Old Lyme Rowing Association/Blood Street Sculls
Fall Youth Rowing Program Guide for Parents
(September 2009)
Introduction
The fall youth program offers novice, intermediate and advanced rowers the opportunity to further develop their sweep rowing and sculling technique. Youth rowers will compete in traditional “Head style” regattas throughout the Northeast. Generally speaking, participants will be students entering grade 10-12 who have previous experience in the high school varsity or novice crew program. Behavioral expectations include consistent attendance, proper care of boathouse and boats, and respect for teammates and coaches. Occasionally students who are entering grade 9 are accepted into the program if they show the maturity and skills which match the program goals. These students will be accepted to the program at the discretion of the coaches.
Head Racing with Blood Street Sculls
In the spring “sprint” season, boats representing Lyme/Old Lyme High School compete against other school teams on straight 1500 meter courses. In contrast, the fall Head races take place on natural 2-3 mile courses on rivers throughout the Northeast. Boats compete by rowing single file (passing is allowed) on courses that follow the natural contours of the river hosting the event. Unlike the spring program, which is a school sponsored sport, the fall program is considered a “club sport” which must be paid for by the rowers themselves through the Town of Old Lyme Parks & Recreation Department in cooperation with the Old Lyme Rowing Association. The Old Lyme Rowing Association is responsible for recruiting and paying for coaches, equipment maintenance, and the like. The youth rowers will row under the ominous banner of Blood Street Sculls, a reference to the original location of the boathouse on Blood Street in Lyme. Rowing got its start in Old Lyme through the leadership and generosity of Fred Emerson in the early 1960’s. Our boathouse now bears his name.
Coaching
This fall we are very fortunate to have John Laundon, Annie Bill, and Liia Koiv-Haus as our coaching staff. John is a highly accomplished master’s rower, with many rowing national championships to his credit. He is also on the coaching staff of the highly esteemed Craftsbury Sculling Center. Annie and Liia are recent captains of LOLHS. These coaches are tremendous assets, and as such, all youth rowers are expected to treat them with respect.
Sharing Boats with the Masters Program
The fall season also differs from the spring season in that adult “Masters” rowers are active participants. Over 25 women and 15 men regularly ply the waters of RogersLake throughout the spring, summer, and fall. Many of them are former collegiate rowers who compete at a high level. The combination of the youth and masters rowers offers a unique opportunity for camaraderie among the various age groups, with each cheering for the other during the head racing season.
OLRA is quite well equipped, with rowers of all ages sharing the same boats for training and racing. With 40+ youth rowers and 30+ masters rowers competing at the same regattas in the fall, we have to carefully plan the boats that will be rowed in each event. Some regattas will allow for the youth rowers to participate in more than one race at the regatta. Others will not, based upon the number of rowers attending and the race schedule. OLRA/BSS will do everything possible to ensure that everyone is able to compete in at least one race during each regatta. Junior rowers have priority on boats in the spring. The fall is really the only racing season for the master’s rowers, so generally speaking the master’s rowers will have priority in selecting boats for racing in the fall season.
Preparation for Races
At a time indicated by the coaches, youth rowers will report to the boathouse to de-rig and load the boats onto the trailer for transportation to the regatta site. The time commitment should only be 60-90 minutes with a good turnout and good planning. All rowers are also expected to participate with rigging the boats at the regatta site, to assist with de-rigging and loading the boats after the race, and to assist with placing the boats back into the boathouse once the trailer has returned to Old Lyme.
Race Day Food
Youth rowers should plan to take their own food to races as needed. Unlike the spring season, when we often serve food under our tents, the fall season is decidedly more low key. Some of the larger regattas will have vendors that have food for purchase, but it is probably a good idea for the youth rowers to bring along their own food and drink. From time to time parent volunteers will supply some food and drink to share with the team.
Hotel and Transportation Arrangements for Fall Races
Races that take place in Boston (Head of the Charles) and Saratoga Springs (Head of the Fish) will most likely require overnight hotel stays. These locations can be very busy on regatta weekends, so you should plan hotel arrangements well in advance (especially Boston) to find convenient and economical accommodations. From time to time in the past, parent volunteers have reserved blocks of rooms in certain hotels to foster camaraderie among the youth rowers. We welcome parent volunteers who are willing to organize these hotel arrangements.
Parents have the responsibility to provide all transportation to fall races. Unlike the spring season, when the school provides bus transportation to the regatta site, that is not the case in the fall club season. Feel free to arrange carpools if you are not planning to attend the race yourself.
Watching Fall Head Races
You may not get to see your child for all that long while s/he passes you on the race course, but the head racing scene is really a lot of fun. You will be able to enjoy beautiful venues, big crowds, and a large number of vendors selling everything from new boats and equipment to rowing themed shirts. All of the races are great, but the Housatonic, Charles, and Fish bring out the biggest crowds and the largest numbers of vendors.
Fees
As you know, you have been asked to pay for the summer and fall rowing seasons according to the following fee schedule:
Summer (June 29- August 7) $275 ($325 non-resident)
Summer/Fall (June 29-October 30) $375($425 non-resident)
Family Membership(entire year) $625($675 non-resident)
High School Fall Season (Sept 1 - Oct 30) $275 ($325 non-resident). ($100 if an add on to the Summer program)
In addition, all rowers participating in an event must pay trailer fees for that event. These fees will be collected by the coaches or captains. Further, certain rowers and coxswains will be given the responsibility to register for their events online. This usually includes online payment via credit card. Please ensure that your child pays the trailer and registration fees promptly, so those responsible for registration and collecting fees do not have to undergo the frustration of tracking down payment from your child.
Head of the Charles Regatta, Boston, MA
The Head of the Charles Regatta is a world class event that should not be missed. This year we have the good fortune of having three youth boats entered in the Head of the Charles. The demand for entries into this prestigious event is much greater than the supply of available entries. This year, we will be sending one boys’ four (guaranteed entry earned by their strong performance in the race last year) as well as a girls’ 8 and a girls’ double scull (both entries received through the HOCR lottery system). The youth rowers must understand what a wonderful opportunity they have to participate in this event. Many, many rowers are shut out due to the heavy demand. This race should provide all the focus that is necessary for the youth rowers to prepare and train hard throughout the fall season.
Registration for this event is more complicated and is handled by the coaches and parent volunteers. The rowers will be responsible for reimbursing the parent volunteer who registered the boats. The fees are a bit higher for this prestigious event.
Schedule
The expected head racing schedule is as follows:
CoastWeeks, Mystic, CT: September 20th
Head of the Riverfront, Hartford, CT: October 4th
Head of the Housatonic, Shelton, CT: October 10th
Head of the Charles, Boston, MA: October 17-18
Head of the Fish, Saratoga Springs, NY: October 24-25
The Head of the Charles regatta and the Head of the Fish regatta may require early dismissal from school for Friday afternoon practices at the regatta race course. Please consult with the coaching staff for updated plans.
OLRA Website
Please make it a habit to visit the OLRA website at oldlymerowing.org. On the website you will find a great deal of information about OLRA history and the fall youth program. You will also find updated postings, OLRA Board meeting minutes, video training clips of junior rowers, and other important information.
Other Useful Websites
information, classifieds, and more)
body of rowing in the USA)
for regattas)
for regattas)
of the Charles)
of the Fish)
of the Housatonic)
A Note For Novice Rowers
OLRA is very interested in fostering the growth of rowing in the region. OLRA sponsors learn to row programs in conjunction with the OldLymeParks and Rec Department. In addition, high school freshmen are strongly encouraged to come out to row with the high school program in the spring. The coaching of novice rowers is a high priority in the spring high school season. As noted in the introductory comments, the fall season is reserved for more experienced rowers.