Cooper River
Pennsauken, NJ
May 24-25, 2024
Congratulations to the boats who will be participating in the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA®) 2024 Scholastic Championship Regatta (aka “Nationals”). The primary function of the SRAA® is to run the Scholastic Championship Regatta each May, determining the North American Rowing Champions. High school athletics does not allow sporting events to be held which decide national champions. This regatta, nevertheless, is informally recognized by the rowing community as a national championship.
WHO IS ATTENDING?
All race entries, to include alternate rowers/coxswains are made at the discretion of the Woodson Rowing Head Coach. Crews must have qualified at a qualifying championship regatta to be invited to participate.
CONGRATULATIONS TO the W1V, W2V and MFr8+ on qualifying to attend this prestigious event! Four alternates will also be traveling with the team.
2024 TIMELINE AND CRITICAL DATES
Sunday, May 19: Deadline to reserve a hotel room at the reduced group rate.
BOOK YOUR ROOM USING THIS LINK.
Space is limited, so don’t delay. There is no guarantee that rooms will be available after the block fills up.
Wednesday, May 22: Registration deadline.
REGISTER YOUR ATHLETE HERE: 2024 SRAA NATIONALS ATHLETE REGISTRATION
Wednesday, May 22: Luggage/Meds Check-in @ Woodson. 7-8PM. Enter through Door 3. the Luggage Check-In Form and the Student Medication Form (if it applies) must be submitted on May 22th, at the Luggage Check-In, EVEN IF you submitted those forms to attend Stotesbury. We cannot accept these in advance as they must be matched with the luggage/medicine.
Thursday, May 23: Students to the bus at Woodson Door 3 after their first class; Bus leaves promptly upon their arrival. Will travel directly to the regatta site to unload boats and practice. Dinner for athletes will be provided by the team at the hotel (included in your fees).
Friday, May 24
TBD – Heats
Saturday, May 25
TBD – Semi-finals / Finals
Make sure you are on the #2024-nationals Channel on Slack to stay abreast of return timing.
REQUIRED FEES
The additional fee for athletes to attend the 2024 SRAA Nationals is $525 per athlete. This cost is a direct pass-thru of the costs for travel, food, and lodging for the athlete. If this presents a financial burden, the team may be able to offer assistance. Please reach out to Bill Westman, Board President, with questions re: financial assistance.
REGISTER YOUR ATHLETE HERE:
2024 SRAA NATIONALS ATHLETE REGISTRATION
Note: FCPS will not be responsible for reimbursements of money lost, submitted in advance, for trips canceled due to safety/public health concerns. In the unlikely event that the trip is canceled The Woodson Crew Boosters would evaluate what, if any, refunds could be issued, based on non-refundable monies paid for hotels, bussing, registrations and food.
LODGING INFORMATION
Reservations for athletes and coaches will be made by the team. You do NOT need to book a room for your athlete.
Our team reservations will be for 2 nights:
Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24.
Check-out is Saturday morning, May 25.
TEAM HOTEL INFORMATION:
SpringHill Suites by Marriott Philadelphia Airport/Ridley Park
201 Industrial Hwy, Ridley Park, PA 19078
(610) 915-6600.
Please use the following address in GPS and Internet mapping systems:
598 West Sellers Avenue, Ridley Park PA 19078.
PARENT HOTEL INFORMATION:
We have secured a block of rooms for spectators at a group rate at the team hotel. Remember that spectators are responsible for their own transportation and lodging, so you may feel free to book where it is most convenient.
BOOK YOUR ROOM USING THIS LINK.
Space is limited, so don’t delay. There is no guarantee that rooms will be available after the block fills up.
TRANSPORTATION
In the past, each family was responsible for their own and their athlete’s transportation to and from this event. With the small number of boats that qualified in the past, it was not cost effective to book mass transportation for those attending SRAA Nationals. With 3 boats and alternates attending this year, it was mutually agreed that a bus for the athletes is worth the expense. There are a limited number of additional seats for chaperones and coaches. If you would like to ride the bus to and from Camden, NJ, please contact Bill Westman to see if there is space available.
VOLUNTEERING
As is always the case, there will be need for volunteers to help chaperone the boats, plan meals for the athletes at the regatta sites and coordinate/plan/chaperone evening meals for the athletes. If you are attending the regatta, we need all hands on deck! Sign up here: Woodson Rowing Volunteer Needs!
In addition, the regatta itself is always looking for volunteers. If you’d like to volunteer on site, you can check out the SRAA Volunteer Needs
CLASSWORK
Student-athletes are students first. No form is required for your teacher’s approval of the travel. However, students are encouraged to let their teachers know about their classroom absences due to this trip. Students must discuss make-up dates with their teachers prior to the team leaving.
You do not need to notify the Attendance office of your athlete’s absence. The Boosters will provide a list of Rowers and Coxswains who require early dismissal and and will miss school due to attendance at this regatta.
LUGGAGE CHECK-IN
Luggage search and check-in will be held at Woodson from 7-8p on Wednesday, May 22. All bags except carry-ons must be turned in at this time; this baggage will be inaccessible during bus travel. All bags will be searched, taped/sealed and checked-in.
Please complete the FCPS Luggage Check-in Form. There are two options on the form, please select and complete one. In the first option, students must present their own bags for a search, which is supervised by the coaching staff or a crew boosters representative. In the second option, the parent presents the bag, along with the completed form indicating that the parent performed the search. 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 16.
TRANSPORT OF MEDICATIONS
If your athletes will be traveling with any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, please provide a hard copy of the Medication Form to the Jenn Ros, Membership Chair at the luggage check-in on May 15.
Below are some notes re: medications:
- Epinephrine will not be stocked on these trips. Please plan to have your athlete carry their own epinephrine, inhalers, and other necessary medications.
- Inhalers: Please ensure your student has their inhaler and enough to last the entire trip.
- Prescription Medications: Please annotate it on the form and have your athlete bring in the original container with the needed amount for trip.
- Over the Counter Medications: Please keep in the original containers. However, please do not send FULL NEW bottles of medication. Please only send a sufficient, reasonable amount of medication for the 3 day event.
The medication form is a crew team form, and not required by FCPS. Please 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 crew member’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.
Students will receive their checked medications as they board the bus the following day. Students will be responsible for taking their own medication according to the dosage indicated while on the trip. Teammates will not be allowed to share any drugs, whether prescription or over-the counter.
PACKING
Ideally athletes will pack one piece of “checked” luggage and have one carry-on. Please pack light. Less is more. See the lists below for recommended items to be packed.
Prohibited Items include drugs of any kind, including prescription drugs and “over the counter” (unless they are submitted through the separate medication check), weapons of any kind, vaping devices, any other items listed in the FCPS SR&R, and R Rated movies.
Please do not pack or bring valuables of any kind.
CARRY ON:
– Clothing to practice in upon Thursday’s arrival should be word OR packing into a small carry-on. Athletes will NOT have access to their checked luggage until they arrive at and are checked in to the hotel on Thursday evening.
– Sack Lunch, Snack and beverages for the bus Thursday afternoon. The bus will not stop for meals. Dinner will be served at the hotel.
– Water bottle
– NO VALUABLES
CHECKED LUGGAGE:
– REQUIRED: Uni-suit and Tech shirt, ideally marked with your athlete’s name.
– BE PREPARED FOR CHANGING WEATHER CONDITIONS: Bring a small towel, rain gear, extra shoes; and warm clothing for cold weather; layered clothing, sunscreen, and a hat for hot weather. Remember: LAYERS, layers.
– PJs/casual clothes for hanging out at the hotel and your comfort while not racing.
– Rain Gear!! It is going to rain! (assume it will rain)
– NO VALUABLES
– Please put the student’s last name on the luggage.
INCIDENTAL ATHLETE EXPENSES
Most athletes bring spending money for treats and rowing souvenirs. They may want at least $50 to allow for t-shirts and other items. Most vendors take electronic payment, so generally cash is not required.
Telephone calls – Crew members will not be allowed to place long distance calls from the hotel room.
Shopping – There will be a large number of vendors at the regatta site selling rowing apparel, photos of the participant’s races (very cool!), books, jewelry and all sorts of other crew-related merchandise.
Misc – Athletes often want to buy extra food; not because they need it, but because they want it (and because they can)!
RACING RELATED INFORMATION
Venue: Cooper River Park, Pennsauken, NJ
7050 N Park Dr, Pennsauken Township, NJ 08109
Practice: Practice is from 12-6pm Thursday, staffed by staff/volunteers.
Racing Schedule: Not yet posted
Race Website: If you like to do your own research, this is a good place to start – SRAA.net.
Q&A
Other questions? Ask them in Slack and the answers may be posted here for posterity.
Q: Are pets welcome at the regatta site?
A: Yes. While this event is not nearly as large as the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, please keep in mind that there will be hundreds of people in attendance. So, please consider if your furry friend can handle that much love from so many people.
Q: What is traffic and parking like on the Cooper River?
A: When the girl’s freshman team attended in 2022, there was a pretty big parking lot right near the parent viewing area that didn’t fill up and didn’t cost to park. The main road by the river was not shut down, but it did get very busy with traffic.