W-L Crew Basics

History

  • The Washington-Lee Crew program was founded in 1949 by Charlie Butt as a men’s only team. The women’s program was started in 1975 by Tom Chisnell. W-L has had a long history of success, winning the Henley Royal Regatta’s Prince Elizabeth’s Cup twice in 1964 and 1969.
  • Since it’s founding, W-L Crew has always rowed out of Potomac Boat Club. The club was established in 1869. The current building has been the home of PBC for the past 126 years. Our program usually runs 85-100 kids strong and the split for the last few years has been about 50/50 girls to boys.

Who can participate?

  • Any current student of Washington-Lee or rising 9th grader (i.e. 8th graders) who will be attending Washington-Lee next year. HB 8th-12th graders as long as Washington-Lee is your base school.
  • VHSL eligibility standards say a student must be passing 5 out of 7 courses at the midterm of the school year.

Practice schedule

  • Crew is a spring sport. The season starts on February 21st, 2011
  • Monday thru Friday 3:15pm (catching the bus at school) to 6pm (leaving the boat house). Saturday practices are schedule by each coach and are usually 2 hours long.
  • Bus transportation is provided Monday-Friday by the County either by School Bus or Metro Bus. Many of our athletes choose to run to practices several times a week depending on the weather. One of the parents (Dock Sitter) provide a way for bags of runners to get to the boathouse. For Saturday practices athletes need to be dropped off and picked up.

Time commitments

  • We need all of our athletes to commit to perfect attendance but understand situations arise. Please make sure to communicate directly with the coach as early as possible to notify about an absence.
  • Spring Break – We row as much as we can during this week. We hope you can work your schedules so that you are available during this time. We understand that commitments for this may have already been made. Please communicate with your coach as soon as you can about any Spring Break absences you know about ahead of time.

Winter Conditioning

  • Winter conditioning workouts will start November 15th at school from 3:30 to 5:30. Participation is not mandatory but is encouraged. Our workouts vary from rowing machine workouts, running, weights and calisthenics. We meet right after school at the football field concession stand (the Fridge). Triathlon and Mid-Atlantic Erg SprintsThere are several winter competitions in which we participate. One of which is W-L sponsored Triathlon, held on January 15, 2011, consisting of a 4k erg, 2 mile run and bench pulls (weights). In addition, we compete in the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints which is a competition using the rowing machines (usually the last weekend of January or the beginning of February).
  • We encourage all of our athletes new and old to participate in as many rowing related competitions as possible.

Regattas

  • Rowing competitions on the water are called regattas. We start competing March 19th and every Saturday thereafter. Regattas are held on the Potomac; Occoquan; Middle Town, DE; Philadelphia P;, and this year Camden, NJ.
  • Every member of our program will compete/race at some point during the season. Only championship boats or coach chosen boats compete in the last 3 regattas. The County provides athletes transportation for away/travel regattas. Regattas held out of PBC are considered home regattas and parents are expected to drop–off and pick–up their athlete(s).

Fees

  • Dues for each member of our program are $375. There is a small break for siblings. See the Booster President if you would like to request a scholarship to cover some or all of the dues. No one will be turned away for financial issues.

What is a novice?

  • A novice is the term we use for a 1st year rower. Novices are not grade related. We have novices from every grade.

What are Crew Boosters

  • Our crew program has a boosters organization separate from the school boosters and is very dependant on this organization. The School/County provides us some financial assistance and transportation but the lion share of how we operate is financed, organized and facilitated through the boosters. I hope you consider stepping in where you feel comfortable and help our strong organization be even stronger.

Requirements

  • Current VHSL physical on file at the school – through the trainer’s office NOT the school nurse.
  • Pass a swim test – 3 length of the pool any stroke, tread water for one minute and put on a life jacket in the water. This test is to be done in full sweats: top and bottoms.
  • US Rowing Waiver signed and on file with the team.
  • Boosters dues and paperwork turned in.
    • $375 per rower (again please contact the booster president if this represents a problem)
    • Registration form

Fundraising Credit of $100 for novices

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Communication - keep an eye on our team website for additional information http://w-lcrew.org