WESTERVILLE
ROWING CLUB
General Information, Rules and Regulations
Mission:
The Westerville Rowing Club is an amateur athletic institution committed to the promotion of health and excellence through teaching others the sport of rowing. Through an athlete's participation in the sport, we hope to foster personal responsibility, commitment, discipline and teamwork. All qualities of a successful oarsperson!
The Westerville Rowing Club's competitive, interscholastic juniors rowing program is open to both male and female high school students. The club is presently a self-supported entity through dues and the fundraising efforts of team members and a parent support group. A fee of $185 will be assessed each rower during each season of participation for Club dues. Westerville Rowing Club offers both a fall and spring season. The fee helps defray the cost of equipment and administering the club. Additionally, special regatta fees will be assessed each rower to cover regatta expenses. These fees vary depending on number of regattas attended, transportation costs, registration fees, meals and lodging costs.
As a competitive team, the club will operate under similar rules of any such athletic team.
Dedication to the team and a supportive attitude towards teammates is of utmost importance. This dedication and support shall flow from practice to competition to the classroom. All members shall be supportive of the efforts of each and every teammate no matter what skill levels they posses. Though competition for seats is vital and necessary, sportsrnanship and team spirit is expected of all team members regardless of seat or boat assignment. All team line-ups will be solely at the discretion of the coaches.
General:
All athletes must sign the Release
and Waiver form. That includes
a statement that you and your parents certify that you are able to either swim
or tread water sufficiently well should you inadvertently end up in the water
(such as a capsized boat) until help arrives.
Any injury to any rower prior to or during the season will require a
doctor's or parent's written approval before the athlete will be allowed to
resume practices.
No member of the team will be party to the use or consumption of any illicit drug or alcoholic beverage at any time during their tenure as a team member. Failure to comply will result in loss of seat indefinitely and possible expulsion from the team.
Dating between team members will not be discouraged or encouraged but public display of affection between team members during scheduled team activities is forbidden.
What to Wear
and bring to Practice:
Choose workout clothes that allow for freedom of movement without being too baggy. Lycra™, Spandex™ and tight soft cotton workout tights and shorts, shirts and bodysuits are ideal. The tighter fit prevents clothing from catching oar handles or from getting caught in riggers, seat slides and other boat hardware. Freedom of movement is necessary for flexibility to achieve the necessary body positions required for rowing. Do not wear blue jeans or other pants, baggy sweatpants or big, bulky sweatshirts.
Dress in multiple layers of
clothing when cooler weather is expected. During March and early April, rowers should have at least
two-layers for the lower body, plus a good pair of warm socks and three to four
layers for the upper body, including a windbreaker jacket or pullover and wool
cap or ear covering. Generally, no gloves are worn during water practices. Any rower not regarded by the head coach to
have enough warm clothing will be required to erg instead of row. Wear
a good pair of running shoes with good support (not worn out). Running or doing
erg pieces is often time an option when the weather prevents us form going on
the water.
Individual plastic water bottles should be brought to every practice. They should he clearly marked with the athlete's name and should be taken into the boat during water practices. Full-sized thermos jugs are not acceptable since they cannot fit in the confined space of the boat. Water bottles are not to be shared!!!
At the
Boathouse (Practice Site at the JCC family camp):
Park in the grassy area just after you pass through the second gate. Parents or rowers are not to go beyond the third gate (by the large warehouse). Coaches only may proceed towards the boatrack. All personal items not needed for rowing practice should be left in a car, at school or otherwise kept out of the Boathouse area. Keep the Boathouse and surrounding area clean. Put bags (personal items) out of the way, put equipment and materials back in the proper places, throw away any trash into the trash cans.
No horseplay will be tolerated in the Boathouse or the surrounding area. Space is limited and the equipment is expensive. Equipment movement should he handled with the utmost efficiency and highest regard for its value and the safety of other athletes.
Be aware of other crews (stay out of the way and quiet when they are moving equipment. Keep the noise level to a minimum in the boathouse and on the docks, especially when crews are going out. Be quick on the docks (two minute drill) and reserve socializing for other places.
Listen for announcements at the beginning and end of workouts.
Respect and treat the JCC property with respect!! We are lucky to have a place to practice on Hoover Reservoir. We need to show our appreciation by being the best tenants possible! Below are a few simple rules you need to follow while on their property:
1. Drive slowly on camp roads. The roads are narrow and really only one way, so go cautiously!
2. Park in designated parking area only!
3. Turn down the car radios. We do not want the neighbors complaining about us!
4. Stay on the paths at the camp. Please do not walk to the water other than via the paths.
5. No one is to be on the premises without a coach or a board member!
6. No one is to ever go on the ropes course. Immediate dismissal (without a refund) from the team will be the consequence!
On the Water:
No rowers will take any boat onto the water without direct supervision and permission of the coaches. Coxswains must wait for the coaching launch before starting practice from the staging area. Coxswains should watch for hazards in the water, whether floating, fixed or partially submerged. BE ALERT!
Athletes must stay with the boat at all times. Never leave the safety
of the boat even if you are propelled into the water or the boat capsizes. The
boat will sustain you above water indefinitely. The coaching launch will always
be within sight of your crew. If you do go into the water, listen for
instructions from your coxswain or coach and pair up with your closest fellow
rower. Oars also can act as personal floatation devices if a boat capsizes.
Emergencies:
If you are in the water due to a crab, capsized or damaged boat, STAY WITH THE BOAT! Coxswains should immediately signal for help from the coaching launch. Any cuts, bruises or other injuries caused by any part of the equipment should be immediately reported to the coxswain or coach.
Coaches shall he notified immediately of any injuries sustained during practice or as a result of outside activities and of prescribed medication or health problems which will affect personal performance during practice or competition. Any seriously injured rower or coxswain, or one who is in the water, should be removed ASAP. Cold Weather response will include removal from the water, wrapping in a blanket and returning to the nearest shore to call for help. Hot Weather response will include cooling with water, shading the athlete if possible, and returning to the nearest shore to summon help. If the coaching launch becomes disabled and is unable to follow the crews, the nearest launch will assist all crews back to the dock until the problem is corrected.
In all emergency situations, the
coach on hand will
determine the correct procedure.
Attendance at all practices and organized functions (such as regattas) for the club are mandatory. Rowing is a team sport that involves nine rowers per boat. If only one person from the boat is absent or late, the practice for that boat is compromised. Thus we are asking that every rower make a commitment to the their fellow team members by coming to practice on time, paying the fees on time and showing up for every practice. The actual on water rowing season is short lasting approximately 2 months long, and every practice counts!
In an effort to develop consistency and fairness to all rowers for each boat and to the coaches, rules are being implemented to demote rowers and finally cut rowers form the team if they are unable to follow simple rules of conduct, especially with regard to absences and tardiness. Below are the current rules:
ABSENCE FROM PRACTICE:
- 1 absence, forgivable, but you better have a good reason!
- 2 absences, lose your seat
- 3 absences, off the team (no refund)
ABSENCE FROM REGATTA:
- excused absence, lose your seat
- unexcused absence, off the team (no refund)
TARDINESS TO PRACTICE:
- chronic (> than 1/week) lose your seat
- occasional, coaches discretion
TARDINESS IN PAYING CLUB FEES:
- cannot row, go to absence rule
DISRUPTION IN THE BOAT:
- coxswain, in consultation with the coach, can eject a rower for one day per occurrence. Go to the absence rule
- also, coxswains are not immune to this rule…
ABSENCE ACCOMODATION:
- If an entire boat, through democratic means, wishes to accommodate a rower’s other obligations by having an early, late or make up practice, then that is between the rowers and that boat’s coach.
- Absence accommodation should always be discussed in advance of boat selection so that a coach and proposed rowers can make an early decision as to accommodating the anticipated absences.
- Religious Holidays: WRC will accommodate religious holidays to its best ability and consider this an excused absence. Religious holidays are considered occasional (not every Wednesday at 6pm), predictable (annually recurring) and recognizable as a special observance for that religion. Weekly religious observance is not considered a religious holiday.
Special Regatta
Policies:
Participation in any competition begins with equipment loading and ends with the return of the equipment to the boathouse. All team members will be required to assist with all aspects of the regatta. This includes:
· Boat and equipment de-rigging/loading on the trailer before the regatta
· Travel to the regatta as a team. All members will travel together in club sponsored vehicles. No student shall operate a motor vehicle for transportation to/during/from any regatta.
· Upon arrival at a regatta, all members shall he responsible for equipment set-up and preparation for the day’s activities.
·
During the regatta, you are expected to support your
teammates. All rowers shall stay together as a team at the boat set-up area
during the regatta. You are not allowed
to return to the car and stay in the car except if accompanied by a parent. The
only exception is to return to the car to briefly drop something off or to pick
something up (i.e., sweatshirt, and water bottle).
· DO NOT LEAVE THE REGATTA SITE. Departure from the area must be approved by the coaches. Coaches must have knowledge of the whereabouts of all rowers at all times.
· Loading equipment and return travel to the boathouse.
· Unloading/Rigging once back at the boathouse.
· Travel to and from all regattas will be as a team.
Varsity, JV and novice crews will be paired up to help each other with launching and docking.
All members are responsible for their personal property and health needs. This shall include extra clothing, team uniform (jersey and black or navy compression style shorts), water bottles, prescription medication, spending money, etc.
Be courteous and respectful of all other crews. When other local crews are competing (and we do not have a boat in that race), cheer on the local crew.
If an overnight is required:
·
Rowers will travel as a team - be lodged as a team
(sharing rooms as assigned) and eat meals as a team.
· No rower shall venture from the lodging facility alone.
· All rowers will respect the rights and privacy of fellow team members, and other guest of the facility. All rules and regulations of the facility will be strictly adhered to. Rude, loud and/or obnoxious behavior will not be tolerated and could result in loss of seat during the regatta.
· No member of the opposite sex shall occupy a room with the door closed.
· The behavior of each and every team member is a reflection on the entire team and should be considered by each individual prior to participation in any and all activities. A strong and united team will earn the respect due our organization far and above the standings in any one regatta.
· Doors to motel rooms are to be closed at the designated “lights out” time and remain closed until the following morning (5am or later).
Boat Line-up Selection System
Criteria for seat selection is based on the Coaches’ observation and opinion which includes objective and subjective criteria, including a rower's rowing ability, ergometer score, and attitude:
· Assessment of attitude including supportiveness for other team members, coachability, promptness at workout, helpfulness in preparing boats for transport, level of complaining, helpfulness in putting away equipment after workout, attitude at "boat talk", and other factors.
· attendance at workout (diminished by any absence, excused or unexcused) and club fund-raising functions (car washes);
· 2,000 m erg test score, weight-adjusted;
· year in high school (upper classmen given priority when all other factors do not produce a clear advantage of the underclassman).
Attendance at pre-season practice sessions;