REGATTA PREP
Regattas are what the boat races we compete in are called. We have some regattas that are local and some that we travel to, both in and out of state. Here are a few tips from experienced crew parents if you’re new to the sport!
THE REGATTA EMAIL: If you are a parent or rower, you will receive a detailed email right before the regatta covering timing, boat line-ups, transportation, and much more. Our coaches work to ensure rowers have at least one and usually two chances to compete in each regatta. Line-ups can vary quite a bit based on a host of factors and can change between regattas.
VOLUNTEER: Parents are strongly encouraged to stay for the day and to take a volunteer shift. We need the whole rowing community doing their part to provide our team what they need to eat healthy and focus on the competition.
TRAVEL: We provide a number of great travel opportunities for each rower. The crew team annually participates in regional competitions as well as one in Canada. Historically there are approximately seven regattas in the Spring season. Two occur in the Grand Rapids area and parents/rowers are responsible for getting to these regattas on their own. For the out of town regattas, transportation will be provided for the rowers. Participation in the Midwest, States and St. Catherine's regattas are by invitation, at the decision of the coaches, and not every rower will attend. Additionally, for any overnight regattas, lodging will be provided for the rowers. For more details read our frequently asked travel questions.
PREPARE:
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Parent volunteers and our fundraising efforts supply an amazing food tent for the rowers. The food tent is ONLY for the rowers. Please bring your own snacks and meals. This helps us stretch our budget to cover food for the team for the entire year. There are food trucks at some of the larger regattas.
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Learn more about the sport of rowing, so you can sound smart to your rower and ask specific questions about what they did well!
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Gear and packing is a bit hard for this sport as you can see all kinds of weather in a single regatta. Review our suggested uniform and packing list for both rowers and for parents below.
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Parking is often far from the course, coming in and out even if the race is local, is not really feasible. We don't have many regattas all year, but when they do happen the days are LONG – don’t make plans for the evening because we never know when the rowers will be done, and you’ll be exhausted.
How to Watch a Rowing Race
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Every regatta watching area is different. Once you arrive, stop by the food tent to find out where parents are headed to watch. Look for the FHC flag.
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Depending on space, there is usually a Parent Tent near the food tent. This is a place for parents to hang out, have a potluck lunch, etc. In the mornings, there will be coffee, etc.
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Be aware of equipment! Boats and oars are very long — be cautious of your surroundings. Boats and athletes have the right away. Try to stay off sidewalks when standing, to allow athletes a clear path to move their equipment. "Heads Up" Means Duck!
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After your rower finishes their race, they return their boats to our staging area and then they discuss the race with their coach.
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After that, they’ll return to the food tent area and that’s where you should go to congratulate them.
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At larger regattas, race results are posted on CrewTimer. There are also publicly posted printed results at some regattas as well.
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Rowers need to stay with their team – either at the food tent, getting ready to race, debriefing, or along the shore cheering on the FHC boats. They won’t be able to sit with you and your family (unless you are on the shoreline cheering!)
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Always offer encouraging and congratulatory comments to your kids and other kids on the team. They are working hard!
What Should Rowers Bring to a Regatta?
In December and again in the Spring, the team sells FHC Crew duffle bags. The smaller one is generally big enough for day regattas, but the larger size is better for travel regattas. If you have a new rower on the team, these duffels are a good investment for the next few years. Any uniform related questions should be directed to our uniforms coordinator, Erin Oderkirk, at uniforms@fhccrew.org.
Rower Uniforms
--Novice rowers: FHC Season Crew T-shirt, black shorts (tighter not loose so they don't catch on the boat) and under armour shirt and/or leggings (if it is colder) --Varsity rowers: FHC Crew unisuit (i.e. uni). --Extra socks (2 pair) --Crocs/slides/easy on/off shoes --Sweatshirt (can double as a pillow)
Rower Packing List
--Rain/windproof jacket (FHC splash jackets are sold every season.) --Hat (baseball, sun, or visor) --Gloves/mittens (when not on the water) --Water bottle(s) – the team provides water and Gatorade at the food tent but always good to have a couple of water bottles --Sunglasses (w/ chums attached) --Homework --Other “nice but not necessary to have” things: ----Sunscreen ----Small towel (for sweat or drying off) ----Blanket ----Tape for blisters ----Protein bars ----Portable phone charging bank ----Change of clothes (for when they’re done rowing) ----Deck of cards Make sure rower name is on everything!
What Should Parents Bring to a Regatta?
You can’t trust the weather forecast. Ever! Dress in layers because cold mornings can lead to sweltering afternoons. If you want to show your team spirit check out our Crew Fan store.
DO BRING: --Water/drinks in a water bottle --Coffee or tea in a travel container --Snacks/meals – or heavier snacks to last you through the day (in a cooler) --Binoculars --Folding chairs --Phone/camera --Portable charger --Rain umbrellas --Blankets (for sitting on or for keeping warm) --Mittens --Hat --Sunscreen --Bug spray --Rain gear (poncho, etc.) --Windbreaker-type jacket (it can get very windy by the shore) --Rain boots (some regattas are very muddy) --Book/ knitting/ Sudoku/ something to do --Hand sanitizer/ wipes --Printout of heat schedule (usually linked in email right before regatta) DON'T BRING: --Expectations for perfect weather --COWBELLS (we're serious)
Travel Frequently Asked Questions
Below is a list of some questions that have been asked about travel for the regattas. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact the travel coordinator, Rebecca Achterhof, at travel@fhccrew.org.
Will the students be riding school buses to events? --Transportation is provided by the school for in-state regattas; for out of state regattas, the rowers will ride on coach busses. If there is extra room on the bus for parents? --Seating on the bus is limited. There is no extra seating for parents. Is lodging for overnight regattas arranged for the parents? --Rooms are provided for rowers, coaches and key adult volunteers. If you desire to attend an overnight regatta, you are responsible for finding your own lodging. If by chance there are extra rooms, they will be offered on a first-come basis. Are the fees the same if my rower is not participating in the invite only regattas? --Spring registration fees are based upon total calculated costs which are divided equally among the individual rowers. All rowers will pay a base registration fee. Those that are selected to participate in The Midwest Championships and the St Catherine’s invitational regattas will be required to pay an additional amount to cover an equal share of the costs associated with those regattas.