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POLAR BEAR REGATTA

MARCH 21, 2020  --  Occoquan River, Sandy Run Park

Races for Varsity and JV Boats Only

Heat Sheet for Polar Bear
SUG for Food Brought to Polar Bear Regatta
SUG for Volunteering at the Food Tent

10450 Van Thompson Road,

Fairfax Stations, VA  22039

Transportation:  

Our club does not provide transportation to local regattas. Carpooling is recommended as parking is limited.

Arrival times: 

Arrival times at local regattas will vary for both rowers and coxswains. Coaches typically have their boat line-ups completed Wednesday evening; the regatta schedule is typically released on Thursday. It is important that all rowers and coxswains arrive on time, or their boat will be disqualified and they will not be allowed to row.  Coaches will advise the athletes of their arrival times once the boat line-ups are finalized and the regatta schedule is released.

Coaches Arrival Time:  8:00am

Coxswain Arrival Time:  8:30am

Rowers Arrival Time:  DETERMINED BY COACHES!

Regatta Start Time:  10:00am


Regatta Schedule (aka Heat Sheets): 

The regatta schedule is typically released a day or two before the regatta on www.regattacentral.com. You can print the heat sheets out before the event or access them on your phone on the day of the regatta to figure out which boats are racing when. Regatta results will be available immediately following races on twitter @VASRAResults.  

Food Tent: 

The McLean Crew food tent provides food for rowers throughout the day at all local regattas at no charge; however, it is expected that participating families will sign-up for food/drink contributions for each one.  Our food tend provides coach-approved food (e.g. no dairy before races) and serves as a gathering place for athletes and parents before/between races.

Parking: 

Plan for additional travel time, both from the off-site parking and within the park. Sandy Run is a superb rowing location, but not user-friendly for large crowds. Please show courtesy to each other and especially the volunteer parkers. It is not their fault that the parking lot is full. Come early as the lots fill up quickly. Carpooling highly recommended. Follow @VASRAParking on Twitter for parking updates and notification of when off-site parking is in effect.

Rowers/Volunteers can be dropped off at the 1st lot (Van Thompson) for a free shuttle into the park. You can pick them up here as well.  If you want to go past the Van Thompson lot for any reason, you will need to pay the parking fee.

  • Free Rower Drop off is in Van Thompson lot starting at 6:15 AM

  • Free Rower Pick up is in Van Thompson lot until the last race

There will be money collectors at the park entrance ($20 per car) and parking attendants directing you to the closest available parking.  After you have parked and are inside the park, Van Thompson Road continues down a steep hill. The sign-in area for all volunteers, the boathouse, launch area and regatta headquarters is at the end of Van Thompson Road. The MCC Food Tent is usually set up in the back of Parking Lot "A" where the shell trailers are parked and the rigging/derigging occurs, on the left side as your approach the launch area. 

  • The $20 parking fee will apply to everyone entering the park without a VASRA issued pass

  • NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN FOR ANY REASON

See Sandy Run Line Map and Sandy Run Aerial Map to find specified locations. 

Off-Site Parking 

 Once the on-site parking is full, which usually early in the day, cars will be directed to the off-site parking location at 12849 Gordon Bld. (Rt 123) Woodbridge. Parking updates are provided on Twitter #VASRAParking and the club will try to email out as available.

From Sandy Run, turn right (south) on Rt. 123. Proceed 4.8 miles, crossing the Occoquan River. The parking lot is on the right, the old Hechinger’s location, at the intersection of Rt. 123 and Old Bridge Rd. The VASRA Shuttle buses for the Off-site lot will have labeled signs in the side windows. There will be an attendant on the shuttles collecting the shuttle fee, which is $5 per person. All parking shuttles drop off at Parking Lot "C". 

 

Viewing: 

There are three routes to the Sandy Run Finish Line from the park areas:

  1. by shuttle bus ($3 per person) which leaves from the upper Parking Lot "C" (5 minute ride)

  2. by foot on the path from the Parking Lot "C"  (1/2 mile on a winding and hilly path)

  3. by foot on the path from the boathouse (3/4 mile on a winding and hilly path - about a 20 minute walk)

At the grandstand by the finish line there is a semi-covered, concrete viewing area, a concession stand and bathroom facilities.

Still have Questions?

Email  Honi Smith at mccregatta@gmail.com

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