“Pasta Party or Boat Dinners”

Pasta Parties or Boat Dinners, while a team related activity, not an official event, have been a long standing tradition of W-L Crew. Their goal is to promote team spirit. On the evening of a regatta (or on the evening of travel to the regatta), members of one or several boats get together for a dinner. The host parent provides sauce, pasta, plates, cups, and utensils. The rowers bring all side dishes, bread, juice, and desserts. These evenings should not go late into the evening as a big day is ahead of each rower.

Each parent host will cook the pasta and sauce, but more importantly make sure that host home rules are not abused or the party does not get “out of hand.” Each parent host and rower is encouraged to read the section of “General Guidance on Behavior of Rowers” in this handbook.

The rowers organize the boat dinners. Hint: Girls have done a better job of this in the past. Here are some suggested guidelines:

Captains and coxswains should start the organization process.

1. Decide who will host the dinner, rowers to ask permission of parents early in the week.
2. Assign who will bring what side dishes, such as salad, veggies, bread, juice, desserts.
3. Host family to give out directions, time, phone number, to each member of the boat
4. Have fun. Boat dinners are a great opportunity for both parents and athletes to get to know teammates better.