Crew News #2, requests for conflicts

All:


Thanks to the folks who attended Thursday and today. For those that could not attend, here's a summary:

(1) Location of and directions to the boathouse are found as a hot link on the team's website, and is accessible from the school's website under the athletics tab (team websites.)

http://www.chsvb.org/athletics/team_sites.asp

(2) Transportation concerns can be somewhat ameliorated by using the school's big white bus to transport students to practice. The bus leaves school at 3:30 and should arrive at the boathouse around 4:00. The fee is yet to be determined (but I believe it was $1/day last year.) Note that the bus does not return to school so parents are responsible to pick up students. Arrangements for the bus should you choose that option should be made with Michael Blount, the school's director of public relations at blountm@chsvb.org. Parents can also arrange carpools to drop off and pick up rowers at the end of practices.

(3) Boat Assignment will not be made until mid-March. The first two week will be concentrated on training novices, and working with the returning rowers to find the fastest boats.

(4) Regatta Schedule and commitments required. Please tell me as soon as possible if you cannot attend any of the regatta dates. I should have that information as soon as you know. Weekly schedule conflicts will be solicited before I prepare the week's practice schedule.

(5) Uniforms/crew jackets. Please get a pair of rowing shorts. Here's a website that compares products from various vendors:

http://www.epinions.com/sprt-All-Rowing-Clothing-Tights_and_Trou

Black is the preferred color for shorts. Rowers in a crew also need to be "uniform" with their shirts. I have some white with green side panels rowing tops and will be buying more. Novices can use the t-shirts from P.E. or anything that they agree on. Additional rowing "gear" such as windbreakers, hoodies, etc. can be coordinated by parents if desired.

(6) Parent volunteers and the Local Organizing Committee. See the letter from Jay O'Brien. The "mock regatta" is in two weeks (not rowers or boats, just a training session for volunteers.)

(7) The US Rowing/EVSRA Liability Release is required before racing. I will post the names of those who have it completed and those who still need to turn it in. Deadline is the first regatta (3 weeks.)

(8) Future capital requirements/goals. Do we want to become a "8" program? I can go either way, but there will be a need for a trailer if we want to compete in eights. Perhaps a parent sub committee could look into this aspect of the program. Both Mr. Price and Mr. Kilpatrick are supportive of Crew.

New Topic

Please send me any conflicts you have for practices this coming week. The weather forecast is not good for on the water practice Tues/Wed//Thurs. For novices, the first on-the-water practice will probably be Friday (I hope to get the varsity out on Monday and Friday.) For mid-week we should be in the gym. After receiving all conflicts and looking at the weather I'll prepare the schedule Sunday evening and send it out then. Expect some commitment M-F from 3:30-4:30, probably most days this week ashore.

Mr. B.