WESTFIELD HIGH SCHOOL CREW-Chantilly, Virginia

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REGATTA INFORMATION

SANDY RUN REGIONAL PARK REGATTA DAY INFORMATION 

 Is there a fee to come to the regattas?

There is a $10 parking fee per vehicle. Please car pool and save money.

Can I park anywhere when I come to a regatta?

Please follow the parking directions. There is no parking along the road in the neighborhood.

How much time should I allow to get to the grandstands?

You should give yourself an hour before your rowers race to be safe. You will have to wait for the money collectors and wait to be parked. After you park you will have to find your way to C lot to walk the trail or take the shuttle to the grandstands. Later in the day it may even take longer if you are parked in the outer lots that require you to take a shuttle or walk to the main park.

How is the parking money used?

Half of the money goes to the Park Authority that helps cover services and staff throughout the year. The other half goes to the regatta sponsor to cover their expenses.

Do rowers have to pay to park?

Everyone has to pay, unless you are Sandy Run staff, regatta staff, officials or coaches. We encourage car pooling as much as possible.

Do I have to pay the fee to drop a rower off?

Inform the money collector that you are dropping a rower off. They will collect the fee from you and give you a drop off ticket. You will have 30 minutes to drop off your rower. Stop at the money collectors on your way out and give them the ticket to receive your money back.

Where do I drop my rower off if I’m not staying?

After the money collectors, you will follow Van Thompson Road into the park. Inform the parking crew that you are dropping off a rower and they will direct you into C lot where you will drop off your rower and then exit the lot. It is too busy below that point with pedestrians, rowers and boats for you to go any further.

If I need to leave the regatta and come back, do I have to pay again?

Please let the money collectors know that you are leaving and coming back. They will issue you a ticket to re-enter.

Is there a discount for car pooling?

Team buses and team vans with seating for 12 or more do not have to pay the parking fee.

Are there shuttles from the parking lots?

Shuttles are provided by the regatta sponsors. If the regatta is large, we will be parking cars at the Van Thompson lot just past the money collectors. Shuttles are provided from that lot at no cost. On Championship regattas, vehicles will be parked at the satellite parking lot and bused in for a fee, but will not have to pay the $10 parking fee.

Is there a shuttle from the Loisvale lot?

That lot is close to the park and there are trails to get to the main park. Please use the trails and stay off of the roads. Vehicles will be going in and out of that lot and it is not safe to walk the road.

How do I get to the grandstands?

There is a trail that can be walked from the C lot. The trail follows the contour of the land and has hills. When you come to a "T" in the path you will go left to the grandstands (about .6 miles) and if you go right that will take you to the lower boathouses (about .4 miles). DO NOT WALK ON THE ROAD TO THE GRANDSTANDS! There is also a shuttle van that runs to the grandstand from C lot, provided by the regatta sponsor.

What time will the shuttle to the grandstands start?

The shuttles start running 45 minutes before the start of the first race.

Is there a fee for the grandstand shuttle?

There is a fee each way (usually $2). The money collected helps off set the rental and gas of the vans.

How far of a walk is it to the grandstands if I don’t take the shuttle?

When you come to a "T" in the path you will go left to the grandstands (about .6 miles) and if you go right that will take you to the lower boathouses (about .4 miles).  You will want to wear good walking shoes.
DO NOT WALK ON THE ROAD TO THE GRANDSTANDS!

Why can’t we drive to the grandstands?

There is no parking. The one lane road to the grandstands is just for the two vans that go back and forth and is unsafe for any other vehicles.

Do you have handicap parking accommodations?

We have handicap parking spaces in C lot (close to the trail and shuttle) and in D lot (across from trailer parking).

I’m in a wheelchair, how do I get to the grandstands?

A regatta staff member can drive you over to the grandstands. If you have a special wheelchair vehicle, you will need a "special permit". To get a "special permit", PLEASE CONTACT THE REGATTA SPONSOR TO OBTAIN A "SPECIAL ACCOMODATION FORM" PRIOR TO EACH REGATTA. Follow the instructions of the parking staff to follow the shuttle van over to the grandstands.

How do I get my elderly parent, who can’t walk well, to the grandstand?

A regatta staff member can drive your elderly parent over to the grandstands if they can’t walk from the shuttle drop-off point to the grandstands. For planning purposes, PLEASE CONTACT THE REGATTA SPONSOR TO OBTAIN A "SPECIAL ACCOMODATION FORM" PRIOR TO EACH REGATTA.

Why are pets banned from the park on regatta days?

Pets have been banned because of dog fights, bites, dog defecation and tripping rowers as they carry expensive shells.

Is food sold at regattas?

The regatta sponsors typically provide grilled foods, snacks and drinks as a fundraiser.


 

Regatta Information for Rowers:



  • Sandy Run races usually start at 9:00 A.M. You have to be there well ahead of your race
    time. Coxswains must arrive for their 7:00 A.M. meeting. The coach will let you know
    when and where to gather.

  • If you are running late you can be dropped off in the lower parking lot before the driver finds
    a place to park.

  • Wear shoes that will not fall off. Do not wear flip-flops. You are responsible to move equipment
    to and from the water and will be walking around on a steep hill.

  • Bring a water bottle.

  • Dress appropriately for the weather (layers). Be prepared for weather changes.

  • You may want to bring a blanket/tarp/chair.

  • Put your gear/etc. in a bag with your name on it and make sure you take everything home with
    you. Be sure to pick up any trash at the tent site before you leave.

  • You may want to bring some money as there are items for sale; t-shirts, hotdogs, drinks.


Regatta Information for Parents:



  • Pets are not allowed in Sandy Run Park on regatta days. Do not bring them, they will turn you away.

  • You are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to carpool. Parking is $10.00 per car ($5.00 goes to the
    park authority and $5.00 goes to NCASRA). There are many attendees and parking can be time
    consuming. If you are a regatta volunteer please give yourself an hour for parking to make certain you are on time for your position.

  • It is a long hike from the parking areas to the race viewing stands so only pack what you can
    carry comfortably and wear walking shoes/sneakers. There are vans that run from the top
    parking lot to the race course for $1.00 each way.

  • Bring a chair or waterproof cushion (the stands are concrete). Binoculars are particularly useful.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather (layers).

  • Bring your own food/drinks/snacks or you can purchase from the concession stands.

  • Coaches register for the races Wednesday evening. The race schedule is set on Thursday or
    Friday. When the schedule has been finalized the race sheets are made available (for free)
    on the NCASRA website (www.ncasra.org and www.roninracing.com). The race sheets are also sold at concession stands each week.

  • Sandy Run's lost and found is at the Headquarters building.
DESCRIPTION OF TERMS USED IN ROWING
 

Blades

The wide flat section of the oar at the head of the shaft. The two types are hatchet and spoon.


Hatchets

(aka big blades or choppers or cleavers) These oar blades have a bigger surface area than
the "standard" or spoon blades and have a hatchet or meat cleaver shape.

Oar

The piece of equipment which each rower uses to propel the boat. In sweep rowing, each
oar is approximately 12 feet long, lightweight and well designed.


Shell

The racing boat. Shells come in configurations and sizes for single rowers, pairs, fours,
and eights. An eight is approximately 60 feet long, narrow (about two feet wide at its
widest point), and weighs about 380 pounds.


Scull

A shell configured so that each rower, uses two oars. This term is also used
interchangeably when referring to the oars used in a sculling shell, the shell itself or to the
act of rowing in a sculling shell.


Sweep

A shell configured so that each rower has one oar. Oars on a sweep shell are normally
alternated from side to side.


Foot Stretcher

An adjustable bracket in a shell to which the rower's feet are secured in attached
sneakers or similar footwear.


Rigger

The device that connects the oarlock to the shell and is bolted to the body of the shell.


Oarlock

A U-shaped swivel which holds the oar in place. It is mounted at the end of the rigger and
rotates around a metal pin.


Button

A plastic or metal fitting tightened on the oar to keep the oar from slipping through the
oar lock.


Slide

(or track) Two tracks on which the seat moves. The seat moves forward and backwards
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.


Gunwale

(or gunnel) Top section on the sides of a shell which runs along the sides of the crew
section where the rowers are located. The riggers are secured to the gunwale with bolts.


Rudder

Steering device at the stern. The rudder is connected to cables (tiller ropes) that the coxswain uses to steer the shell.


Skeg

(or fin) A small fin located along the sern section of the hull. This helps to stablize the shell in
holding a true course when rowing. All racing shells have a skeg. The skeg should not be
confused with the rudder.


Rigging

The adjustment and alteration of accessories (riggers, footstretchers, oar etc.) in and on the shell. Examples of rigging adjustments that can be made are the height of the rigger,
location of the foot stretchers, location and height of the oarlocks, location of the button (or collar) on the oar and the pitch of the blade of the oar.


Slings

Collapsible/portable frames with straps upon which a shell can be placed termporarily.


Rowing Cycle Terms:

Stroke

One full motion to move a shell. Is also used as a term referring to the stern-most rower who
sits nearest the coxswain.

Catch

The start of the rowing cycle at which the blade enters the water. It is accomplished by an
upward motion of the arms only. The blade of the oar must be full squared at the catch.

Feathering

The act of turning the oar blade from a position perpendicular to the surface of the water to a
position parallel to the water. This is done in conjunction with the release.

Release

A sharp downward (and away) motion of the hand which serves to remove the oar blade from the water and start the rowing cycle.

Recovery

Part of the rowing cycle from the release up to and including where the oar blade enters the water.

Squaring

A gradual rolling of the oar blade from a position (almost) perpendicular to the surface of the
water. This is accomplished during the recovery portion of the rowing cycle and is done in
preparation for the catch.

Drive

That part of the rowing cycle when the rower applies power to the oar. This is a more (or less)
blended sequence of applying power primarily with a leg drive, then the back and and finally the arms.

Finish

The last part of the drive before the release where the power is mainly coming from the back and arms.

Rating

The number of strokes per minute. Also known as stroke rating.

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 also be power 15 or 20. Used in a race to try and get a tactical
advantage on the other crews.

Crab

Not a hard or soft-shelled edible. "Catching a crab" refers to a problem encountered by a rower when his or her oat gets "stuck" in the water, usually right after the catch or just
before the release and is caused by improper squaring or feathering. The momentum
of the shell can overcome the rower's control of the oar. In extreme cases the rower can actually be ejected from the shell by the oar.

Other terms of Interest:
 

Bow

The forward of end of the shell

Stern

The rear end of the shell

Port

The left side of the boat when facing the bow. In sweep rowing, the designation of a rower who normally rows with an oar on the starboard side.

Starboard

The right side of the shell when facing the bow. In sweep rowing, the designation of a rower who normally rows with an oar on the starboard side.

Coxswain

(pronounced "cox'n") The person who sits at the stern of the shell, steers, gives commands, calls the ratings and urges the rowers on in a race. A knowledgeable coxswain will
generally serve as an "on-site/ in the shell" assistant to the coach. Relatively light in weight, a good coxswain will have as much competitive spirit as the rowers and make a considerable
difference to team performance.

The Stroke

The rower sitting nearest the stern (and the coxswain if there is one). The stroke is responsible for setting the stroke length and cadence for the rest of the crew, following the
commands and encouragement of the coxswain.

Check

Any abrupt deceleration of the shell caused by some uncontrolled motion within the shell; an
interruption in the forward motion of the shell.

Course

A straight race course for rowers that normallys has 4-6 lanes. In high school, the course
length is 1500 meters, while in college and Olympic events, the course length is 2000
meters.

Cox Box

A small electronic device which aids the coxswain by amplifying his or her voice and which
gives a readout of important information such as stroke count.

Ergometer

A rowing machine. An "erg" allows beginning rowers to learn the basics of the stroke before
going on the water, and is used by all rowers to develop their conditioning.

Weigh-Enough

Actually sounds like "way-nuff". This is the coxswain's call to have all rowers stop rowing.

Rowing Boats (Shells)

The boats (or shells) are of two types and reflect the two forms of rowing - sweep rowing
and sculling. In sweep rowing, each rower handles a single oar (about 12.5 ft or 3.9m long).
In sculling, a rower iess two oars, or sculls, (each about 9.5 ft or 3m long). The word shell
is often used in reference to the boats used because the hull is only about 1/8" to 1/4" thick
to make it as light as possible. These shells are also rather long and narrow as possible.

Each rower has his back to the direction the shell is moving and power is generated from the
rower's legs, back and arms. The rower sits on a sliding seat with wheels on a track called the slide.

Each oar is held in a U-shaped swivel (oarlock) mounted on a metal pin at the end of a rigger.
The rigger is an assembly of tubes that is tightly bolted to the body of the shell. The subtypes
of rowing shells are classified according to the number of rowers in a shell.

Sweep Boats (each rower has one oar)

These shells can have a coxswain - a person who steers the shell (using a rudder) and urges
the rowers on. Included in parenthesis is the symbol used for each subtype along with some
dimension and weight.
 

Coxed Four (4+) - Four sweep rowers with a coxswain.
 

Straight (or Coxless) Four (4-) - Four sweep rowers without a coxswain. Steering is
usually accomplished via a rudder that is attached to a cable that is connected to one of the rower's foot stretcher (there is an adjustable bracket to which the rower's feet are secured). The coxless pair has a similar type of rudder setup.
 

Eight (8+) or (8-) - Eight sweep rowers with a coxswain. Eights are 60+ feet (~18.5 meters) long and weigh about 380 pounds (~173k).