Hello Team,
The season has started and there is lots of topics here so be sure to read all the way through.
Basic Information - I have three ways I like to try to disseminate information to you.
1.Website Please bookmark and check back often. Be sure to hit refresh so that you get the latest info.
2.Email This is the important info you should know soon. I also post past email on the website.
3.Private Facebook Page We have a public page for "Humboldt Bay Rowing Association" (definitely "like" this one), but the important one for the Juniors is "Humboldt Junior Crew 2016-2017." You will need to type it in and ask to join. I will let you in. This page is great for sharing news articles and videos pertaining to our team. I also like to use it for race day updates.
Membership Forms
I have attached a copy of the membership forms. Please have these signed and returned to me as soon as possible.
USRowing Waiver
There is an online version of the waiver and a paper version. Both need to be filled out. Instructions for the online version are on the membership form and I have attached a paper copy of the USRowing waiver here. Please return the paper copy to me.
The paper copy now has a photo release section to it. Please note that I also like to post photos of the team on our website and our facebook pages as well as send them to the local papers for publishing. If you would prefer that your rowers photos not be posted please let me know and I will do my best to keep them out of the pictures.
Fees and Billing
This season we are working to improve our electronic billing to make sure it happens in a more timely manner but for now the best way to pay dues and regatta fees is by dropping a check into the box by the door of the boathouse. If your are making monthly payments for dues the first due date is January 10th.
Regatta fees are due one week after we post them. Each regatta has an approximate cost listed on the specific regatta info page found on our website to give you a heads up of what you will owe.
Rowers will not be permitted to race if they are not up to date on their payments. This is very important to us. We have not followed up on this in the past but will be doing that this season. If you are working on paying off a previous season please talk to us if you have not done so already. We are happy to work with you on a payment plan.
Cassie Nordstrand is the head of the juniors parent group and is the one to talk to about any billing questions: ,707/268-8842
Volunteering
This program only exists through volunteer work. Even our coaches are mostly volunteer with a small stipend to help them cover the time thehave to take out of work to help the team. We ask that each rowers family volunteer 10 hours of your time to help the team out. We have some excellent help from parents who have given up, much, much more then 10 hours and we really appreciate that. Below is a list of ways we need help. Please email me if you would like to help out with something.
Driving to regatta's - we always need drivers.
Fundraising - Jennifer Johnston is currently leading that charge and doing a fantastic job but needs help. Please contact her at if you can help with this.
Recruiting - The best way to recruit for the juniors team is to get parents interested. I need a group of parents who are willing to talk to other parents about how great our program is. I also need some people to help organize recruiting events like going to middle schools and sharing our sport. I am happy to do the talking but I need help organizing it.
Boathouse Work - I need a group to paint our boathouse this spring (when the rain slows or stops), there are some boats outside that need cleaning so we can sell them, It would be great to have a team of parents working on finding a way to help make our boathouse permanent (we don't currently own the land we are sitting on) and on making it bigger. Lots to do in this area. Let me know if you are interested in anything.
Home Regatta - I am always looking for volunteers to help run our home regatta's
Regatta Planning - I have a fantastic group of parents helping to plan regattas but we are always looking for new parents to keep the ball rolling with ride organization, hotel planning, and food planning.
Upcoming Regattas
The list of regattas and events can be found on the website. More info about the regattas (schedule, boat assignments, hotel and driver info...) can be found by clicking on each regatta.
Next up is the Indoor Rowing Championships. The date changed on this one. It is January 29th and is totally optional. It is done on ergometers in a big gym with big screens showing where everyone is. Look up Crash B's on the internet to see what it is all about. This is good for those who want to really challenge themselves on the rowing machine. It is a long drive for a 7 minute event so you really have to be committed, but it can be a lot of fun. Please email me if you want to go to this one.
All other regattas have a sign up form. For those that want to race I would like that you go to all of the races up to the Regional Championships (More about that one later). It is more fun when the rowers can race consistent boat line ups and the rowers learn from race to race. Shamrock and Regional's are the exception because they are a little different. But do try to sign up for the rest of them.SIgn up here on our new sign up sheet created by Fiona Murphy. I will also post a link on the website. Please sign up to all the regattas you want to go to as soon as possible. Hotel and schedule planning has already started and I will cut off signups as we get closer to the start of the racing season.
Unisuits
Novice rowers have the option of rowing in unisuits or our racing T-shirts.
Varsity rowers race with the unisuits. I will be ordering those soon. If you want one please use the forms attached below to take your measurements and get them back to me. I will be making our order as soon as I can so don't delay! They cost about $110.00 and I tend to order them once a year to try to keep costs down by ordering bulk. I will have exact cost soon and time frame soon. I will post more info about unisuits on the web.
Thanks everyone for you time. I am looking forward to a great season.
Scott Gibson
Humboldt Bay Rowing Association
Head Coach
707-845-4752