Posted on by Comms

Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta: What You Need to Know (04/18)

This edition is your go-to guide for race day—read through and plan ahead to avoid race-day stress.

Weather is expected to be sunny and hot. It will be a long day with prelims and finals.
Plan accordingly!

What matters most:

💪 VASRA Waiver due ASAP — required to race

🙋Volunteer slots are FULL — thank you! If you can’t fulfill your shift, contact Lisa Veigel ASAP to arrange coverage.

📄 VASRA WAIVER (REQUIRED)

All athletes must have a completed VASRA waiver to race.

If you have not yet completed the waiver, you should have received an email from our Membership Chair with instructions and a direct link.

👉 Complete the waiver here: https://waivers.regattacentral.com/VASRA2026

Athletes without a completed waiver will not be allowed to race—please take care of this immediately if you have not already done so.

🔗 KEY LINKS

👉 Regatta Central (schedule & entries)

👉 VASRA (results & updates)

👉 @VASRA_SRRP (follow for real time updates)

👉 Drone coverage (available through Maverick Rowing)

🐻‍❄️RYZ OBUCHOWICZ REGATTA, 4/18

Woodson will race 9 boats between ~10:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Expect a lot of downtime between races—plan accordingly.

Some athletes will race multiple times, and there will be both heats and finals for most boats.

  • Heats = preliminary races that determine advancement
  • Finals = later races based on heat results
  • Flights = single, stand-alone races (no advancement)

The final schedule and the coaches’ cheat sheet will be shared via Slack when available.

🚣🏽ATHLETE ATTENDANCE

  • Rowers: arrive 2 hours before race
  • Coxswains: must attend coxswain meeting
  • Athletes should plan to stay for the full duration of racing, including finals, unless told otherwise by coaches.

Lineups will be posted on Slack (and social media) once finalized.

☀️ Heat Reminder:

It will be a long, hot day. Bring sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water. The team will have a cooling station at the boathouse to help keep you cool.

🚗 SPECTATOR PARKING (READ THIS)

There is NO spectator parking at Sandy Run.
⏱️ Build in extra time — traffic and lines are common

Step 1: Drop off athletes at Sandy Run.

Step 2: Park at offsite location (UPDATED):
📍 South County High School
8501 Silverbrook Road, Lorton, VA 22079

Step 3: Take shuttle to venue
💵 $10 each way ($20 total), cash preferred.
🎽Athletes in uniform ride free
⌚Shuttles run from 7:00 AM until 1 hour after the last race

Step 4: From Lot C to Grandstand
🚶Walk: Unpaved and hilly (~20 minutes)
🚕Shuttle van: $5 each way, cash is preferred.

🚘 ONSITE PARKING

Onsite parking is limited and not available to spectators.

  • Handicapped: Lot C (left after gated entry)
  • Athletes: Loisvale Lot (short walk to the boathouse; if full, park offsite)

⚠️ Important: If spectators are in the car, you should expect to be directed to drop-off only. Spectators will be required to park offsite. Plan accordingly to avoid delays.

  • Volunteers: Lot D (right after gated entry)
  • Coaches: Lot D (display hangtag)
  • Staff/LOC/Referees: Lot B (paved lot closest to the water)

🍔 FOOD

  • Athletes: snacks provided; pack extra if needed
  • Spectators: concession stand available
  • Bring cash (Wi-Fi is unreliable)

👉 Concession menu: https://www.vasra.org/regattas/concessions-menu

🎉SPECTATOR TIPS AND CHEERING

🪑 Sit together—look for Woodson gear. Bring chairs or blankets (concrete grandstands).

☀️ It will be a long, hot day. Bring sunscreen, hats, and plenty of water. Plan for extended time in direct sun.

📣 When a Woodson boat heads to the start, we cheer: “HEY, WOODSON!”

🛜 Wi-Fi is unreliable—plan accordingly.

👕 SPIRIT WEAR!

Show your support and benefit the team: Woodson Rowing Spirit Wear

🌊 STAY INVOLVED

Recruitment • Sponsors • Spirit Wear • Photos

Follow Us:
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🕊️ About the Regatta Name

The Ryz Obuchowicz Regatta is named in honor of Ryszard “Ryz” Obuchowicz, a longtime supporter of scholastic rowing in our region.

Ryz began as a parent volunteer and went on to become a highly respected referee, clinician, and leader within the rowing community. He played a key role in organizing and supporting regattas across the DC/Baltimore area and was deeply committed to growing the sport at the high school level.

He passed away in 2014, and this regatta honors the lasting impact he had on the rowing community.

💭 QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Continuous effort — not strength or intelligence — is the key to unlocking our potential.”

— Winston Churchill