Why Join?

Rowing gets you in shape. With water, land and weight training you will build endurance and muscles.  Rowing will keep you aerobically fit and strong in the spring.  There are no back benchers in crew! Everyone gets to participate.

Colleges recruit students with rowing backgrounds. Crew is a growing sport on college campuses.  Participation in crew looks good on your college applications.  Rowers are scholar athletes!

Eligibility Requirements

Swim Test. In order to row for this team, all rowers must provide proof of his/her swimming ability.  This test will be conducted at the end of January.

Physical Exam. In order to row and be a member of the crew team, each rower must provide a current school year Physical Form. If the rower has already turned in their physical in anticipation of participating in another sport, a copy of the physical is acceptable.

Practices.  Individuals are expected to attend all practices. Remember, when you don't show, eight other people are affected. All rowers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at registration. A Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement will be required for each rower.

Rower Fees 

Rower Fees.  There is an annual rowing fee.  Students will not be allowed to participate in any regatta until the fees are paid in full.

We will make all efforts not to exclude any rower due to financial need. Families with extenuating circumstances should contact either the Booster President or Treasurer prior to the beginning of the season to arrange a reduced fee or payment schedule. All such requests will be maintained in strict confidence.  Contact the Booster President for details.   

Uniforms.  Everyone must buy a Unisuit and polo shirt (khaki bottoms are also part of the uniform and these will be a purchase you make on your own.)

Like rowing fees – uniform costs must be paid or your rower will not compete in the first regatta nor will they receive their uniforms.

*** Important *** If you decide to row, order uniforms and quit – you will be 100% responsible for the costs of those uniforms. 

*** Important *** If you decide to row, order uniforms, pay for uniforms and row fees, and quit after the first race – you will NOT receive any refund on your fees or uniforms, regardless of the reason why you quit. 

You will not receive a refund for any funds raised, uniforms ordered, row fees paid or due – no exceptions.  If you continue to have a student rower account with money due – the Parkersburg South High School will be notified (and you will be notified as well).  This means you cannot receive report cards and if you are a senior it means you will not receive your diploma until your student rower account is settled.***

For practices and warm-ups rowers running shoes, close-fitting but comfortable pants or shorts, polypropylene undershirt, fleece hat, wool socks and a fleece jacket plus the usual tee shirts and sweats are recommended. Rowers may purchase optional team jackets, sweats, gear bags, caps and more from our team clothing coordinator.

Rowers & Parents Obligations

The Patriot Crew Boosters will provide you with ample fundraising opportunities to pay for your 1^st – your rowing fees and if you raise any additional funds 2^nd your uniform fees.  These ‘student account specific’ fundraisers must be complete by the date set to pick up and pay for your uniforms and rowing fees.  You will be notified of what this date will be each season.

Parents need to understand that additional funds are also needed to pay for unexpected expenses and new equipment. These items are not budgeted into rower fees.  These items are referred to as our General Fund and it is important to make contribution to this fund as well as helping keep rower fees to a minimum each season.  Everyone on this team has a responsibility to help the finances of the team and you will be asked to participate in General Fund Fundraisers throughout the season and off-season times.

We are a volunteer organization and ask that each family get involved and join the Patriot Crew Boosters, Inc. We need everyone to do their share of fundraising, help coaches during regattas, help organize and chaperone events and trips, help with the administrative tasks or assist with home regattas.  

Fundraising Support.  Rowers and their parents/guardians will be required to support the fundraising activities of the team. The growth and success of the Patriot Crew team and the Patriot Crew Boosters, Inc. depends greatly on the success of our fundraising activities. Fundraisers are necessary to supplement dues in order to meet yearly expenses inherent to the operation of crew activities. Any funds raised beyond budgeted expenses provide the means to purchase new or replacement equipment. To accomplish this, full participation of all the rowers and their parents is necessary. In order to purchase new equipment for the year, funds must be available in the fall to insure delivery of equipment for use in spring events.  

Volunteer Support.  It would not be possible to conduct regattas or maintain the Patriot Crew team without parent volunteers.  In order to compete in the local home regattas – The Mountaineer Regatta and the Brundage Memorial Regatta, PHS and South are required to provide their fare share of the volunteers that set up and run the local regattas. The regatta jobs include driving launches during the regattas, working the concession stands, directing traffic, etc.  Volunteering at regattas is necessary, but it also can be fun, is a great way to meet other parents and learn more about the sport. Those first to sign up get will get first choice!

More vital than volunteering for regatta jobs is volunteering to be a member of the Patriot Crew Boosters, Inc. As a non-funded varsity sport, the Patriot Crew team receives no financial support from the school or county. It is critical that parents become involved with the boosters to conduct the business and organization needed to allow South Crew coaches and rowers the opportunity to have a competitive sport.

Board meetings are held once a month. There are a variety of jobs that need parents. No special skills are required other than enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute to something very special.