To Parents of New Rowers - "Regatta Orientation"

Here are few explanatory notes which might be helpful to parents of rowers in their first season.  If you would like additional information please feel free to call a parent of one of our veteran rowers. Please read our "regatta policy" information also. (We go as a team, we leave as a team, etc.)

Folding chairs: Sam's Club and other stores sell some which fold up easily. These come in a handy canvas tote bag. You have probably seen them. Canvas/metal construction, usually green or blue, very popular these days.

Binoculars: If you have binoculars, you will surely want to bring them. The race courses are rather long. It can be difficult to distinguish which team and what kids are in an approaching race. Binoculars are very helpful in spotting your rower, and getting a good view of them competing.

Camera: Zoom and telephoto lenses are especially helpful if you have them.

Clothing: We have had great weather for our last two seasons. It only rained at one regatta last fall. Since you are outside for most of the day, be prepared for all conditions (bright sun, heat, wind, rain, cold - anything can happen). A change of clothes is a good idea. The day might begin warm, but turn cool, windy or rainy, or visa-versa.

A Book or other reading material might be in order.

You might make yourself a regatta travel kit with such things as a poncho, gloves, hat, towel, pre-moistened towelettes, anti-bacterial soap (unfortunately, we have to endure port-a-johns at most regatta sites), sunscreen, toothbrush, any possible items which you or your rower might need.

Tee Shirt Money: Commemorative tee shirts are sold at each regatta by the host organization. Prices range from $10 to $25 depending on style of shirt and regatta location. Shirts at regattas in Columbus and Dayton seem to cost less than at some other regattas. You'll probably learn that your rower will want one. Other rowing related novelties are also sold at some regattas.

Regattas are a "family" event. The various high school rowing teams are accompanied by parents, sometimes siblings. Since it is a long day, some siblings might not enjoy it as much as others. Some really enjoy it. Each team sets up canopy tents, serves food to its members. When you arrive, just look for the GDRA CREW  tent.

We leave very early in the morning, unless we leave the day before as we do for the regatta in Oak Ridge. Upon arrival at the regatta site, the parents help unload food, set up tent canopies, and get ready for the day. The coaches and rowers unload the boats from the trailer, set the boats on "stretchers", and "rig" the boats for the races. (To rig the boat is to reattach all the necessary hardware to the boat. The hardware must be removed before loading the boats on the trailer.) This can be a hectic time. It might still be dark when we rig. The coaches and rowers could always use a few parents to help out while we load and unload the boats. So feel free to learn how to do it, and pitch it.

You don't need to pack a cooler of food for the day. The Club feeds the rowers; the parents and sibs are welcome to the food, too. We try to make sure the rowers get fed first. There is always plenty of food to go around. We don't serve soda pop, so if you want to bring that, or some bottled water, please do so.

You will appreciate the training your child receives in Crew. Crew teaches great lessons in real life. The kids learn to work together as a team, how to push themselves mentally and physically, sometimes under adverse weather conditions. They learn to be responsible for, and sometimes repair the equipment. (Our eight-person boats, called "shells", cost about $16,000 each. Oars cost $300.00 each!) Crew builds great character and life skills.

You will appreciate the sportsmanship displayed by the various teams. You won't see heckling, haughty egotism, or disrespect from opponents which you might sometimes see in other sports. It is a very clean, healthy sport.

In the fall, we compete in "Head" races, so-called because they take place at the head of a particular river. These races are "timed" races, rather than head-to-head competition. In other words, the boats come down the race course individually and are timed. After all the boats in that category are timed, the winners are determined. The spring regattas are "head-to-head" competition. The race course is usually shorter, and the rowers race in heats against the other teams. Therefore, it is easier to see who is in the lead in the spring regattas.

Where's my kid? Your rower's boat might depart from the dock, and row to the starting line long before he or she actually competes. It takes time to get them lined up (more so in the sprints than in the head races). There are sometimes delays due to wind or other factors. Last spring, in Toledo the starts were delayed in order to allow Freighters (yes, ships) to pass. You just never can tell what the day might bring. You can expect some "dead space" between the various races. That's what the reading materials are for. You might even bring a deck of cards! The race schedule might be altered during a particular regatta.

Safety: As at all our team workouts, safety is foremost. Qualified, experienced officials oversee all Events.

In addition to carrying out the regatta policies, you might want to help out in other ways during the day. As mentioned above, the coaches could always use a few extra hands unloading, loading, rigging, derigging our boats. Help carry oars to the dock for your kid's race, or help the coach get your kid's boat and oars off

the dock quickly after they race. As long as you are carrying oars, rower's shoes, etc. on or off the dock, the race officials won't mind. No spectators or loiterers are permitted near the dock. Help carry your kid's boat once in awhile. Those boats are heavy. If you see they need a hand, jump in. When they come off the water, they may be very tired. Sometimes our coaches compete in races. It would be nice if one of the parents or rowers helped them by carrying their oars to and from the dock. Occasionally, the dock is very congested because of the many boats coming and going. Our rowers might have to wait in line for 10 -15 minutes, holding their boats, before thhey get on the water. It would be nice for parents to keep an eye out to see If the kids could use some help holding the boat while waiting to get on the water. If we parents keep our eyes open, we'll see areas where we can help out here and there.

It may take one or two regattas for you to get a grasp of what is happening. Feel free to ask questions of other parents.

You will find regattas to be fun and relaxing. Let's all work as a team, and do all we can to make the season as successful as possible for our rowers and coaches. We have a great group of rowers, coaches and parents! Enjoy!