Welcome to another special edition newsletter regarding the Stotesbury Cup Regatta! Some of this information is fluid, but please read this newsletter, watch our web page and join the #2023-stotesbury channel on Slack for all of the immediate information you need to know.
1. BASIC INFO
2. LUGGAGE DROP-OFF
3. VOLUNTEER OPENINGS
4. TRANSPORTATION IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
A. TEAM BUS FOR ATHLETES AND COACHES
B. BEST OPTION – UBER/LYFT, etc. DROP OFF/PICK-UP
C. PARKING
D. FREE SHUTTLES
5. ONCE THERE, WHERE DO I GO?
6. WHAT TO BRING?
7. PREPARE FOR WEATHER!
8. FEEL FREE TO COME AND GO! STROLL AROUND!
ACTION ITEMS
Luggage Drop-Off TONIGHT (Wed, May17), 7:00-8:00p Woodson Door 3.
Bring Luggage Check-in Form and Medication Form (if applicable).
- BASIC INFO
Please visit Woodson’s Stotesbury Information Page for details. Any changes have been placed prominently at the top of the page to help you sift through all the info.
It looks like there will be approximately 877 boats competing, comprising a total of almost 5000 athletes. Combine that with spectators, retail and locals and you have an incredible amount of people converging on one area in a short period of time! So, our biggest suggestion is this: bring your patience. This is fun and overwhelming and new for so many of our athletes. We are honored and excited to guide them as best we can.
We’ve worked to distill all the information that has been put out below and on our website. If you prefer to hear the information from the organizers directly, and have 90 minutes to spare, feel free to access the recording of a webinar that the Schuykill Navy put together here. Be prepared to learn about all the details you may want and more!
- LUGGAGE DROP-OFF
Luggage drop-off is tonight at 7 PM at Woodson. If athletes are bringing their luggage tonight without a parent, parents must sign Part I of this form. If parents are accompanying their student to drop off luggage, bring that same form and sign Part II so we can confirm the luggage contains no prohibited items.
All bags except carry-ons must be turned in at this time; this baggage will be inaccessible during bus travel. Students must accompany their own bags for this search, which is supervised by the coaching staff. This expedites the team’s departure on Thursday and leaves only carry-on bags to be searched before boarding the bus. All bags will be secured in a locked room until the bus is loaded on May 18.
- VOLUNTEER OPENINGS: The following volunteer slots must be filled ASAP before we head to Stotesbury!
– Boat parent for the Men’s Jr-8. The primary jobs of this position are to ensure that the athletes are on time and in their rooms prior to lights out. You will serve as the boat’s point of contact if any issues arise.
– Chaperone “boat parent” for the male alternates attending. They will be roomed together. Job duties are as described above.
See all remaining volunteer openings here: Stotesbury Sign-Up Genius
- TRANSPORTATION IN PHILADELPHIA, PA
A. TEAM BUS FOR ATHLETES AND COACHES: Space permitting, parents are allowed to ride the bus for free from the hotel to the river and back. However, there are some complications due to our spread between the Residence Inn and Springhill Suites. We are working with the bus company to see just what is possible with the hour-long round-trip for the buses. Due to the limited space on the buses, it may not be convenient or possible for chaperones, parents and other spectators to ride the bus from the Residence Inn or Springhill Suites to and from the regatta site. As a result, it would be advisable to have some contingency plans in place for your own transportation.
B. BEST OPTION – UBER/LYFT, etc. DROP OFF/PICK-UP: According to the coordination team for the regatta, the BEST option is ride-share (Uber, Lyft, etc.) to and from the “Entry Gate,” which is located on Kelly Drive under the Strawberry Mansion Bridge. The following guidance has been provided to get you to the best spot for drop-offs/pick-ups:
- If you’re using Google Maps, you can use “Furness Gateway.” Keep in mind, however, that traffic on Kelly Drive will only flow in a single direction INBOUND to the City. So this will get you “close” but not all the way in.
- Most RideShare Apps will allow you to add a GOOGLE PLUS CODE to get you to a convenient drop off spot. The GOOGLE PLUS LOCATION CODE is XRW5+5C Philadelphia, PA.
- For more information, look to the Stotesbury Cup Regatta Travel page.
C. PARKING: There are 4 lots off-site that are managed by Standard Parking. Fees will be around $20. Do not park anywhere else in Fairmount Park or risk being ticketed and/or towed. Find the location of off-site parking lots here
D. FREE SHUTTLES: Shuttles will make a continuous loop throughout Fairmont park and are free to ride.
- ONCE THERE, WHERE DO I GO? The team spaces are assigned numbers based on when we register for tent space. There are 60+ tents, with the first being closest to the Athlete Village. Right now our preliminary tent number is #8 which will be finalized on THURSDAY MORNING (5/18). So, please keep an eye on our Slack channel to be able to find the team during the race.
- WHAT TO BRING?
– Athletes should have a packing list from their coaches, but can also check our website for suggestions.
– Spectators, please note that you should bring your own refillable water bottle and your own folding chairs, if desired.
– By the way, Cheryl Urban, our Sportswear Chair, will be setting up a small Woodson merchandise shop at the team tent. So we’ve got you covered if you forget any of your Woodson merch!
- PREPARE FOR WEATHER! As it is right now, the forecast is calling for rain on Saturday. Be prepared for all types of weather!
- FEEL FREE TO COME AND GO! STROLL AROUND! If you didn’t purchase the ability to eat the chuckwagon food with the team, do not fear! There are plenty of options onsite with various food trucks. Keep in mind that, like in all things, nothing is fully predictable so feel free to explore all Philadelphia has to offer between races!
- ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? If you have any additional questions that have not been answered here or on the website, please post in the #2023-stotesbury channel on Slack. If you’ve got a question, we guarantee at least one other person has that same question.