FALL 2014/SPRING 2015 HANDBOOK

Table of Contents

Welcome3

AW Crew Board & Standing Committees4

Committee & Chair Guidelines5

AW Crew in a “Nut Shell”8

A Brief History of Rowing12

The Art & Sport of Rowing13

Glossary of Rowing Terms15

AW Crew Code of Conduct & Discipline Policy19

Rowers Responsibilities24

Team Captain Responsibilities26

Parent Responsibilities27

General Regatta Information29

Bylaws of AW Crew Club Parents Assoc.32

Severe Weather Policy37

Coaching Staff38

Coaches Guidelines & Rules39

TRC Rowing Club41

Welcome

Welcome to the Anthony Wayne Crew Club Parents Association, Inc. The purpose of this handbook is to provide all rowers and their parents with information regarding the club and the sport of rowing. It provides a description of what the rowers and parents can expect and what is expected of them. Please keep this handbook in a safe place as it provides a great deal of important information that we hope you will refer to often. Supplements will be provided as needed.
Anthony Wayne Crew Board & Standing Committees

Officers:

PresidentGretchen Marks

Vice PresidentAndrea Wilder

Secretary

TreasurerDave Jernas

Trustees:

Ken Kuhlman Chris Marks

Ellie SeldersRob Burkett

Kris King

Standing Committees:

Travel Coordinator – Christine Boyle

AW School Advisor/Liaison -

Communications Chair –

Equipment Trailer –

Food Coordinator –

Fundraising Chair – Rob Burkett/Kris King

Photo Coordinator – Paula Westmeyer

Recruitment –Ellie Selders

Toledo Rowing Club Liaison –

Uniforms/Spirit Wear – Chris Marks

Website Coordinator –

Work Hours Coordinator (Opt-In) –

COMMITTEE and CHAIR GUIDELINES

Of the Anthony Wayne Crew Club Parents Association, Inc.

Committees and Chair-people will be formed and dissolved as needed by the AWCCPA Board. Committees and Chairs will be assigned a specific purpose and be expected to report to the parent club at large at regular monthly meetings. Each committee will be responsible for electing their own chairperson unless one is appointed by the Board. Each Committee member that incurs expenses reimbursable by the club must keep accurate records of the expense(s) and submit receipts to the Treasurer on a timely basis.

Equipment Trailer Committee:

Supervised by any Board Member

  1. Establish schedule for transportation of equipment trailer
  2. Ensure propane for regattas
  3. Ensure proper maintenance, cleaning and storage of equipment trailer

Travel Committee:

Supervised by any Board Member

  1. Secure, at the earliest possible time, a schedule of regattas to facilitate travel arrangements.
  2. Block hotel rooms as needed.

Fundraising Committee:

Supervised by the Treasurer

  1. Develop methods of fund raising.
  2. Coordinate the Champions of fund raising events.
  3. Appoint a Work Hours Coordinator to track mandatory volunteer responsibilities.

Publicity Committee:

Supervised by any Board Member

  1. Develop a plan to promote the visibility of the A.W. Crew Club.
  2. Work with news media.
  3. Work with Fundraising Committee to publicize fundraising events.

A.W.CrewClubSchool Advisory Committee:

Supervised by any Board member

  1. KeepAnthonyWayneHigh School current on activities of the Crew Club.
  2. Supply an advisor for introductory meetings for prospective rowers.
  3. Make announcements before and after regattas.
  4. Serve as liaison with Athletic Advisor and School Board.

Food Chairman:

Supervised by any Board member

  1. Develop regatta food menu and provide list for all parents/guardians.
  2. Plan and supply main menu for each regatta.
  3. Purchase food/supplies for regattas, food trailer.

Communications Chairman:

  1. Maintain an up-to-date list of rowers and their phone numbers, as well as other crucial numbers (the boathouse, etc.).
  2. Contact captains to make calls for emergency meetings, cancellations, and last minute changes.
  3. Email rowers/parents of upcoming meetings, schedules, events.
  4. Assist the Secretary, Travel and Trailer Chairman, and other committees in their communications with rowers and parents.
  5. Work with coaches to communicate with rowers.
  6. Sends regatta directions to all families.
  7. Provides hotel information to all families as outlined by the Travel Coordinator.

Crew Wear/Uniform Chairman:

  1. Maintain and update uniform vendor and crew wear gear.
  2. Provide order forms for uniforms to rowers/parents as earliest possible time in order to order and receive them before the first regatta.
  3. Place uniform orders and deliver to appropriate person.
  4. Collect payment for items ordered and pass on to treasurer.

AW Crew Club in a "NUT SHELL"

Self supporting club sport established in 1998

Requires a physical and annual swim test

Works all muscle groups - mental and physical endurance

Important - teamwork and communication

Seasons - rowers may participate in other sports and row only one of the seasons if they prefer.

Fall Season

Winter Training (optional)

Spring Season

Summer Conditioning (optional)

We are members of the Toledo Rowing Club and recognized by Midwest Scholastic Rowing and US Rowing

Regattas - Compete in races which are called regattas

5 to 7 per season

Blanket/Online/Paperwaivers must be completed prior to participation – some regattas require an additional waiver, Communications Chair will notify parents and rowers if an additional waiver is required.

Venues - locations are lakes, rivers and reservoirs

Some overnight travel possible

Travel committee creates lists of recommended hotels and directions

Parents need to make their own reservations

Pay close attention to deadlines for reservations of blocked rooms

No formal transportation

Make own carpool arrangements, a contact list is provided. Please note Novice and Varsity practice times may not be the same.

Rowers may not drive to regattas but can drive to practices.

Possible caravans to regattas, can be arranged by any Parent.

Must be on time - a great deal of preparation is needed prior to putting boats in water, set up time is determined by the Coaches prior to each regatta .

Food provided for all rowers and family in attendance

Main dish is provided

All families contribute - Specific family contribution by regatta distributed by Food Chair prior to the first regatta.

Bring your own beverage

Food must be sent with rower if the parents are not attending

Club Equipment Trailer

We have a trailer with camp supplies (tents, tables, cook ware, stoves, etc…)

If you are willing to tow equipment trailer or questions see Contact Equipment Trailer Chair.

Parent Responsibilities

Complete forms and required paperwork (Conduct and Discipline Policy, sports physical on file with school, rower information/contact sheet, TRC waiver, uniform order, US Rowing Release for each regatta)

Attend monthly meetings

Parents meet once a month, usually on the first Monday of each month, the time will be announced prior to each meeting. Meetings are typically held eitherat the Waterville Library orHS Media Center.

Board meets at one hour prior to the general meeting

Serve on a Committee (travel, fundraising, food, publicity, communications, etc…)

Fund Raise

Provide transportation to and from practice and regattas or arrange car pools. ROWERS ARE NOT TO DRIVE THEMSELVES TO REGATTAS!!

Have fun!

Practice - 4-5 days a week at the discretion of the Coaches at the Toledo Rowing Club Boathouse, downtown Toledo in International Park.

TRC Waiver - new one completed each season

Rower will not be allowed to remain at the boathouse if not completed

Boat house practice is usually from 3:30 - 5:30 Varsity and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Novice. Practice times are subject to change depending on the size of the team and the coaches discretion. The coach may also decide to combine the two practices into one for all rowers (Varsity and Novice).

Uniforms - maintained by individual rowers

Three pieces - Tank, shorts, and long sleeve tee

Heavy weight Dry Tech/Lycra fabric – maximum comfort: soft feel of cotton, stretch of lycra, quick drying, snug fit so will not catch on equipment

Custom order 6 weeks – pay close attention to order deadlines – questions see Uniform Chair.

Spirit Wear – available for all rowers and family members

Recommended – tee shirt or hoodie for Friday school spirit days

Questions – see Uniform Chair

Fees

$350 per rowerfall season and $400 per rower spring season for those electing to participate in a minimum level of fundraising, $700 for families electing not to participate in fundraising. Family discounts for two or more rowers are available.

Payment plans available – questions contact the Treasurer.

Fees cover a portion of the following - Toledo Rowing Club Dues (TRC $55), coach & assistant coach salary, insurance, boat maintenance, boat storage, US Rowing & Midwest Scholastic Team Membership, regatta entry fees, regatta food, regatta travel expenses

Fund Raising

All families are highly encouraged to participate in general fundraising because that is how boats are purchased and maintained to keep the team competitive. Some families may participate in Mudhens/Walleye “Opt-In” which is separate from general fundraising, so plan on helping keep our team strong.

Crew Handbooks – a binder or folder with lots of important information

Keep in safe place

Supplements will be issued as needed (regatta schedule, contact list, etc…)

Questions please contact the Secretary

Communication

Main communication is viaEmail - check often

Questions contact the Communications Chair

Important Websites

AW Crew Club Website -

Toledo Rowing Club Website -

Regatta Central Website -

A Brief History of Rowing

Rowing is one of the oldest sports in existence today. But, as with many sports, it did not originate as a sport, but as a practical means of transportation on the water. Most ancient civilizations that lived near the northern and mid-latitude oceans of the world used rowing to initiate and expand trade and for some to engage in war. Victory usually came to those with the fastest and most maneuverable boats. The Vikings are well known for their oar-powered seamanship. Their largest warships, the dragon-ships known as drakkars, often required 60 rowers. Competitive rowing undoubtedly started much earlier, probably whenever two boats with spirited captains vied for speed supremacy of local waters along trade routes. Over 2,000 years ago, between 30 and 10 B.C., races between oared galleys were common in Egypt and Rome. It was not until the 1700s, however, that such challenges became popular as a sport among ordinary citizens. This occurred in England, along the ThamesRiver, where boatman would race long barges. The oldest documented sport-rowing contest is the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race, which has been held annually on the Thames since 1715. In 1829 the annual rivalry of the Oxford-Cambridge race was initiated on the Thames, followed shortly by the Henley Royal Regatta in 1839. Closer to home, the Yale-Harvard race in 1852 on the Charles River in Boston was the first intercollegiate event of any kind in America. Competitive rowing was part of the original Olympic Games first held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.

The Art and Sport of Rowing

At first impression, rowing appears to be a fairly simple activity. The rowers get in a long and skinny boat, put out their oar and row, hopefully all in unison. With experience crews, the boat moves smoothly and quickly through the water. There is a rhythmic often poetic cadence of motion as the rowers lean forward for the catch, drive through the stroke, recover, and then repeat the pattern. The coxswain calls out instructions to keep the boat on track and preferably ahead of any competitors. The same basic motions are also used by novice rowers, but with the subtle and occasionally not so subtle difference. To the careful observer, the novice boat may wobble more from side to side, its rowers’ strokes may not be a synchronized, the blades of the oars may cause a lot of splashing, the path along the course may be more snake like and the coxswain much more vocal. Occasionally a rower may “catch a crab” and literally be ejected from the boat by the oar if he/she is not quick enough to duck or force the blade out of the water. Rowing is truly as much art as it is sport.

For the novice rower and parents understanding what rowing is all about first requires learning a new language, fortunately it is in English.

The Boat (Shell)

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. Most shells today are made of composite materials such as carbon fiber, fiberglass, or kevlar. There are two types of boats or shells used in rowing, sweep and sculling. In sweep rowing each rower handles a single oar and in sculling a rower uses two oars. The subtypes of rowing shells are classified according to the number of rowers in the shell and if the shell is equipped for a coxswain + has a coxswain and x does not. For example: 1 (single), 2 (pair/double), 4, or 8. Our boats would look like this: 4+, 8+

Each seat in the boat is numbered from the bow (front) to the stern (rear). Each rower has his back to the direction the shell is moving and power is generated using a blended sequence of the rower's legs, back and arms. The rower sits on a sliding seat with wheels on a track called the slide.

BowStern

The Rowing Stroke

The rowing stroke is a precise movement. In one fluid motion, a rower uses their legs, back, and arms to generate power. Perfecting the stroke requires practice, dedication, and more practice. The stroke begins with the placing of the oar in the water and ends when the oar has reemerged and is poised to begin another cycle. A good technique is based on the work of the legs to create most of the total power.

The rowing stroke can be broken down into individual components or phases: the catch, drive, finish (or release), and the recovery. These phases must flow into each other, producing a continuous and fluid movement. The catch is the beginning of the stroke when blade enters the water. The rower is fully compressed (knees bent, arms reaching forward) and the seat is forward on the slide. The blade is fully “squared” (perpendicular) to the water at this time. The drive is the part of the stroke cycle where the rower applies power to the oar and pulls it through the water. This consists primarily of the leg drive, then straightening the back, and finally pulling in the arms. At the finish the rower’s legs are straight and the hands have finished pulling the oar into the body. The rower is leaning back and pushing down on the oar handle to pull it out of the water. When the blade comes out of the water it is immediately feathered (turned so it is parallel to water). In recovery the rower leans forward into an upright positions and moves slowly back on the slide towards the catch.

Glossary of Rowing Terms:

Bow: the front section of the shell. It is also used as the name of the person sitting nearest to the bow.

Buoy: A floating marker that is used to lay out a course, usually look like big red, orange or yellow balloons.

Catch: One of the four stroke phases - The moment the blade first enters the water

Coxswain: Person who steers the shell and is the on-the-water coach for the crew using a microphone system (Cox box).

Crab: A stroke that goes bad. The oar blade slices the water at an angle and gets caught under the surface. The blade is not fully feathered before leaving the water. This results in the blade being stuck in the water, severely slowing the boat down and throwing off the set. This term is from the claim that “a crab grabbed the blade and wouldn’t let go.” Crab is also used to describe when a rower’s blade jams in the water and he/she finds it impossible to get the oar out of the water at the end of the pull-through.

Crew: The term crew is used in American schools and colleges to designate the sport of rowing. When outside of the academic sphere, then the sport is known as rowing.

Double: a two person shell, symbol is 2x

Drive: One of the four stroke phases - the part of the rowing cycle where the rower applies power to the buried blade

Eight: A shell with eight rowers and a coxswain. Symbol is 8+

Erg(ometer): Rowers call it an "erg." It's a rowing machine that closely approximates the actual rowing motion. Used for training and testing

Finish: One of the four stroke phases - the oar blade leaving the water at the end of a stroke

Foot Stretcher: where the rower places their feet, it consists of two foot rests with shoes bolted on

Four: A shell with four rowers and a coxswain. Symbol is 4+

Full pressure: the top level of exertion of which a rower is capable

Gunwale: the top edge of the boat’s die, pronounced “gunnel”

Head Races: are typically held in the fall on a 3000 – 6000 meter racecourse and the boats race against the clock. The boats are stagger-started and the boat with the fastest time is the winner. The courses often have turns and bends and take 15 – 25 minutes to complete.

Junior: Under 19 years old

Lightweight: Refers to the rowers, not the boats; there is a maximum weight for each rower in a lightweight event
Masters: 27 years and older

Novice: a rower with less than two seasons of experience (similar to JV)

Oar: Used to drive the boat forward: rowers do not use paddles

Oarlock: a U-shaped swiveldevice that holds the oar at the end of the rigger

Port: the left side of the shell when looking at the bow. Oars on the port side of a standard rigged boat are 2, 4, 6, and stroke (8)