FOR NEW ROWERS (a.k.a. NOVICES)
OUR SEASON:
Starting in the fall, we hold Green Day/Learn-to-Row sessions for novices and returning rowers, to give you a chance to get in a boat before Winter Conditioning begins and to meet some of your teammates. Our Winter Conditioning program is strongly encouraged but not required and is designed to help rowers get in shape for the rigors of spring rowing. Winter Conditioning runs from November until mid-February, when spring water practices begin. Regatta season runs from mid-March through the end of May, and we typically participate in 7 local and 2-3 travel regattas.
WHAT IS REQUIRED OF CREW FAMILIES?
SERVICE SHIFTS FOR CREW & FOR VASRA: Support from families is essential to help Crew thrive and support our athletes. Every family is required to serve at least one VASRA volunteer shift and one OHS crew volunteer shift each year. Examples of the volunteer service options can be found under the Support menu. Most of these jobs are a lot of fun and get you more involved in something that's important to your child. The SIGNUPS option under the SUPPORT menu has a list of all open service shifts during the season.
FUNDRAISING PARTICIPATION: In addition to service shifts, all families must participate in fundraising activities. This year, the minimum fundraising amount is included in membership dues, and your rower is expected to assist in group fundraising activities. We cannot meet the team's financial needs without participation from ALL families. Oakton Crew receives no funding from the school or from FCPS, so we must raise the funds needed to retain the best coaches, maintain the best fleet, and organize the best support system for our athletes.
FOOD CONTRIBUTIONS: All families are expected to contribute assigned foods for pasta parties and healthy donations for the Boathouse Hospitality tent as part of their commitment to the team. Food assignments for pasta parties are announced at the beginning of the week in the Catch newsletter.
I am having trouble affording crew.
Oakton Crew seeks committed, motivated athletes regardless of your family's financial resources. We recognize that Crew is expensive, and if you would like to row but your family cannot meet the costs please contact your coach to discuss options for requesting a scholarship or partial scholarship. Additionally, each fall Northern Virginia high school students on free/reduced lunch may apply for funds from the Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship fund, described here, and if additional funds are needed Oakton Crew may be able to help balance the expense. Please don't hesitate to ask about options.
WHAT IF I NEED TO MISS PRACTICE?
Please tell your coaches IN ADVANCE if you'll be missing practice for test prep, school projects, or appointments and planned trips. While everyone is expected to attend all practices (including Spring Break), your coaches understand that some days schoolwork takes priority, and some days you're feeling ill. Oakton Crew adheres to the following protocol for notice of absences:
Students are expected to mark their availability for practices and regattas using the TeamSnap app at least one week in advance. This is not parents' responsibility — Crew athletes must develop independence and time management skills, and students are expected to communicate with their coaches in advance unless there's an emergency.
If you have a change in availability less than 24 hours before an event, message the coaches on TeamSnap along with your parent as soon as possible.
Do not pass messages to your coach through another teammate — you must personally let your coaches know in advance via TeamSnap.
Don't be afraid to reach out if you have a concern about practice — the coaches understand you are students with heavy workloads, and they also don't want you to practice if you're sick. You won't get better, and you'll infect your boat!
What Do I Need for Water Practice?
BRING a large plastic (NOT METAL) reusable water bottle every day with your name written on it in BIG SHARPIE LETTERS. Make sure it's full before you leave school. Please do not bring disposable plastic bottles, as the garbage problem is a huge issue at the river.
For February and March especially, stay covered, stay warm with thin layers, and stay as dry as possible. Always bring a spare set of clothes in case you get wet. Here's what you'll need until it warms up:
“Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”
a long-sleeve polypropylene shirt (wicks away moisture, unlike cotton)
running pants/tights or snug sweat pants & shorts (baggy sweats can get caught in the slide)
socks (2 pairs) & running shoes in case you're running hills or grandstand sprints
crew jacket or similar waterproof windbreaker
workout shirt for second layer
a hat
thin gloves or mittens for land workouts
water, water, & water & a snack
MIT Crew has a great article on layering HERE
There are outdoor changing areas at Sandy Run, but you should change at school before getting on the charter bus or in your carpool — it's much easier to change at Oakton than to change at the river.
WHAT SHOULD I EAT AFTER PRACTICE?
Continue to hydrate, and eat lean proteins, pretzels, vegetables, fruits & nuts, or whatever your coaches recommend; do not use exercise as an excuse to eat a bunch of junk food after you work out, or you risk undoing all those gains you just made.
hand care: Blister tips
It's important to take good care of your hands. Don't let your blisters get infected. Use these steps to keep your hands clean and healthy. Click here for details.
caring for your uniform:
Every teammate pays for a uniform ('uni') and a tech shirt when they join the team, and those garments are designed to last for your career at Oakton with proper care. Care instructions for your Boathouse uni are HERE. If you need a new uni during your time in Crew, it is your responsibility to order a new one with the Spiritwear VP, and you will be responsible for costs, so please make sure you take good care of it.
LEVITATING IS OPTIONAL.
do WE row in the rain?
Yes. If we didn't row every time it rained in the spring, we'd never get out on the water, but the practice time is worth it (plus rowing in the rain builds character). If there's a blizzard or the water temperature is dangerous, or if there's lightning or high winds, practice will be on land for the day. The safety of our athletes is a paramount concern for coaches. On bad weather days, keep an eye on TeamSnap for any changes in schedule or venue.
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT TIDBITS:
Put your name on everything that goes to the Boathouse. EVERYTHING. Even your flip flops. Even your shorts. Especially your water bottle.
If you lose something, post a note on Slack in the General channel.
Bring a snack or an extra sandwich for after practice — you'll be starving. Protein, dried fruits & nuts, bananas, granola bars, or ask your coaches for suggestions.
A gentle reminder about deodorant — the bus ride back will be, um, challenging with 50+ rowers post-workout. Toss an extra stick of deodorant in your crew bag for before and after practice, and please avoid sprays — the aerosols are not great for your lungs or your teammates' faces.