The Washington-Lee Crew Boosters welcomes you to this year's crew season! Crew is a sport for everyone who wants to row. Crew is great fun, great exercise, and a source of lasting friendships for crew members. Crew parents get to share in the fun and are an essential part of a successful crew season.
Crew -- A proud tradition at Washington-Lee High School since 1949
Washington-Lee is one of the most successful and long-running crew programs in the country, rowing from the beginning out of the historic Potomac Boat Club in Georgetown. In 1949, the first year of existence under legendary Coach Charlie Butt, the Washington-Lee crew team won the two major rowing championships, the prestigious Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia and the Scholastic Nationals. In the 1950s and 1960s, Washington-Lee men's crew was one of the dominant programs in the country. They earned national headlines for winning the Royal Henley Regatta in England in 1964 (the first year American schools participated) and 1969 and competed there most recently in 1989. In addition, they were the National Champions 12 times between 1949 and 1987. In 1965, the greatest single day in the Washington-Lee rowing history occurred when the boys won every sweep race at the Stotesbury Regatta in Philadelphia. More recently, the lightweight men were undefeated in their 2004 season, taking the Stotesbury Cup from long-reigning champions St. Joseph's Prep. In 2005 the lightweight men were National Champions.
In 1975, Washington-Lee's proud crew tradition was expanded when Coach Tom Chisnell established the first women's crew. The women's team has gained strength and depth over the years. From 1984 through 1986, their lightweight eight was nearly unbeatable and won consecutive National Championships. In 1987, the junior eight took second place at Stotesbury and won the National Championship. In 2000, the girls’ midweight eight won third place in the Scholastic Rowing Association Nationals.
Perhaps even more impressive, Washington-Lee has selflessly shared its rowing expertise with other Arlington and Washington area schools. Washington-Lee's assistance has been instrumental in helping Yorktown, Wakefield and many other area schools begin their rowing programs.
W-L Crew also has been fortunate enough to have crew alumni as coaches, including current head coaches Derek Parsons '87 and Paul Holland '97, former women's head coaches Tom Chisnell '69 and Sarah Harrick '95 , and current assistant coaches Jim Owen '62, Davis Colwell '88, Wilson DeSousa '96, Kathleen McNamee '97, and Melissa Saunders '01.
The Washington-Lee Crew Boosters, Inc.
The Washington-Lee Crew Boosters, Inc., is a §501(c)(3) charitable organization, incorporated in 1987, with the sole purpose of supporting the crew program at Washington-Lee High School. Its primary functions include fundraising and recruiting and coordinating parent volunteers for regattas and othe team events. All activities are undertaken by volunteer members -- parents or guardians of students who participate in the crew program. All crew parents automatically become members of the Crew Boosters.
Members of the W-L Crew Boosters Executive Committee, who must be parents or guardians of students participating on the crew team, are elected at the annual meeting in June and assume office then. They are responsible for conducting membership meetings of the Boosters, handling official correspondence, maintaining minutes and files of the organization, preparing an annual budget, coordinating fund raising activities, paying bills, maintaining financial records, recruiting volunteers, and working with the Activities Director, coaches, captains, and the Boosters to ensure a successful rowing season. The Executive Committee meets at least monthly year round.
Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend our monthly Booster meetings. Meetings are generally the second Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM at W-L. Check the www.w-lcrewbooster.org calendar for dates. Reminders go out on yahoo groups. You can hear what’s going on, learn how to get involved, and share your thoughts.
The W-L Crew Boosters occasionally publish the Rowing Reporter that is sent to alumni and to all crew parents by e-mail. The Rowing Reporter as well as the team web site (www.w-lcrew.org) and booster web site (www.w-lcrewboosters.org) provide information on fundraising, upcoming regattas, race results, parent events, and other valuable information for crew members and parents.
Washington-Lee High School and the Arlington County Schools support crew as a varsity sport. Coaches are vetted, hired by, and report to the W-L Activities Director. The County covers the cost of transportation to and from practice and regattas, equipment insurance, and coaches' stipends. Fund raising coordinated by the Boosters covers the purchase and maintenance of boats and other equipment, rowing association dues, student memberships at the Potomac Boat Club, regatta expenses, and coaches' training/education expenses.
New to Crew?
Many, if not most crew parents are new to the sport. As with any sport, there is a crew vocabulary that helps you understand "crew talk" being spoken by crew members ("I was keeping keel”) and the organization of races ("I will be racing in a “quad,” not a “four”). A glossary of terms is available. You’ll be talking the talk in no time!
Crew is a wonderful sport for parents as well as crew members. Crew parents get to share in the pride and sense of accomplishment achieved by the crew, creating memories that last a lifetime. Read the registration macket closely. They provide the most important information about your and your child’s participation in crew and the role you play.
Below are answers to some additional frequently asked questions. Of course, if you should have additional questions about how parents can be involved in and support crew, you may call or e-mail the Crew Boosters' officers listed in the registration materials or on the Boosters' web site.cket. Your children need you to assist with Crew Boosters so their high school rowing experiences will be successful.
How long is crew season?
The crew season begins during the last week in February and runs through the last weekend in May for many of the rowers. Regattas generally begin the last weekend in March. At the end of May, two invitational regattas are held: the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia and the Scholastic Rowing Championship, called the “Nationals,” which is held at a different location each year. Some, but not necessarily all, rowers will participate in these two regattas. See the registration materials or www.w-lcrewboosters.org for this year’s schedule. Practice runs 6 days a week, Monday through Saturday. Saturday practices are generally held in the morning and last around 2 hours.
Is there crew practice during spring vacation?
Yes. Crew practice continues every day during Spring vacation. Spring break practices are critical to the success of the team. The coaches feel that each day of spring break training is equal to 2 days of regular practice time during the year. There is no bus transportation for practices during spring break. Car pools with older crew members and parents should be arranged as needed.
Is there crew practice in the off-season?
Some years, in the fall, there is a "learn-to-row" program for new rowers. However, no one is required to participate in this program. Many rowers take advantage of summer rowing programs offered at the Potomac Boat Club and Thompson's Boat Center. Coaches provide information about these programs to rowers later in the Spring. All returning rowers are also encouraged to participate in an optional winter conditioning program at school.
How is transportation handled to and from daily practice?
Beginning in February and continuing until the end of our season in May (Memorial Day Weekend), Arlington County has arranged to have one yellow school bus and one Metro city bus available in front of W-L at 3:10 to transport students to the Potomac Boat Club (PBC) in Georgetown. If a student misses that bus, there will be another city bus at the corner of Quincy St. and Washington Blvd. at 3:29. These buses are available for W-L and HB Woodlawn students. Transportation is not available for 8th graders, they are encouraged to get to W-L and take the buses with teammates. Two Arlington county school buses will be at PBC to bring students back to W-L. The school buses will arrive to W-L around 6:15 PM. Practice includes both land training (running, stair climbing, strength exercises, and ergometers -- rowing machines) and rowing on the water.
What if a student is interested in rowing but may have difficulty paying dues?
See the registration materials for details on dues and fundraising obligations. If you are unable to pay all or part of the dues, please talk to the Booster president. Every child interested in rowing will have a place on the W-L crew team. However, we need to know the dues' status of everyone to manage our finances. The fundraising obligation takes time and effort, so all students are expected to meet their fundraising obligation.
Where are the Regattas?
Most regattas and srimmages are on the Potomac at Georgetown or on the Occoquan River in southern Fairfax County. In some years W-L competes in regattas on the Anacostia River and at St. Andrews School in Middletown, Delaware. Some members of the crew will travel to Philadelphia for the Stotesbury Regatta and to various locations for the Scholastic Nationals.
Parental support is essential to the continued success of a crew program at W-L.
Fall and Winter
There are many jobs for which we are always looking for parents. For most, no special skill is needed. A volunteer interest questionnaire will be given to you so you can indicate areas of work in which you might be able to lend a hand. We need committee and fundraising project chairs, liaison to the official regatta organizations, coordinators newsletter writers and editors, and more. Throughout the year, all parents are encouraged to assist in our fundraisers, especially the holiday poinsettia sale which begins in November and the mulch sale which begins in February, with delivery to homes in March.
Spring
First of all, you can support the crew program with your presence at regattas. Come cheer for the W-L team. It really means a lot to the rowers to know they have strong support for their efforts. But beyond spirit lifting, parents are needed as regatta volunteers and dock sitters. Crew parents are expected to do at least two dock sitting sessions during the season and work at a minimum of one regatta. Without parent volunteers there would be no regattas. We need you!
Dock Sitting
Volunteer parents are needed at the Boat House (no operational duties are involved) from 3:45-6:00 p.m. each day of practice when students are present. An adult's presence on the dock is necessary in case of any emergencies, since the coaches may be on the water with rowers. The job begins with the docksitter driving to W-L at the end of the school day to pick up backpacks from rowers who are running from school to the boathouse. The docksitter then drives to the boathouse and the rowers retrieve their backpacks upon arrival. Dock sitting is a wonderful opportunity to see how practice is run, how the rowers handle their responsibilities for rigging and handling the shells, and generally how rowers train for this sport. It is rare opportunity for parental involvement in a high school sport practice and one worth taking. You can volunteer for one day or as many days as you like. Call the dock sitting coordinator. When you are a dock sitter, bring quarters, something to drink, binoculars, a cellular phone if you have one, and a lawn chair if you don't like to sit on a hard bench. Dress for the weather that day. Remember it is always a few degrees cooler on the water.
It has been a tradition of W-L Crew to provide lunch for all our hungry rowers, their friends and family at all home regattas (in Georgetown at Potomac Boat Club). The Boosters provide hamburgers, hot dogs, buns, paper products, and drinks. Rowers and their families bring side dishes and/or desserts to share. Emails will go out to notify who should bring a side dish or a dessert. Dishes should be in disposable pans or well marked with owner’s name. If not notified, send or bring something to share anyway!
Regattas at Occoquan generally mean the rowers hang out in their yellow school buses or at a nearby tent erected by the Boosters. Although hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, are sold at a concession stand, rowers bring food to share on the bus. Bagels, oranges, grapes, crackers, energy bars, energy drinks, nuts, water. Many times items will be assigned. Please ask your rower what he/she should provide. Please be sure that your rower has a supply of water, especially in the warmer weather.
Parties before regattas are addressed here. Food for away regattas such as Stotesbury and Nationals will be provided by the Boosters with additional side dishes provided by parents. The Boosters always can use a helping hand. Ask how you can help.
W-L is expected to provide 5-7 volunteers for regattas on the Potomac and 8-10 volunteers for regattas on the Occoquan. If we do not fill these positions we must pay a fine. Most jobs require approximately 3 hours. Therefore, we require every crew parent to volunteer for at least one regatta job. Again, most jobs require no special skill or training. Only a few jobs require some instruction, such as a launch boat driver. Most jobs can be explained in a couple of minutes. When you sign up for a job, you will get a copy of the jobs description, date, and time. Contact the regatta volunteer coordinator, for information.
Any words of advice for someone volunteering at a regatta for the first time?
Sure. Feel free to ask questions. There is always someone who can tell you more about the job. Also, dress for the weather. The weather on the water is always a little more extreme and you may be there for a few hours. If you are in a boat, you may get wet, also the sun reflects off the water and you can really get a bad sunburn--bring hat, dark glasses, and sun protection. Be flexible. You may be needed at another position. Have fun!
Dues - For returning rowers:
$400 for all rowers in 2009, with a $25 discount for dues received by January 17. We encourage payment in the fall if you know your child is going to row. This helps with our cash flow. Dues must be paid by February 21th 2008. Your child will not be allowed on the water until dues are paid unless special arrangements have been made with the President or the Treasurer.
Fundraising - Each returning rower has an additional yearly fundraising obligation of $400. Novice rowers have a fundraising obligation of $100. Rowers must strive to meet their dues and fundraising commitments. Dues waivers or scholarships can be granted for financial need. We take a parent’s word if the need is communicated personally to the Booster President. Fundraising requires only time and effort by students and is only waivable in special circumstances.
Checks are made payable to W-L Crew Boosters, Inc. and can be mailed to Treasurer, Ann Tutundjian (703-841-4992) 5303 N. 10th Street, Arlington VA 22205. Full payment of dues is a critical component of our obligation to the crew program.
More About Fundraising - Crew is an expensive sport! All rowers are required to participate in our two largest fundraisers. They are a poinsettia/holiday greens sale in the fall and a mulch sale in the spring. Other activities this year have included a friend and family appeal, an alumni appeal, and summer car washes. The Evening on the Potomac event some years have hosted a silent auction fund raiser. Most of the fundraisers are organized by the parents.
Spring Break - Crew practices daily during spring break!
Swim Tests - The test consists of 3 laps of the W-L pool using any stroke with no time limit but the swim must be completed without stopping, and a 1 minute treading water. The swim test is done in full sweats. Rowers must pass a swim test in order to participate in the program. Rowers are required to pass the test only as novices.
Travel - Most years some members of W-L Crew travel to Philadelphia for the Stotesbury Cup regatta and stay two nights. Some years members also compete in the Scholastic "Nationals" regatta at a location in the Eastern half of the country. Out-of-town regattas require additional expenses for each rower’s travel.
Uniforms - Rowers purchase their uniforms, or “unisuit.” (the only required clothing purchase). Sweats, jackets, shirts and other W-L Crew gear is also available.
Volunteering - Parents/guardians are required to volunteer to help out at a local regatta. Volunteer sign-up sheets will be set out at the Feb. Pot Luck Dinner. Advanced training will be provided for some regatta volunteer positions. Most volunteer positions do not require special training, are fun, and help you to learn more about rowing.
If you should have questions about how parents/guardians can be involved in and support crew, contact any of the Crew Booster Executive Board members at any time. Names and contact information are in this handbook and also on our web site.
Liaison Positions
Away Regatta Positions (Stotesbury and Nationals)
Booster Coordinator Positions
Fundraising Positions
Schedules strategy meetings for planning and helps establish a timeline for critical tasks; prepares a brief report on the event when it is over including contact information, general guidance and lessons learned.
Prior to First Practice on the Water, the following must be completed:
1. Dues paid - Registration Form
2. Physical form on file with Athletic Trainer at W-L and “switched to crew”.
3. Swim test passed (only need be taken as novice).
4. USRowing liability waiver signed by parent of rower. (Rowers age 18+ sign for themselves.
5. Emergency contact form completed and given to the head coach.
Pasta Parties or Boat Dinners, while a team related activity, not an official event, have been a long standing tradition of W-L Crew. Their goal is to promote team spirit. On the evening of a regatta (or on the evening of travel to the regatta), members of one or several boats get together for a dinner. The host parent provides sauce, pasta, plates, cups, and utensils. The rowers bring all side dishes, bread, juice, and desserts. These evenings should not go late into the evening as a big day is ahead of each rower.
Each parent host will cook the pasta and sauce, but more importantly make sure that host home rules are not abused or the party does not get “out of hand.” Each parent host and rower is encouraged to read the section of “General Guidance on Behavior of Rowers” in this handbook.
The rowers organize the boat dinners. Hint: Girls have done a better job of this in the past. Here are some suggested guidelines:
Captains and coxswains should start the organization process.
While transportation is provided for regular practice, there are some situations in which transportation is not provided (spring break, off-season practice, fall crew with other programs, etc.). In these situations it is important for parents to know that their child may ask another student for a ride.
Parents of the potential passenger(s) and the parents of the driver(s) should be aware of and in compliance with the following guidelines:
Rowers are expected to conduct themselves maturely and demonstrate good behavior and good sportsmanship while participating in the W-L Crew program. The W-L Crew Boosters recognize that the crew team may engage in various activities “off the water” to boost team spirit. These activities, while not intended to be harmful to rowers, may have an adverse effect on the students involved, if as a result of peer pressure, the rowers do things that they would not otherwise do. Of particular concern is the potential for misuse of power or influence by upperclassmen over lower classmen, however subtle the influence. Such a dynamic can be considered hazing.
Hazing is defined as any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in Washington-Lee Crew. Virginia State law states that any student found guilty of hazing will be charged with a Class 1 felony. The Boosters understand the importance of building team spirit but do not endorse any activity that could be deemed hazing. Outside of coach-supervised practices and regattas, rowers are encouraged to participate in team-related activities but are not required to do so. Coaches, team captains, and parents will work together to inform rowers about appropriate activities, to help monitor these activities and to prevent any activity that might be considered hazing.
Approved 9/04
The safety of team members is of primary importance to all who are associated with the W-L High School Crew Program. It is important that all crew parents, team members, and the school administration understand the decision-making process involved in helping assure the safety of our team members.
Many factors are taken into consideration before making the decision to launch shells. These factors include the experience of the coaches and crew members, the height and speed of the river, wind speed and direction, amount of debris in the river, direction of tidal flow, the temperature of both air and water, and forecasted weather.
When small craft warnings (15-34 MPH winds) are posted for our area or river levels rise above normal stages, our coaches weigh carefully all the conditions listed above prior to deciding which shells to launch, if any.
A W-L Crew coach normally arrives at the boathouse prior to launch time to check weather and water conditions, and decides which shells will be launched. The coach listens to weather forecasts, talks with the other coaches. Based upon all of the information available, the W-L Crew coaches make their decision concerning practice that day based on their assessment of the above conditions. All of our coaches are aware of the unpredictability of the weather and realize that weather conditions and the river must be respected.
In addition to the decision-making process described, other precautions exist in the area of safety. All shells have positive buoyancy (water tight compartments at the bow and stern) and the oars can be used as flotation devices. All launches (motor boats) are equipped with life preservers for all rowers and a megaphone for use by the coach, “space blankets” to protect rowers from the cold should they get wet, and radios or cellular telephones to contact other coaches, the boathouse and the Harbor Police.
A parent volunteer Dock Sitter is available at most practices to help if any emergency arises. Finally, all students who row crew pass a swimming test. Additional water safety training is offered at the beginning of each season. Each crew member is expected to comply with team rules and Potomac Boat Club rules to maintain safe and proper behavior at all times.
Should on-water assistance be required, the D.C. Marine Police have jurisdiction. Once they arrive, they have authority over coaches and rowers. If the Police deem it necessary, some, or all, of the rowers involved in an emergency situation could be sent to a hospital for a check-up. At this point, our coaches have no say in the police decision process.
The Crew Boosters and school administration have confidence in the abilities and the wisdom of our coaches.
Washington-Lee Crew and the Boosters welcome contributions that will help us to purchase new boats. Equipment is by far the largest expense category of the team. Without outside contributions, it would be very difficult for W-L Crew to buy new boats.
As a gesture of appreciation for large contributions intended for boat purchases, W-L Crew and the Boosters will consider donors’ preferences for names to be given to the new boats. Most appropriate are names of individuals or groups strongly identified with W-L Crew or Washington-Lee High School. Examples include past W-L Crew coaches and former athletes, W-L High School teachers and administrators, former W-L Crew parents, and other supporters of W-L Crew. Group names are also appropriate, such as “Class of 1959” or “Henley 1969”. Names of companies and other organizations not directly related to W-L Crew or High School will also be considered, upon request of the donors. A boat will retain its name for as long as it is part of the W-L Crew inventory.
In general, boat naming rights will require a donation to the W-L Crew Boosters of at least two-thirds of the cost of the boat to be named. Final decisions on boat naming will be made by the W-L Crew Boosters Executive Board, in consultation with the coaches and donors.
- adopted by the Washington-Lee Crew Boosters Board of Directors, 28 August 2008
If a rower and/or his parent have a concern or complaint with any of the coaching staff, he or she is encouraged to discuss the concern directly with the coach. If the concern is not resolved with the coach, the parent is advised to take the issue to the next higher level of authority until the issue is satisfactorily resolved by all involved. The order of authority for the W-L crew program is as follows: Head Coach, Activities Director, School Principal, the County Education Department and then, the School Board. Any member of the coaching staff with a concern should follow the same procedure. The Crew Boosters have no formal role in personnel matters, but on occasion the Crew Boosters, through their President or other Board members, may be able to help resolve issues that arise among the team, coaches, and parents, so that issues do not escalate to the level of the Activities Director or higher.