Below is the updated crew manual, especially useful for new rowers, coxswains, and their parents. Thanks for all those who dropped by for the crew meeting. I hope to have a few learn-to-row sessions in September and October, probably on Sunday afternoons (so as to not conflict with football.) The dates will be announced at school and via the group e-mail distribution.
Pull Hard!
Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School Crew Manual (revised 2012)
Background Information
Crew is the sport of rowing a lightweight
boat (shell) as fast as it will go! At Bishop Sullivan, our shells are powered
by four or eight sweep rowers and are steered by a coxswain (cox-n). In sweep rowing, each rower handles a single
oar in a shell approximately 42 feet long (for a 4-person shell) or 68 foot
long for an eight.
Crew as a sport has several unique
characteristics. While teamwork plays an important role in all "team"
sports, it is absolutely critical in rowing.
A boat's success is dependent on all the boat’s rowers putting forth
100% effort, in unison. Crew is as much a mental endeavor as it is a physical
one; the psychological pressure not to let your team down can be astounding.
This concept of teamwork serves team members well, in school and throughout
life.
Physically, rowing requires a near-perfect
blend of power, coordination and endurance: power in the delivery of each
independent stroke, coordination in the timing of the delivery of the strokes,
and endurance in the ability to sustain that output for up to 1500 meters. The integrated delivery of the legs, back,
upper torso and arms for each stroke, up to 35 strokes per minute over a race
lasting 6 minutes is unlike any other athletic endeavor. Post-event exhaustion can only be partially
overcome by the satisfaction of a job well done and the occasional thrill of
victory. See the appendix for a list of rowing terms.
Crew also imparts a serious sense of
discipline, which seems to carry over to better performance academically by
requiring careful budgeting of time between sports and schoolwork.
Bishop Sullivan Catholic High Crew
The BSCHS crew program was established in
the spring of 2000 and continues to grow in size. We will continue to build on
the experience and success of last year when our men's varsity 8 finished 2nd in the regional championship (with 14 schools competing) and when we entered both our top men's and women's eights in the state championship. Last season we also acquired an additional four and a single, both of which increase the rowing opportunities for the team.
Goals
The BSCHS crew
program has established the following goals that reflect the nature of the
program as a varsity sport and the needs of the program over time:
1. To
have everyone row as often as possible in as many regattas as possible.
2. As
a team, to have all members compete in a crew at every regatta.
3. To
acquire additional equipment, in particular ergs and oars, to provide
additional rowing opportunities for students.
4. To
promote a spirit of camaraderie, enjoyment, responsibility and dedication where
students learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, in addition to learning to
row.
The Bishop Sullivan Catholic High Crew Program
The
sport of rowing (a.k.a. “crew”) is a relatively new addition to interscholastic
athletics in the Hampton Roads area. Both public and private high schools
participate in crew. BSCHS will compete against Norfolk Collegiate, Norfolk Academy Granby , Hickory ,
Great Bridge Cape Henry and Saint Margaret (of Tappahannock). Crew has
strong support from the administration, the athletic director, and the Crusader
Club. The majority of the support for the program, however, comes from the
student/athletes and/or their parents. The contributions of the both the
student/athletes and their parents in time and transportation are the
cornerstone of the program's success.
Inventory of Equipment
Bishop Sullivan’s crew program has
benefited from the dedication and commitment of student/athletes and parents.
We have acquired the following inventory:
2 WinTech
shells (4+), new in 2007
2 older fiberglass
shells (both Schoenbrod Intercollegiate 4+)
1 older
Schoenbrod Intercollegiate 8+
1 older
Vespoli 8+
1 older Vespoli
4+
1 older
Hudson single 1X
26 oars
4 ergometers
2 outboard
motors
2 safety
boats
1 trailer
capable of holding up to 9 shells
and considerable support
equipment (life vests, gas cans, spare parts, etc.) Boats and equipment are maintained by the
coach and coxswains.
Transportation
Transportation to practice and regattas is the
responsibility of each family. Junior and senior members of the team often form
carpools. The school has a bus that can transport rowers to the afterschool
practices for a nominal fee (there is no return but to school, however.)
Ultimately transportation to and from practices and local regattas is the
responsibility of individual families. The school will provide transportation
to “away” regattas.
Rower's Equipment
The equipment required for the rower
consists of running shoes, workout clothes, and a water bottle. Suggested
clothing include: polypropylene or spandex pants or shorts, long underwear
shirt, wool or fleece hat, long running tights, wool socks, a polar fleece
jacket, sweats (tops and bottoms), and a hat for sunny days. Weather in March,
April and May can be very cold. Crew team shirts are provided by the crew club.
Racing uniforms shirts for the boys and girls are provided by the school.
Fall Training
Learn-to-row training will take place in
the fall. Scheduled sessions will be arranged to accommodate students’
availability. The boat will often consist of a mixed crew (boys and girls).
There are a couple of long “head races” in the fall in which we hope to enter
our most experienced crew.
Off season
Conditioning
The off season conditioning and weight
training begins on the first of December. Winter conditioning is optional for
those students who are not involved in a fall or winter sport at Bishop
Sullivan. It is highly recommended for all other rowers and is a very important
part of the program. Off-season conditioning will consist of 2-3 days of weight
training and aerobic conditioning per week.
A completed VHSL Athletic Participation/Parental Consent/Physical
Examination Form is required before
participation in winter conditioning will be allowed. There is an indoor “erg
race” sponsored by the Hampton Roads Rowing Club in mid-February where team
members can compare their conditioning with other high school students on
indoor rowing machines.
Practices
On-the-water practices are currently held
on the Lafayette River Sigrid Robertson
Rowing Center Lakewood Park Norfolk . When on the water, the shells are
accompanied by a safety boats manned by the coaches and containing life jackets
and other safety gear, such as blankets. The safety boats remains within 100
yards of the shells at all times.
Megaphones are used to communicate between the safety boat and the
shells. All student/athletes must pass a swim test to demonstrate their ability
to handle themselves in case of an accident. The coaches at the start of the
season hold demonstrations on safety and recovery.
Weight
training and conditioning practices are held in the BSCHS weight room, in the
gym, or on the track. When students are not on the water they should be working
out with their crew. Distance running is a team effort headed by the team
captains.
Boat Selection
The coaches select individuals for boats
based on many factors. Rowers demonstrate their physical ability on rowing
machines called ergometers. The coaches also look for good rowing technique in
the boat, which is developed over time and with concentration at practice.
Attitude and attendance at practice play a role in boat selection as well. In
all cases, the coaches reserve the right to use a certain amount of subjective
judgment in making these decisions.
Student/Athlete Standards
The Bishop Sullivan Catholic High crew
program adheres to all BSCHS athletic standards. In order to participate in
crew, the student/athlete must subscribe to each of the following standards to
remain eligible. These standards include, but are not limited to:
* Proof of a valid physical exam
within the last calendar year. All physicals are to be turned into the Athletic
Director’s Office.
* Demonstrated ability to pass a
swim test that consists of swimming 50 yards and treading water for 10 minutes,
fully clothed.
* Compliance with VHSL and crew
program eligibility rules. This includes
maintaining passing grades to participate.
* Attendance at all scheduled
practices. Only those absences approved by the
coach will be excused.
* Failure to attend practices
will affect team status.
* Missed practices may be made
up at the discretion of the coach.
* Absolute compliance with
Bishop Sullivan’s no smoking/alcohol/drug abuse policy.
* Completion of the EVSRA/USRowing liability waiver.
2013 Crew Season
Crew season officially begins March 1st and
goes through mid May. Practice during the season is held before or after school
on weekdays and on some Saturdays and Sundays. Regattas are held weekends
(usually Saturdays.) The scheduled regattas typically include four local
regattas held at Botanical Gardens, including the EVSRA Championships and the Independent
Schools Championships, one or two regattas at Mathews, Virginia , a regatta at Richmond , and the state championships in
Occoquan. The schedule is posted on the team’s website.
Regattas are almost always on Saturdays and
start as early as 7 a.m. and
last for the better part of the day, ending around 3:00 p.m. “Away” regattas usually require either
a Friday departure (for Occoquan) or a very early Saturday departure (for
Mathews or Richmond.) All crew parents
and family members are invited to cheer for BSCHS at regattas. You should bring
your own lawn chairs, seat cushions and/or blankets.
Regatta Events
A regatta consists of races referred to as
events. Events consist of different
sizes, classes and configuration of shells. The events during a regatta include
varsity and novice classes. Boys and girls compete is separate races. All
schools in the area compete in fours. Some schools also field eights.
Regatta Locations
Regattas are held at one of four locations.
Locally, the Lake
Whitehurst Azalea
Gardens Lafayette River Robertson Rowing Center James River regattas to which transportation
will be provided by the school’s mini-bus.
Lettering
To letter, a student/athlete must meet Bishop
Sullivan Catholic High's academic criteria, be in good standing and be a
superior athlete. In good standing means participation in support activities,
fund raising activities and helping to maintain the equipment. As a club sport
with varsity status, varsity letters are awarded according to standards
established by the school and the coaches. As a general rule, varsity letters
are awarded to rowers who compete in interscholastic competition. All athletes
who participate on the crew team for three years will also be awarded a letter.
Coaches and Parents
Our program is fortunate to have dedicated,
experienced and involved individuals on our coaching staff. The head coach is
Mr. Bousquet, a math teacher and senior class moderator at BSCHS. Mr. Bousquet
is a US Rowing Level I certified coach. The assistant coach is Mr. Jay O’Brien.
Assisting both are parents of team members. Parents are also needed to assist
at regattas (as timers, skiff operators, even “go-fers.”) There is an
opportunity for parent volunteers to receive free training in regatta positions
and to become US Rowing-certified referees.
Strong involvement from parents allows the crew program to grow and
succeed.
Bishop Sullivan Catholic High Crusader Club
The Crusader Club works with the school to
support the Bishop Sullivan Catholic High crew program. The Crusader Club
consists of parents of student/athletes who help support all the
extra-curricular activities of the school. Parents who wish to support the crew
team should join the Crusader Club to coordinate their efforts.
Liability Insurance
The United States Rowing Association (USRA)
provides liability insurance to all involved in conducting its sanctioned
regattas. Such insurance facilitates the conduct of regattas with the large
number of volunteer workers without whom the events would not otherwise be
possible. The EVSRA/USRowing waiver must be completed and on file with the
coach before students attend on-the-water activities.
Directions to rowing sites
Robertson Rowing Center at Lakewood Park Norfolk :
From the I-264/I-64 interchange go north on I-64 towards Richmond (outer beltway or I-64West). Take the 2nd Tidewater Drive exit (#277A, Tidewater
Drive/Rte 168 South). Once on Tidewater, go about a mile and a half, through 4
lights and turn right onto Willow
Wood Drive . The entrance to Lakewood Park Rowing
Center Lafayette
River
Botanical Gardens. Take
I-64 to the Norview Avenue/Airport exit. Head towards the airport, turn left on
Azalea Garden
Glossary
Shell - The racing boat. Shells come for single rowers, pairs, fours, and
eights. Fours are the most common type in local interscholastic racing. A four
is approximately 42 feet long, narrow (about two feet wide at its widest
point), and weighs about 180 pounds. Shells are finely designed and constructed
pieces of equipment.
Oars - Longer than the garden variety type for rowboats - some 12 feet
in length and like shells, lightweight and finely designed.
Riggers - The metal apparatus from the side of the shells upon which
oarlocks are fitted to handle the oars.
Slide - Two tracks upon which the rower's seat is fixed. The seat moves
forward and backward on the slide, enabling the rower to "gather up"
his or her body at the start of the stroke and then use the combined power of
the legs, back, and arms when actually executing the slide.
Sweep - A shell configured so that each rower has one oar. Oars on a
sweep shell are normally alternated from side to side.
Scull - A shell configured so that each rower has two oars, one on each
side of the boat.
Coxswain - The person who sits at the
stern of the shell and steers, gives commands to the crew and generally acts as
an "on-site" assistant to the coach. Because coxswains don't pull an
oar, relatively lightweight people are sought for the position; however, a good
coxswain will have as much competitive spirit as the rowers and can make a
considerable difference to a crew's success.
Stroke - The stern-most rower in the boat that sits just in front of the
coxswain. The stroke sets the pace for the rest of the crew, responding to the
urging and encouragement of the coxswain.
Port and Starboard Rowers - In sweep rowing, the designation of a rower according to whether
he or she normally rows with an oar on the port or starboard side of the shell.
Catch - The start of a rowing stroke. The crew literally
"catches" their oars in the water while beginning the stroke.
Release - The act of getting the oar out of the water at the end of the
stroke and beginning the recovery (gathering the body with the knees coming up)
for the next stroke.
Crab - Not the hard or soft-shelled variety. A rower catches a
"crab" when his or her oar doesn't enter the water properly at the
catch, and the blade buries itself to varying degrees in the water instead of
flowing smoothly through the stroke. Crabs slow a boat down and are to be
avoided if possible, but all rowers experience them at one time or another.
Set - The term "set" refers to the extent to which the boat
is balanced from side to side while rowing. A crew rowing in such a way that
the shell is not dipping to port or starboard continually is said to have good
"set" in its row.
Power 10- a set of strokes when the crew makes an extra effort to
"get everything on the oar" and make the shell go faster. (Can be
power 15 or 20 also). Used in a race to try and get a tactical advantage on the
other crew(s).
Ergometer - A rowing machine. An
"erg" allows beginning rowers to learn the basics of the stroke
before going on the water and all rowers to develop their conditioning.
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