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Practices

Location & Practice Schedule

Practice requires planning. You MUST notify coaches of any absences prior to 3:00 on the day of practice. Email absences to: 
This is the ONLY address monitored by the coaches. Email alone does not always equal an excused absence. That is at the discretion of the coaches.

Spring​ ​​Practice​ ​Schedule:
    Monday through Friday 4:00 - 6:00pm
    Saturdays from 9:00 - 11:30am (until the first regatta)
    Location: Bull Run Marina (Clifton)
    Spring Break - Yes, we practice during Spring Break! But unlike past years, the  coaches are giving you a few days off, too! Work hard during the beginning of the week, and enjoy a nice long weekend!  Coaches will announce the Spring Break practice schedule but there will be no practices that Friday or Saturday.

Rowers must dress appropriately for the outdoor weather. See the information below regarding appropriate clothing.
 
Carpool:  If you requested assistance with a carpool, most of these have been emailed to the parents. If you still need help or have any questions regarding carpool, please contact carpool@westfieldcrew.org 

Please review additional tips for athletes and parents: 10 Athlete Survival Tricks(from the athletes themselves!) and Parent Survival 101.

What to Wear

The coaches will review clothing requirements with the team before water practice begins.  If your child is not properly dressed for the weather they may not be allowed on the water.  The following are suggestions for proper attire.

  • Cotton is not a good choice. While it provides warmth when it is dry, it is horrible when wet. Always wear something that dries quickly.
  • Long spandex pants (baggy pants will get ruined by the seats in the boat)
  • These do not have to be an expensive brand name. Walmart carries an inexpensive brand for about $15.00 (other suggestions might be Modells, Target, etc.)
  • Long/short/sleeveless compression shirt: These are great as a base layer when it's cold, and can easily be layered with other clothing for extra warmth. Again, these do not have to be an expensive brand name.
  • Hat, ear muffs or ear-covering head band (essential)
  • Wool Socks (not cotton)
  • A set of extra clothes-this is a water sport and sometimes you get wet. 

And here is some more advice courtesy of the Washington-Lee Crew website:

The best clothing for rowing is soft, stretchy, breathable, and fairly form fitting. Loose shorts can get caught in the slides under the moving seats, so avoid basketball style shorts or warm-ups. Loose tops can get caught in the oar handles, so avoid bulky jackets or sweatshirts.  In general, you should dress as though you are going running in the elements, or Nordic skiing.

Synthetic Fabrics

Synthetic fabrics such as Polypro, Cool Max, Under Armor and similar fabrics are best because they keep you relatively warm even when wet and they dry quickly. You will get wet from perspiration, rain, and splash. The key is that they have synthetic clothing that will keep them warm even when wet.

Layering

Layering is important for keeping warm, and maintaining the right temperature. Your needs will change during a practice depending on exertion and changing conditions. Having the appropriate layers enables you to regulate your insulation and protection. Sometimes a rower may mix 2 out of 3 layers, depending on conditions.

  1. Base layer: Form fitting and intended to wick moisture away from the skin. A long-sleeve Under Armor or similar brand is ideal.  These garments are thin, and similar to base layer garments worn when skiing. Multiple base layers can be worn for added warmth. On colder days, rowers may want to wear tights for leg warmth.
  2. Insulation layer: A synthetic fleece garment worn on colder days where extra insulation is needed. Thicker than the base layer, but not bulky. Polartec or Polarfleece clothing products fall within this category. Some insulation layer fabrics also have wind protection built in.
  3. Wind block and Waterproof Clothing: Having a wind block that breathes helps retain warmth while not getting too hot. Base and insulation layers are generally not designed to block the wind. A Gore-Tex Jacket (Crew Jacket) is designed for this purpose while also being form fitting so that it does not interfere with the oars, and has ventilation panels on the sides for breathing. Other wind blocking clothing can be worn, but ensure that it breathes and is form fitting.

Waterproof clothing is not required for rowing. If you do purchase waterproof clothing, ensure that it is highly breathable. Really waterproof clothing tends not to breathe as well, increasing body heat and sweating, and then holding the perspiration within the clothing instead of letting it evaporate. This can result in you getting too hot, taking off the waterproof clothing, and then getting really chilled.