Posted on by VP Communications

Welcome back! August 23, 2024

HERE WE GO, EVERYONE!!

We hope you had a wonderful summer and are having a good first week back at school. While rowing is a spring sport, things are already moving at full speed behind the scenes to bring new and returning athletes together and to grow our team.

If you know someone who might be interested in learning more about our team, feel free to forward them this newsletter, or have them shoot an email to [email protected] to be put on the newsletter distribution list. And don’t forget: you can always find the newsletter archives on our website.

1. SPREAD THE WORD

2. SPORTS PHYSICALS AND WOODSON ATHLETICS REGISTRATION

3. ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSIONS

4. GREEN DAYS BEGIN 9/9

5. RESTAURANT NIGHT, THU., 9/19 NOODLES & CO., 4-8p

6. RENTAL ERG RETURN SAT, OCT 19

7. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR TAG DAYS!

8. PLEASE RECRUIT FOR THE 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW

9. EARLY SEASON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKS
A. VASRA CLEAN-UP DAYS
B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS

10. SWIM TEST (FOR NEW RECRUITS ONLY)

11. PARENT & ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSION TBD

12. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

13. STAY IN-THE-KNOW

ACTION ITEMS

  1. Returning Athletes: Plan to attend the session on Wed, Aug 28 at 3:00p in Coach Tylander’s room, B109.
  2. Prospective Athletes: Mark your calendars for an information session on Wed, Sep 4 at 3:00p in Coach Tylander’s room, B109
  3. Recruit vendors for our 31st annual craft show!
  4. Start marking your own calendar using the at-a-glance below.

1. SPREAD THE WORD

Recruitment should be at the top of our minds and in full swing! Please share your enthusiasm for our team. Speak to other students and parents; encourage them to check us out. Direct interested athletes and their parents to our interest form or have them send an email to our membership team at: [email protected]. 


2. SPORTS PHYSICALS AND WOODSON ATHLETICS REGISTRATION

Remember that all athletes will need a sports physical turned into the Woodson front office before the season begins. Also the Woodson Athletics registration needs to be completed for all athletes. Don’t delay with these critical pieces of information. Take care of it now!


3. ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSIONS

RETURNING ATHLETES: Meet with Coach Tylander after school (approx 3p) on Wednesday, August 28 in room B109. He’ll give you a brief rundown of what to expect for the season. See old friends and get ready for an exciting season ahead!

PROSPECTIVE AND RETURNING ATHLETES: Have a friend that is interested in learning more about rowing? Bring them to meet Coach Tylander, our Director of Rowing after school on Wednesday, September 4, Room B109. Coach Tylander will talk a little bit about the requirements for rowing, green days, and more!


4. GREEN DAYS BEGIN 9/9

Green Days are out of season opportunities for coaches to instruct their student athletes. Rowers and Coxswains are encouraged to attend as many Green Days as possible. For more information, visit our Green Days FAQ.

Green days begin September 9 and will take place after school, from 4:45p-6:45p, at Sandy Run Regional Park (10450 Van Thompson Road, Fairfax Station, VA). Participants are responsible for their own transportation, and carpooling is highly recommended. 

Green Days Tentative Schedule:
Sep 9 – Sep 26: Mondays and Thursdays

Sep 30 – Oct 29: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays

BEFORE participating, all athletes MUST (without exception) have:

First-time athletes (those who have NOT previously been on the water in a Woodson Rowing boat) should try, if possible, to register for their first day on the water on a MONDAYin order to receive a more thorough orientation. After your first day, you are welcome to come on any and all days that fit your schedule.


5. RESTAURANT NIGHT, THU., 9/19 NOODLES & CO., 4-8p

Feed friends and family all while benefiting the team on 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.


6. RENTAL ERG RETURN SAT, OCT 19

Athletes – keep on erg-ing!! Erg rental return will take place on Saturday, October 19, time TBD. Location will be the erg shed at the back of the school (near the senior parking lot). Stay tuned for more specific information, but meanwhile keep up the hard work!


7. MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR TAG DAYS!

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 mark your calendars as we need all hands on deck to make this even 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.


8. PLEASE RECRUIT FOR THE 31st ANNUAL CRAFT SHOW

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.

We also have a pressing need for 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.


9. EARLY SEASON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN THE WORKS

Part and parcel of being on Woodson Rowing means volunteering. Throughout the year/season there will be ample opportunities to get involved and to earn volunteer credits for your family, at a pace and time that is most convenient for you. Athletes that volunteer will, more often than not, be able to get service credits for any time they spend volunteering.

We are gearing up for the pre-season volunteer opportunities. There are not any sign up geniuses available yet – but we want to keep this info on your radar.

A. VASRA CLEAN-UP DAYS

    VASRA has scheduled the Fall clean up days for 4 Saturdays in September. Each school is expected to send one volunteer for each clean up day; e.g. 4 or more Woodson volunteers total. The current dates are: September 7, 14, 21, and 28. Stay tuned for more information and the ability to sign up.

    B. FOOTBALL CONCESSIONS

      Each season, Woodson Crew is responsible for working the concession stand at a Woodson Football game. Our date has not been confirmed yet, but will likely be in October. There will be two shifts to volunteer – 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. Stay tuned for a specific date and a sign up.


      10. SWIM TEST (FOR NEW RECRUITS ONLY)

      Every new rower and coxswain is required to pass a swim test certified by a Woodson Rowing Coach prior to participating in 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.

      The swim test consists of:

      1. 100 yard swim, any stroke or combination of strokes, in a swimsuit and;
      2. two minutes of treading water with clothes on to simulate a boat capsizing during cold water practice. Clothing should be a long-sleeved shirt and long pants (sweatpants or leggings of some kind).
      3. Putting on a personal flotation device (life vest) while in the water.

      Swim Tests are tentatively scheduled for late September and are usually held at Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA. Stay tuned for specific details.


      11. PARENT & ATHLETE INFORMATION SESSION TBD

      The Board will be holding an information session for returning and new parents and athletes in late September or early October. We’ll walk through the plan for the upcoming season, go over dues, transportation, winter conditioning, uniforms and preview what happens on the water in the spring. Bring anyone who is interested in learning more about our sport. 

      12. 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.

      AUGUST:

      • Wed, 8/28: RETURNING athlete information meeting, 3p, Room B109

      SEPTEMBER:

      • Wed, 9/4: NEW athlete information meeting, 3p, Room B109
      • Sat, 9/7: VASRA work day
      • Mon, 9/9: Green Days begin at Sandy Run, 4:45p
      • Sat, 9/14: VASRA work day
      • Thu, 9/19: Noodles & Co. restaurant fundraiser, 4-8p
      • Sat, 9/21: VASRA work day
      • Sat, 9/28: VASRA work day
      • Swim Test (New Rowers only), details TBD
      • Parent & athlete information meeting, 7:30p, date & location TBD

      OCTOBER:

      • Sat, 10/19: Return rented ergs, details TBD
      • Sat, 10/26: First Tag Day
      • Tue, 10/29: Final Green Day, 4:45p

      NOVEMBER:

      DECEMBER:

      JANUARY 2025:

      • Winter conditioning will continue.

      FEBRUARY:

      MARCH:

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