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.