General Crew Club Questions

 

 

Q. What is the McLean Crew Club?

A. The McLean Crew Club is a Virginia High School Athletic League (VHSL) sponsored interscholastic club. Club sports in Fairfax County do not receive financial aid from the school or the county. The club promotes, supports, and operates the rowing program at McLean High School. Established in 1996, McLean Crew is a growing program that annually involves about 80 student athletes and is recognized for its top-quality coaching staff, its dedicated athletes, and its success in local, regional, and national competitions. McLean Crew athletes also are outstanding students who are strongly committed to academics; the discipline and time-management skills needed to become an outstanding athlete often translate into excellence in schoolwork.

 

Q. What's rowing all about?

A. Rowing is an exciting, competitive sport involving skill, teamwork, strength, and endurance. The men’s and women’s teams are organized by skill and, in some cases, weight. Crews are identified by the number of rowers in a shell or boat, typically eights or fours, with an on-board captain known as the coxswain. They generally race against each other on measured 1,500-meter courses. To learn more about rowing, go to www.usrowing.org.

 

Q. Can I letter in crew?

A. Yes. McLean High School does recognize the program with varsity status and thus provides Varsity Letters to qualifying crew members. Varsity Letters are awarded at the Spring sports awards ceremony to rowers and coxswains who:

•  Participate successfully in a Championship Event at the State Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association Championships, and
• Consistently participate in mandatory and non-mandatory activities such as de-rigging for a regatta, re-rigging and racking boats after a regatta, work sessions with the coaches at the boathouse, etc.

 

Q. Do I have to be a good athlete to do crew?

A. If you are willing to work hard and are able to pass a basic swim test, you can become a rower. Crew demands endurance, strength, discipline, skill, and teamwork. All students can develop endurance and strength through regular training. Coaches, team captains, and other experienced team members teach discipline, skills, and teamwork. The crew program provides opportunities for students with a wide range of athletic abilities.

 

Q. I’ve never rowed before. Can I still do crew?

A. Yes. Most students who join the team have no previous rowing experience.

 

Q. Are there any height or weight requirements for rowers and coxswains?

A. Not really. Although rowers in some boats (classed as lightweights) must be within a weight limit (typically 130 pounds for women and 150 pounds for men), there are no upper or lower weight limits for rowers in most boats. Although height can be an advantage for rowers, strength and endurance are more important. Coxswains are usually small and light. The best coxswains are smart, light, verbal, confident, and have some rowing experience.

 

Q. Do I have to try out for the team? What is required to be a member?

A. No, there are no tryouts. McLean Crew accepts all interested and motivated students. No previous rowing or athletic experience is required. All new students, however, must do the following:

•  Pass a swim test to demonstrate that they can swim 100 meters and tread water for five minutes, fully dressed. (Personal flotation devices are not worn in the shells, so all rowers and coxswains must be good swimmers.) The club will hold swim tests at several times/locations in the fall and winter.
•  Complete all required paperwork (visit our forms section on the website), including a VHSL Athletic Participation/Parent Consent/Physical Examination form (which must be signed by a physician and turned in to the McLean High School Activities office).
•  Maintain academic eligibility under VHSL rules.
• Pay required fees.
• Attend practices regularly.
•  Participate in mandatory club fundraising activities.

 

Q. How much does it cost to participate?

A. For the 2008/2009 season, annual dues will range from $825 to $1425 per student, depending on the family's level of participation in fundraising and other volunteer activities. Dues may be paid in 3 installments, which will be due on September 23, January 6, and March 3.

 

Q. Wow, that’s a lot! Why does it cost so much?

A. Most of the expense of crew is attributable to equipment, maintenance costs, and coaches’ salaries. An eight-person shell (boat) costs between $20,000 and $30,000. Oars cost more than $250 each, ergs more than $700, cox boxes (the voice amplification system used by coxswains) more than $500. Launches and outboard motors also are expensive. All of this equipment must be purchased, maintained and, ultimately, replaced. The club also must pay fees for boat storage, insurance, and administrative expenses. Rowers’ fees cover approximately half of the club’s total costs; rowers and their parents must raise the other half through a series of fundraising events. Remember, the club receives no financial support from McLean High School, its booster club, or the county.

 

Q. Are there any other required/optional expenses?

A. Yes. Each rower must purchase a uniform (a one-piece, sleeveless unitard and long-sleeved shirt), which costs approximately $100. Optional team apparel (sweats, shirts, hats, visors, jackets, etc.) also can be ordered at an additional cost. Club members are encouraged to travel to the Stotesbury Regatta in May whether they are competing or not at a cost of approximately $300. Rowers traveling to additional out-of-town regattas will pay an additional fee to cover food, lodging, and event registration expenses.

 

Q. Must parents do anything other than pay the bills?

A. Yes. Every family must contribute to the effort by participating in fundraising activities and volunteering at at least one regatta each spring. Help also is needed to maintain equipment, transport students to and from practices and regattas, and support the club in a multitude of ways. In order to more fairly spread the volunteering and fundraising burden among club members and their families, the club instituted a points  system that allows families to lower their dues by doing volunteer work.

 

Q. What is the schedule for crew? When does the season start?

A. Crew is a three-season sport at McLean. During the fall season (September/October), freshmen and other novice rowers learn to row by practicing on the water three weekday afternoons and on Saturday mornings, while their varsity teammates can learn to scull and begin training and conditioning by working out on ergometers (rowing machines) and weight training. The winter season begins in November. It enables rowers to intensify their training and conditioning, and to compete both regionally and nationally on ergometers. The spring competitive season, or Regatta Season, runs from late February/early March through mid-June. During this season, the club competes on Saturdays in seven or eight local and regional regattas on the Potomac, Anacostia, and Occoquan rivers, as well as in one or more out-of-town competitions. Spring on-the-water practices typically are held four or five days a week, after school. Varsity boats also have occasional early morning, before-school practices.

 

Q. Does this mean I can’t participate in any other sport at McLean High School?

A. No. Many rowers participate in other sports including field hockey, basketball, football, and swimming and diving during the fall and winter seasons. Rowers who plan to participate in another winter sport should discuss this with their crew coaches to arrange for a modified training/conditioning program that does not conflict with the other sport. You cannot, however, participate in another spring sport.

 

Q. Where does the team practice?

A. During the spring and fall seasons, McLean Crew rows on the Potomac River out of Thompson Boat Center (TBC) in Georgetown. (For directions to TBC, visit the directions section of our website.) Land training and conditioning sessions are held throughout the school year at the club’s rowing center (located in former mobile classrooms next to the baseball field) at McLean High School.

 

Q. How are crews (or "boats") selected?

A. All boat selection decisions are made by the coaches. They consider many factors when making these decisions, including attitude, attendance, and consistency; racing performance and past experience; and ergometer scores. Boat assignments may change during the regatta season.

 

Q. What about safety?

A. Although crew is a water sport with some inherent dangers, safety is the club’s top priority. First and foremost, we emphasize boat safety and the proper use of all equipment. Our coaches are trained for any emergency situation. Boats are supervised by coaches in motor launches at all times. Although rowers and coxswains do not wear personal flotation devices, coaches and anyone riding with them in the launches are required to do so, and to carry enough PFDs in the launch for the rowers they are supervising. A Safety Committee will convene this fall to reassess club policies and practices, to continue to ensure the safety of all club members.

 

Q. Sounds good! How do I sign up?

A. Parents of interested students should attend the monthly membership meeting for parents which are held the first Tuesday of each month at.7:30 PM in the cafeteria.  Students can participate in other sports during the fall and winter and still participate in the spring crew season, so don’t hesitate in inquire if your student expresses an interest.  Likewise, they can participate in the Fall and Winter training even if they are not able to participate in the Spring rowing.

 

Q. I still have a few questions who can answer them?

A. Please contact the Vice President of Administration with your questions (VPAdmin@mcleancrew.org)

 

Parent Spring Season Questions

 

Q. What exactly is the practice/training schedule?

A. Spring on-the-water practices will take place five days a week after school and (before regatta season begins) on Saturdays; varsity boats also may have occasional early-morning (before-school) practices. The schedule varies by boat; your son/daughter typically will be practicing either from 3 to 4:30 pm or from 4:30 to 6 pm four days a week. Any changes in training/practice schedules will be announced.

 

Q. How will my son/daughter get to the boathouse for weekday practices?

A. The club hires a bus to take all rowers to TBC (and return them to MHS) after school five days a week during the spring rowing season. The bus typically leaves "the rock" (the school entrance closest to Westmoreland Street) by 2:30 and returns there around 6:45 pm. If you're picking kids up in the evening and would like to limit the amount of time you spend waiting for them, ask them to call you when the bus leaves TBC; the trip typically takes about 20 minutes. Some older team members drive themselves to and from school and TBC. If they have their parents'/guardians' permission and fill out an FCPS Field Trip Driver's License and Vehicle Insurance Information form, they may transport other students to and from the boathouse. Note: Under Virginia law, drivers under the age of 18 who have had their licenses for less than one year may only carry one passenger under the age of 18 (excluding siblings). Those who have had their license for at least one year but have not yet turned 18 may carry three passengers under the age of 18.) No bus is provided for before-school (early morning) practices or to the Learn to Row program in the Fall. Parents are responsible for monitoring how their kids get to and from all practices and regattas.

 

Q. What happens during spring break?

A. The club takes rowers to a Spring Break Training Camp.  This has proven to be a very effective training tool, since it gives rowers concentrated time to row early in the season.  Many times, early season training is difficult due to weather conditions, so the spring break camp is further south where weather conditions are more conducive to rowing.

 

Q. It can be really cold in March and really hot in May. What should my son/daughter wear to on-the-water practice?

A. When it's cold, the key word is layering. Kids should wear at least three layers: a base layer that is thin, form fitting, and will wick moisture away from the skin; a layer of insulation that is thicker than the base layer but not bulky (synthetic fleece sweats work well); and a windblock layer (which should be water-resistant but breathable). The uni or tight-fitting shorts and a tank top are the perfect first layer; a long-sleeve lycra or UnderArmor top and long tights or pants make a great second layer. Avoid cotton and down, both of which get heavy and lose their ability to insulate when they get wet. Also avoid loose-fitting sweats or basketball shorts, since they can get caught in the slides. Coxswains generally will need to dress more warmly than rowers, since they won't get warmed up exercising. Many rowers wear a stocking cap in all but the warmest weather. As rowers warm up, they can remove layers and place them in the boat by their feet. After practice, they can quickly layer up again. When the weather is hot, most rowers just wear unis or tight-fitting shorts and tank tops, but encourage your kid to bring along a tee or sweatshirt to cover up with when they cool down after practice. We strongly suggest that you or your kids label ALL their clothing-you'd be surprised what gets left at regattas and practices!

 

Q. What do the kids need to take with them to the boathouse?

A. They should always have a water bottle with them, as well as sunscreen and good running shoes for land training (which may take place at the boathouse as well as at school). A change of clothing-particularly dry socks-is also useful (even on dry days, rowers can get splashed and soaked). For after-school practices, they should bring a healthy snack to eat before going out on the water--something that will sustain their energy level, such as fruit, bagels, sandwiches, granola bars, etc.

 

Q. My son's/daughter's hands are developing blisters from the oar. What should I do about this?

A. Blisters are a hazard of rowing that affects everyone at the beginning of the season, until their hands develop protective calluses. Medical tape and/or adhesive bandages may help protect blisters until calluses form.

 

Q. What, when, and where are regattas?

A. Regattas are organized boating competitions. McLean Crew races in local regattas from Thompson’s Boat House on the Potomac River, and Sandy Run Park on the Occoquan River. (For a list of when we are racing where this spring, see the "schedule" page on the website.) These local regattas generally are held on Saturdays and last most of the day. Parents are responsible for providing transportation to regattas. Regatta schedules usually are available a night or two before a race, and will be posted on this website as soon as possible. Coaches will notify rowers when they need to arrive on the day before the event. Coxswains usually need to arrive early for a meeting, which typically is held the morning of the regatta. Lightweight rowers also typically arrive early for weigh-ins. All regattas are staffed by volunteers, and one adult from each rower's family must volunteer for at least one job at one local regatta each spring. Please be courteous and supportive-it may be you working at the next one!

 

Q. When does the regatta season begin and end?

A. It will begin the last week in March for varsity boats and the first week of April for novice boats. The novice season will end with the Lower Boats Championships   (the Ted Phoenix Regatta) in early May; the end of the season for varsity boats will depend on how well they do, but could extend through June for boats that qualify for the Canadian Secondary School Rowing Association (CSSRA) championships in Canada.

 

Q. How does McLean Crew get its boats from Georgetown to the other regatta sites?

A. A qualified driver pulls our trailer to away sites. This means that rowers typically need to de-rig their boats and load them on the trailer at the end of their Friday practice, and will need to help set them up again before Monday’s practice..

 

Q. Is there food available at the regattas, or will my kids need to bring a lunch with them every Saturday?

A. The club sets up a "food tent" at every regatta to provide food for the rowers (and their families). Each family will be assigned to bring a food contribution to the tent approximately every other week. A typical food contribution would be two loaves of wheat bread, a jar of peanut butter or Nutella, pasta salad, a two-liter carton of orange juice, veggies and dip, instant soup or oatmeal, fresh fruit, or a case of bottled water or Gatorade. (Monetary contributions also are always welcome!) Parents take turns putting out food, making sandwiches, keeping the area clean, and taking the tent down and packing up the trailer at the end of the day. At Occoquan regattas, there are also two concession stands where food can be purchased.

 

Q. Is there anything else I should know about the food tent?

A. Only that it's a great place to hang out with other parents, catch up on race results, and meet your kid at the end of the regatta!

 

Q. Can my child leave the regatta as soon as his/her race is over?

A. No. After their races, rowers are responsible for getting their boats back to the trailer and de-rigging them. After that's done, it's generally considered good sportsmanship to stick around until the end of the regatta and cheer on the rest of the team. Your child's responsibilities continue even after the end of the regatta. When we race at Occoquan, our boats must be taken back to Georgetown and returned to the racks there. Depending on water, weather, and/or traffic conditions, this may take place immediately after the regatta or be postponed until the following day (Sunday). In general, rowers should check in with their coach and/or coxswain before leaving the regatta site.

 

Q. What about "away" regattas?

A. These are regional or national competitions that are held outside the Washington, D.C. metro area. Competitive varsity boats also will compete at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia. Qualifying varsity boats also may compete at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (Nationals) championships, and the CSSRA championships in St. Catherine's, Ontario.  Other out of town regattas may be selected by the coaches.

 

Q. I have a question for my kid's coach. What's the best time to ask him or her?

A. The most convenient time to talk with a coach is at the parent’s membership meeting, which is held the 1^st Tuesday of every month. Please don't try to engage coaches in a meaningful conversation during a regatta-since the coaches' minds are generally preoccupied with race matters, they probably won't remember anything you say!

 

Q. What's the best way for me to learn more about crew?

A. Volunteer to help! The club relies on its parents and kids to provide a lot of volunteer labor. Look at the Membership Packet for descriptions of the many volunteer opportunities available, which range from organizing fundraising activities to coordinating food preparation for regattas and from boat and equipment maintenance to making travel arrangements for out-of-town regattas. Call or email the board member or committee chair responsible for the type of work you're interested in-they'll be thrilled to hear from you! Many of the adults involved in leadership roles this year are the parents of seniors who will be leaving the club at the end of the year, so please start thinking now about which roles you might be interested in filling next year as well.