Our rowing season doesn’t start until February 22^nd; however, there are two indoor rowing competitions coming up soon that represent good preseason opportunities. We are out-of-season, so participation is voluntary, but I do encourage available teammates to take part to get a preview of the local competition. Our coaches will be there to support any Stuart entry.

On-line registration for Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints (Jan 30th) closes Sunday, January 24^th at 11:59PM. More information about the erg sprints and a registration link can be found at http://ergsprints.com/.

For those who can’t make the Mid-Atlantic event, Stuart Crew has been invited to participate in the Prince William Rowing Club Erg Sprints (Feb 13^th). This is a smaller, free event held in Woodbridge. We had a great turnout at this event last year and I hope we can do the same this year. Click to see photos and videos from last year.

I’ll take care of registration for PWRC—let me know by email or during conditioning if you plan to participate. Those who row 1500m or 2000m during either of the erg sprints will get credit for a weekly erg test.  Note there will be mixed relays and parent-child events again this year—we’d be glad to work with any parent who wants to give the erg a try and compete with their son or daughter.

Please let me know if you have questions.

Coach Mike

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PWRC Erg Sprints Info

The 13th Annual Prince William Rowing Club’s (PWRC) High School ERG Sprints will take place on Saturday, 13 February 2016 at the Gold’s Gym in Dillingham Square shopping center. Same-day event registration will open at 1 PM with the competition running from 2 to 6 PM.

Schools invited to participate: Forest Park, Gar-Field, Hylton, Potomac, Woodbridge, South County and JEB Stuart

Purpose:  The purpose of this event is to support local High School rowing programs by giving coaches feedback on their athletes’ skills and to provide an opportunity for athletes to demonstrate that they are ready for the water after the long winter conditioning season. Of course, taking home medals is a great way to start the rowing season.

Tentative Schedule of Events:

Registration:  As in past years, we are asking coaches to pre-register their athletes. We will offer same-day registration, but we prefer to have the heat sheets built before the competition.

• Entries:  Each athlete may enter a maximum of one individual event and two relay races. Coxswain races are only for coxswains who did not row (either sweep or sculling) the preceding year. Composite teams (i.e. rowers from two or more schools) are allowed for relay races, and can be arranged on race day with late entries allowed.
• Ages of athletes will be as of 13 Feb 15, even if we have to postpone for a snow day.
• Lightweights. We will not weigh athletes at the event; just specify whether they are “lightweight” or not. Weight limits are 135 pounds for LW women, and 155 pounds for LW men, as of race day. It will be the coaches’ responsibility to ensure rowers are at or below the weight limit for lightweight events. If a rower is overweight, the coach should change that rower to an appropriate open weight event on race day.

Rules:

1.   Safety is our top priority. If an athlete has a health issue, inform the PWRC staff who are stationed on the race floor before their race so they can better respond if an emergency arises. Athletes should be encouraged to not row if they are not feeling up to it.

2.   Waivers: All athletes must sign a US Rowing waiver and have it available at check-in.  Minors (under 18) must have a parent or guardian’s signature. No exceptions. Coaches are encouraged to collect these waivers and turn them in for their school.

3.   Host: This event is hosted by the PWRC at no cost to the athletes or schools.

4.   Schedule: Event times are approximate and the schedule is subject to change. Rowers and coaches must allow sufficient time in advance of the scheduled event to accommodate any adjustments in timing that may be required.

5.   Warm up: ERGs will be available. All athletes are encouraged to warm-up prior to their event(s).

6.   Feedback for Coaches: PWRC will use “Venue Race Application” to help run the races and to gather data on the individual events.  General data from the races will be posted at the event. A chart for each rower will be made available to the appropriate coach from that rower’s school.

7.   Observers: All participants and observers must stay in the designated observation areas when not competing. Stay off Gold’s equipment.

8.   Medals will be awarded to first place, second place (minimum of 3 participants), and third place (minimum of 5 participants).

9.   Lightweight events are conducted on the HONOR SYSTEM; 135 lbs for women athletes and 155 lbs for male athletes

10. Ages are determined as of 13 February 2015

11. Number of events: Participates my enter a maximum of 1 individual event and up to 2 relays

12. Mixed Relay: Mixed relay teams may be made up of High School rowers or coxswains from a single school or from more than one school (e.g., composite team). Relay entries can be arranged on race day. We will not collect stroke-level data for relay events.

13.  Coxswain races are only for coxswains who did not row last season

14.  Race Coxswains. Rowers may have one coxswain standing behind them; well clear of other rowers

15.  Parent/Child Event! We will end our competition with a new 500 m Parent/Child relay (250 m/ea). All relay teams will compete together, but awards will be given to the top finishers for the following categories: Mother/Son, Mother/Daughter, Father/Son, and Father/Daughter.