, you will receive a two-day Entry Pass. You can sign up to volunteer HERE (Do so soon if you are interested. Spots will fill fast).  If you choose to volunteer, please let Lisa Veigel know – especially if you haven’t fulfilled your volunteer duties for our team this year. Please note your affiliation with Woodson on the SUG.

3. SRAA NATIONALS
Congratulations to our MFr8+ and WJr4+ who qualified to race in SRAA Nationals! A Slack channel has been created specifically for SRAA discussions, if your athlete is attending please make sure you’re in the channel: #2025-sraa. We are currently working on securing hotel rooms and the like, so we appreciate your patience as we juggle both travel regattas! For folks that like to do their own research, all the info we currently have is here: https://woodsonrowing.org/sraa/.

4. LOTS OF VOLUNTEERING NEEDS REMAIN!
As a reminder, failure to meet your volunteer credits by the end of the season will result in a $200 per credit charge. Questions about the status of your family’s fulfillment of volunteer requirements should be sent to Lisa Veigel, Volunteer Coordinator. Click any of the links below to fulfill your current volunteer credits:

5. SUMMER ERG RENTAL
The team will have a limited number of ergs available for athlete rental over the summer. The cost to rent an erg will be $200.00 (pre-paid). Pick up will be at the end of season banquet on Wednesday, 5/28. Ergs will be returned prior to the start of winter conditioning in October 2025. Reserve your erg here: https://woodsonrowing.org/erg-rental/

6. 2025-2025 SCHOOL PHYSICAL
Each year, it is required that all student athletes have a completed VHSL physical on file before participating in sports. Completing that physical at the end of the school year  means that you won’t run into rushing to get a physical at the start of the crew season next year!

To aid in that end, the Athletic Training Programs at various high schools in NoVA hold a Sports Physical Night. The goal of Sports Physical Night is to provide a complete pre-participation examination screening that will leave student athletes with a valid VHSL physical for the entirety of the 2025-26 school year. The cost for the physical is $50. 

The Athletic Training Program receives no funding from FCPS, and this event is their ONLY fundraiser for the year. ALL proceeds go towards helping the program purchase supplies. 

Sign up for an appointment for a physical here. Even If you cannot make the Woodson event on June 10, sign up for another school’s event using the same form.

NOTE: There is a NEW VHSL Physical Form for the 2025-2026 school year! Make sure that you use the NEW form (it says April 2025 in the top right corner), whether you take advantage of the Athletic Training Program’s event or use your own doctor.

7. FINAL RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER – ALL DAY, MONDAY, 5/19
&Pizza (in the same plaza as Trader Joe’s) is hosting a restaurant day on behalf of the team. We need at least $400 in sales to receive a benefit through this fundraiser, so SPREAD THE WORD!!!!


📅 When: 05/19/2025  11AM to 9PM

📍 Where: &Pizza, 9476 Main Street, Fairfax, VA.

8. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
This calendar is constantly updated as events are added. Scroll here for a quick rundown of what’s up and coming. Where relevant and/or available, links are provided for more information. You can also see a visual representation of our calendar on our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/calendar/

MAY

SUPPORT THE TEAM!

PHOTOS: Visit our Woodson Rowing photos for more information on how you can help protect our legacy with photographs!

REP THE TEAM WITH PRIDE: There are many ways for you to shop and benefit the team all while sporting your support. See our Spirit wear page for more info!

SPONSOR WOODSON ROWING? Visit our website at https://woodsonrowing.org/sponsors/ or contact Woodson Rowing Fundraising.

FEELING GENEROUS? No amount is too big or too small and is a HUGE part of our success!  Visit our Donors page for more information on how your donations will be used.

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