Posted on by VP Communications

September 12, 2024 Newsletter

Green days have begun! Remember, to participate in Green Days, morning strength training, and winter conditioning (when it comes around), you MUST have a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept and have filled out the Woodson Athletics Registration. (You also need to have passed a swim test for Green Days). Don’t delay – the sooner you get this done the sooner you can do all the fun stuff!

If you know anyone else who might be interested in learning more about our team, feel free to forward them this newsletter, direct them to our interest form or have them send an email to Woodson Rowing Membership or Woodson Rowing Communications.

1. OPTIONAL MORNING STRENGTH TRAINING BEGINS NEXT WEEK

2. GREEN DAYS ARE ONGOING

3. RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER

4. NEW RECRUITS – SWIM TEST INFO

5. PARENT & ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSION, TUES 9/24, 7:30p

6. CARPOOLING WOES?

7. ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES!
A. VASRA VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, SATURDAYS IN SEPT
B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, FRI 10/18
C. RENTAL ERG RETURN & WORKDAY, SAT 10/19
D. TAG DAYS, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2. SIGN UP NOW.
E. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, SAT 11/9

8. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

1. OPTIONAL MORNING STRENGTH TRAINING BEGINS NEXT WEEK

Optional morning strength training will begin on Monday, September 16. Athletes interested in improving their strength by weight lifting can join optional workouts held in the weight room at Woodson Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:15-7:30 AM. Athletes MUST have a physical on file with the Woodson Athletic Dept and have filled out the Woodson Athletics Registration in order to participate.

2. GREEN DAYS ARE ONGOING

Follow our social media accounts to get some glimpses at what’s happening at Green Days. Visit our website for more information, to make sure you meet the requirements to join us, and to sign up: Green Days Info.

3. RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER

One of the “easy” ways Woodson Rowing raises money is through restaurant fundraisers. Participating makes it easy for you – since you don’t have to plan dinner – and you also help the team!

Our first fundraiser is next Thursday, September 19 from 4-8pm at Noodles & Company, 10296 Main Street. Valid for pickup, delivery and in-restaurant. Let’s make our first, of many, restaurant nights a successful one! Please mention you are supporting the fundraiser or use “GIVING25” in the Coupon Code line at online checkout or via the Noodles Rewards app.

4. NEW RECRUITS – SWIM TEST INFO

Let us know you’re coming by signing up here: Swim Test Sign Up.

Every new rower and coxswain is required to pass a swim test certified by a Woodson Rowing Coach prior to participating in green days and on-the-water practices. Passage of this test is required only once so if you have completed a swim test in prior seasons, you don’t need to do it again. Swim Tests are scheduled for September 21st and September 28 from 11a-12p at Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA.

5. PARENT & ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSION, TUES 9/24, 7:30p

On Tuesday you should have received an email with a link to the proposed by-laws for our organization. Please feel free to review prior to the meeting on 9/24 since one of our orders of business will be to vote on the new by-laws!

Make sure to mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 24 in Woodson Cafe A, starting at 7:30p. The meeting is for families (new and returning) to learn about the upcoming season, go over dues, transportation, winter conditioning, uniforms and preview what happens on the water in the spring. Coaches and board members will be in attendance to answer any questions you might have. Bring anyone who is interested in learning more about our sport.

6. CARPOOLING WOES?

One of the biggest challenges with rowing in this area is getting the athletes to and from the water safely! FCPS school buses are available for the team’s use (think transportation to practice every day in the spring), IF we are able to find an Activities Bus Driver. To be an FCPS approved Activities Bus Driver, you must pass the Fairfax County Bus Driver Training and then pick Woodson Rowing as your activity of choice. The driver would be paid by FCPS AND the team will offer additional compensation. If you’re already qualified or interested in becoming an Activity Bus Driver, please contact Woodson Rowing Activities.

7. ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES!

A. VASRA WORKDAYS
VASRA needs our help! Get some volunteering in early and help prep the race course and surroundings for the upcoming season. No experience necessary. Most of the activities are messy and dirty. Dress in your worst gardening gear, but make sure to have fully covered shoes, not flip flops. Each school is expected to send one volunteer for each clean up day; e.g. 4 or more Woodson volunteers total. Make sure you note your affiliation with Woodson when you sign up here: VASRA Work Days Sign Up

    B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, FRI 10/18
    Every team at Woodson is responsible for working the concession stand at a Woodson Football game. Woodson Rowing has been assigned to staff concessions for the homecoming football game on Fri., October 18. There are two shifts – 6:15-8:00 and 8:00-9:45 PM. We need 9 volunteers for each shift. This is a fun opportunity to get some volunteer credits early AND get to watch the game. Sign up here: Football Concessions Sign Up.

      C. RENTAL ERG RETURN & WORKDAY, SAT 10/19
      Athletes – keep on erg-ing!! Erg rental return will take place on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 10a-12p. Location will be the erg shed at the back of the school (near the senior parking lot). Stick around to help with the erg shed workday and get some volunteer credits started OR, if you’re new to the team this is a great opportunity to get familiar with one of the critical pieces of equipment used by rowing teams! Erg Shed Workday Sign Up

        D. TAG DAYS, SAT 10/26 and SAT 11/2
        Tag Days are the Woodson Rowing team’s most important fundraiser of the year. The dates for Tag Days are set in conjunction with all of the teams/clubs at Woodson. For this season, Woodson Rowing has been assigned Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 2 as our authorized Tag Days. Please sign up here – we need all hands on deck to make this event work!! Stay tuned for more information as the dates get closer, but if you have general questions please see our Tag Days webpage for information.

          E. 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW, SAT 11/9
          Our annual craft show is back! Mark your calendars now for Saturday, November 9, 2024 from 10a-4p. Set up for the event will begin Friday, November 8 and we will need all hands on deck to make it a success! Planning has already begun and a signup genius for volunteers will come out soon. Helping out at set-up, the day of, and SHOPPING are all ways to help out this large fundraiser for our team.

            We are always looking for new and returning VENDORS for the Craft Show! Please contact any artisans/crafters/makers in your life and let them know you’d love to see their wares on site at Woodson. All Vendors can sign up here: 2024 Craft Show Vendor Registration.

            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.

            SEPTEMBER:
            Mondays and Thursdays: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p
            Mondays and Wednesdays: optional strength training at Woodson, 6:15-7:30a

            • Sat, 9/14: VASRA work day
            • Thu, 9/19: Noodles & Co. fundraiser, 4-8p
            • Sat, 9/21: Swim test for new athletes, 11a-12p at Audrey Moore Rec
            • Sat, 9/21: VASRA work day
            • Tue, 9/24: Parent & athlete information meeting, 7:30p, Woodson Cafe A
            • Sat, 9/28: Swim test for new athletes, 11a-12p at Audrey Moore Rec
            • Sat, 9/28: VASRA work day

            OCTOBER:

            Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays: Green Days at Sandy Run, 4:45p

            NOVEMBER:

            DECEMBER:

            JANUARY 2025:

            FEBRUARY:

            MARCH:

            • Fri, 3/21: First team dinner, directly after practice, place TBD
            • Sat, 3/22: Polar Bear Regatta (Varsity Only), Sandy Run

            WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

            RECRUITMENT:

            Direct interested athletes and their parents to our interest form or have them send an email to our membership team at: [email protected].

            STAY UP TO DATE: Join the newsletter by sending an email to [email protected] or view the newsletter archives on our website.

            INTERESTED IN SPONSORING WOODSON ROWING?

            Visit our Sponsorship Page or contact Woodson Rowing Fundraising.

            Can’t sponsor but want to donate?Check out our Donors page for instructions and information on how your donations benefit our team!

            NEED SWAG?

            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!

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

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