Attention Washington-Liberty, Wakefield, and Yorktown High School Athletes and Families!
The One Arlington Rowing (OAR) coaches and board have been busy planning for the fall 2026 crew season, and they are excited to provide families with the following program details and registration timeline.
FALL 2026 OAR PROGRAMS
Learn to Row (LTR) Novice:
This program is designed for new rowers interested in learning how to row. This program will teach the fundamentals of rowing, to include equipment care and maintenance, and culminate with a local regatta against other novice boats. (The local
regatta will be held after session #2 and there is no additional cost.)
- Location: Columbia Island Marina (CIM)
- Coaches: Kara McPhillips (W-L), Wilson DeSousa (W-L)
- Session Dates:
- Session 1: September 8 – October 2, 2026
- Session 2: October 5 – October 31, 2026
- Practice Schedule: Monday-Thursday – 4-6:30 pm
- Cost: $450 per session
Experienced Training Program:
This program is for rowers with at least one season of rowing experience. The purpose of this program is to provide experienced athletes a way to stay in touch with rowing and practice their skills. The training program athletes will not attend any regattas.
Training Program Option #1
- Location: Thompson Boat Center
- Coaches: Faby Velasquez (YT) / Ed Wong (YT)
- Program Dates: September 8, 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
- Practice Schedule: Mon / Wed / Fri 5-7 pm and Sat 9-11 am
- Cost: $800
Training Program Option #2
- Location: Anacostia Community Boathouse
- Coaches: Sarah Vest (Wakefield) / Chris Margopoulos (Wakefield) / Lexi Hegeman (Wakefield)
- Program Dates: September 8, 2026 – 31 Oct 2026
- Practice Schedule: Mon – Thurs 5:45 – 7:15 am
- Cost: $800
Experienced Competitive Program:
This program is for rowers with at least one season of rowing experience. The goal of the competitive program is to develop athletes into more efficient and effective racers. Practice time will be devoted to improving the skills of all rowers and coxswains, as individuals and as “boats.” Fall races are an opportunity to apply the skills from practice, make mistakes, learn lessons and, most importantly, have fun. This year we have shifted to all local races so that the logistics of racing do not detract from coaching all athletes in all practices. We will focus on the process (skill development) and enjoy the outcome (racing). OAR will not attend the Head of the Charles or Head of the Schuylkill this year.
- Location: Columbia Island Marina
- Coaches: Taylor Dough (WL) / Michael Zuppas (WL) / Deb Soderlund (WL) / Kara McPhillips (WL)
- Program Dates: September 8, 2026 – 2 Nov 2026
- Practice Schedule: Mon – Thurs 5:15 – 7:15 am
- Regatta Schedule:
- Head of the Potomac – Saturday, September 26
- Occoquan Challenge – Sunday, October 4
- Head of the Occoquan – Sunday, November 1
- Cost: $900
REGISTRATION TIMELINE:
Registration will be open for Wakefield, Washington-Liberty, and Yorktown families only from August 7 – August 21. We will cap each program so it is important to register early! If we do not hit our cap per program by August 17, we will open registration from August 17 to August 21 to other local schools.
Registration link coming soon!
Registration will close on August 21.
OAR BOARD UPDATE:
We are looking to fill several OAR board members for the 2026-2027 year.
Current 2026-2027 OAR Board Members:
Wakefield
- Jennifer Weber (Treasurer) – continuing in role for 2026-2027
- Michael Kim – continuing in role for 2026-2027
- Dana Cook
Washington-Liberty
- Carrie Cooper (President) – continuing in role for 2026- 2027
- Vacant
- Vacant
Yorktown
- Josh Rushman (At Large Board Member) – joining board
- Brian Harris (At Large Board Member) – continuing in role for 2026-2027
- Vacant
Upon filling the vacancies, we need to determine which OAR board member will take on the Vice President OAR Board Officer position and the Secretary OAR Board Officer position. Please message president@onearlingtonrowing.org if you are interested in helping!
OAR Mission Statement: OAR trains and develops Arlington youth as rowers and coxswains for the purpose of supporting the county’s scholastic rowing programs. OAR accomplishes this through teamwork, personal integrity, and intentional inclusion, in an environment that is safe, challenging, and rewarding. Our goal is for all OAR athletes to feel valued, regardless of background, experience, and performance.