As coaches, we are looking forward to getting out onto the water, and we know your rowers are too.  In preparation for doing so next week, we would like to remind you of a few things. 
 
SATURDAY AT THE BOATHOUSE IS NOW SUNDAY!!!
Robinson Crew work day is shifted from Saturday to Sunday, Feb 24, 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  Weather looks awful, snow and ice Friday and cold on Saturday.  Volunteers please let Joe Osborne and coaches at osborne@erols.com; ramcrew911@yahoo.com know that you can still make it. We will use this time to prepare the equipment so we can get right to the water Monday. 
 
WEATHER, PRACTICE SCHEDULE and ATTIRE:
The weather for next week is forecast to be cold and spotty in terms of precipitation, etc.  So, we will make a call each day as to whether we will go to the water or whether we will hold practice at the school.  We will try to do so as early as possible in the day (hopefully by1:00pm).  Your rowers will find the information on the white board outside the Athletic Office at the school.  We will try to use our email system to get the word out as fast and efficiently as possible.  Please watch your emails!
 
Because it will be quite cold next week, it is very important that your rowers dress properly.  They should dress in warm layers and should remember that a warm hat is a necessity.  Spandex pants and "under armor" type of long sleeve shirts under their outer layers will be very helpful.  As they get more skilled on the water and add more distance to their practices, they will get warmer and they will want to wear layers so they can adjust appropriately. 
 
LAND TRAINING:
In the first days of practice, there will be a larger number of rowers participating in land training and orientation to what they will need to do on the water.  As they become more skilled, we will be able to get greater percentages of the rowers onto the water.  This is a process and will take some time.  All of the rowers are itching to get out in a boat, and we will make every effort to put as many out as quickly as it is safe to do so.  However, we ask that you remind your rowers that their patience and attitude will be key in this process.  Rowers conducting practice on land will need to be fully participating in the land practice so their conditioning is equivalent to that of those on the water--their commitment will affect boat selection decisions. 
 
BEHAVIOR AT THE BOATHOUSE:
We will continue to remind the team, but when they go to Sandy Run, they represent Robinson and the entire Crew Team.  We share our boathouse with other teams.  The quarters can be crowded.  They need to be respectful of others' property and keep their own bags put in the appropriate location--without strewing their clothes, etc.  Water bottles and clothing, etc. should be labelled as almost everyone will have spandex and Nalgenes in the boathouse.  Other teams' coaches will be trying to communicate---please do not be disruptive. 
 
LANGUAGE:
There is a special emphasis on eliminating profanity from the sport.  The group that governs rowing in northern Virginia has a strict "No Profanity" policy.  They will enforce it and they will seek ways to make an example of a team to drive the point home.  The penalties for this include loss of practice privileges and disqualification of a boat from regattas---they are not bluffing.  Robinson has immense potential as a team this year--we cannot afford to waste it on careless swearing that benefits no one and can only hurt the team. 
 
In the past, a member of our coaching staff heard one rower on a boat use one profane word.  That coach had that entire boat clean and mop down the entire boathouse--we have to take this seriously and we will.  This is your only warning.
 
DRIVERS:
The route to the boathouse passes through residential areas.  The speed limits are marked and are monitored by both county officers as well as the park staff.  The staff of the park monitors the roads and will eject rowers from the park for excessive speeding and/or ban the car from the park for a week+ at a time.  This is a warning to both rowers who drive and parents----the park staff has caught both and dealt with both in the past.  Again, we can't afford to lose practice time for poor driving.  Leave in time to get to practice safely and without excessive speed. 
 
PRACTICE SCHEDULES:
The coaches will inform your rower of when they need to be at the water.  The expectation is that rowers will arrive in time to conduct their warm up and stretching and be ready to promptly get on a boat.  There are many responsibilities that include preparing launches, carrying oars to the dock, etc.  Rowers should participate in warm ups and assist with the equipment--they should not be standing around waiting on others to do the work.  The team needs everyone to help.  If your practice is scheduled to begin at 4:30, please do not arrive at 4:29.  Allow sufficient time to fully complete your warm up and to participate in the equipment preparation. 
 
LATE ARRIVALS AND ABSENCES
Rowers arriving late to practice delay their coach and the other 8 people on their boat.  Please be respectful of your teammates and do NOT be late to practice.  If you know that your rower cannot be at practice, please email the coaches at ramcrew911@yahoo.com by no later than noon that day.  Lineup adjustments affect all of the boats--if your rower is on the first 8 and will be absent, then a rower will need to be pulled from another boat, and that boat will need to pull from another boat, etc.  Please communicate.  We understand that things will come up, but this is a VARSITY sport and practice attendance matters.  If your rower is not in school, they are not eligible to practice that day. 
 
Thank you,
Robinson Crew Coaches