LOCAL REGATTAS

Transportation:  The Club does not provide transportation to local regattas. Carpooling is recommended as parking is limited.

 

Arrival times: Arrival times at local regattas vary for the rowers and coxswains. Boat line-ups will be available around Wednesday nights and then arrival times set by the coaches after the regatta schedule is released (usually Thursdays). It is important that all rowers and coxswains arrive on time, which is sometimes 7am or earlier, or their boat will be disqualified and they will not be allowed to row.  Coaches will advise the rowers of the arrival times during the week preceding the regatta.

Regatta Schedule (aka Heat Sheets):  A listing of the days races is available a day or two before the regatta on www.regattacentral.com and will be emailed. 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. 

 

Schedule: Regattas are all-day events and the rowers are expected to be there until the end of the regatta to take care of the equipment and support their teammates. If a rower needs to leave before the end of the regatta, the rower must let his or her coach know ahead of time.  Rowers may be expected to go to Thompson Boat Center (TBC) after the regatta, or on the following day,  to unload and rig the boats. Coaches will let the rowers know if this is required and when.

 

Food Tent: The McLean Crew food tent provides food for rowers throughout the day at all local regattas and there is no charge - it is expected that participating families will sign-up for food/drink contributions for each week.  Please review information posted at Food Tent and Nutrition for additional details on the McLean Crew food tent at local regattas. The food tent provides coach-approved food (e.g., no dairy before races) and they don’t have to pay separately.

 

The MCC Food Tent serves as a gathering place for the rowers and parents before/between races. See additional information under each venue. 

Rower Gear: How to dress and what to bring:

• Rowers must have their Uniform: unis/tanks and tech shirts, with them or they will not be able to row. This is a VASRA/regatta rule (though sometimes lifted for extreme weather). For emergencies a limited number of extra uniforms are kept on the food trailer. 

• Rowers should be prepared for all weather conditions. It can be freezing in the morning and blistering hot in the afternoon. It can be rainy and muddy. Headgear can be worn and is usually advised and often coordinated within a boat.

• Rowers should bring and apply sunscreen prior to their race, rain or shine, because you may sit on the water anywhere from 10 minutes to 1.5 hours.

• Rowers should bring reusable water bottles and all rowers should be well hydrated prior to arrival.  Bulk water will be available at the food tent.  Disposal water bottles will not be supplied.

• In their duffle bags, rowers should include: running shoes for warm up runs, a change of clothes and comfortable shoes for after the races. Sunglasses are also recommended.

 

SANDY RUN REGATTAS

Parking:  Onsite parking fee has increased to $20 per car at Sandy Run, and can involve shuttle buses to the venue within the park area. Once on-site parking is full there is a $5 remote lot that is 5 miles away with a shuttle bus - this can add significant travel time so plan accordingly.  See DIRECTIONS for more information and Sandy Run Map. 

Parking updates on Twitter #VASRAParking

Viewing: The viewing grandstand at Occoquan/Sandy Run, where spectators can see the racecourse,  is about a 1.5 mile hike from the parking lots and launch area where we gather at the MCC Foot Tent. Bring comfortable shoes for the hike on a forest trail, with some steep inclines. There is a shuttle bus to the viewing area that costs $3 but the lines can be long and intended for those in need.

The viewing grandstand can get crowded at the larger events, its partially exposed so wear raingear if rain is predicted and bring sunscreen and sunglasses in any event. There are places on the grass to set up folding chairs, so plan accordingly and consider bringing a folding chair for backup.

There are bathrooms near the viewing area and VASRA concessions available for sale near grandstand. Binoculars are a good idea as well as reading materials or hobbies to occupy yourself between events.

 

Food Tent:  McLean’s food tent and team gathering spot is between the parking lots and the launch dock (usually the first position on the left side of road as you walk towards the launch docks). This is where the rowers meet, rig the boats, prepare for races and then proceed to the launch area in preparation for a race. The race finish is at the grandstand as mentioned under viewing, a 1.5 mile hike from food tent area. See Sandy Run Line Map or Sandy Run Aerial Map for marked location. 

 

POTOMAC RIVER REGATTAS

Parking: for regattas on the Potomac River is limited.  There is on-street parking, usually metered, and private lots.  Parking in private lots.  

 

Viewing:  The finish line for regattas on the Potomac River is the Washington Harbor complex.  There are no stands.  We recommend that you bring a folding chair.