Patriot Crew Team Information and Regulations

As with any organization, guidelines are needed to achieve maximum success.  In addition to the Parkersburg South High School Student-Athlete Handbook, there are additional requirements specific to Patriot Crew for the safety and well-being of the athletes, equipment, and the entire organization.

General Behavior Guidelines

Attendance is mandatory.  Coaches cannot train athletes who are not at practice.  (Refer to the Team Commitment and Fairness Policy)

Injuries to a 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.

Any member of the team who uses mild foul language or exhibits behavior found to be disruptive to the team will be given one warning.  A second offense will result in 10 hills.  A third offense will require a meeting with the rower and their parents/guardians.  Use of the “f” word will be an automatic dismissal from that days practice and parental notification.

Any rower found consuming any illicit drug, alcoholic beverage or tobacco product during conditioning, practice, or regatta will be immediately removed fro the team.  No Exceptions.

Dating between team members will not be discouraged or encouraged, but public display of affection (PDA) between team members during scheduled team activities will not be tolerated.  This will NOT be tolerated in the tents at regattas, on the bus traveling for events, and in hotel rooms.  You will be asked to stop the behavior immediately.

What to Wear and bring to Practice:

Choose workout clothes that allow for freedom of movement without being too baggy. Lycra™, Spandex™ 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. Gloves are not 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

All personal items not needed for practice should be left in a car, at school or one of the lockers provided in the restrooms or changing rooms.  You will need to supply your own lock if you will have valuable items in the locker.  This includes cell phones.  No one should keep their phone with them during practice.  Keep the workout areas and, in general, the boathouse 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.  

Others work hard to make sure you have a nice place to work out – be respectful – treat the boat house as like you are a guest – OVRC does not have to let us use their facility. 

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 OVRC property!!  

We are lucky to have a nice facility practice.  We need to show our appreciation by being the best tenants possible.  Please refer to the posted rules in the boat bay or contact Barrie Thornton or Les Pritchard for further explanations.

 Below are a few additional rules to follow while at OVRC:

1.       Drive slowly.

2.       Park in designated parking area only!

3.       Turn down the car radios.

4.       No one is to be on the premises without a coach or a board member! 

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.

Team Commitment Fairness Policy 

Attendance at all practices and organized functions (such as regattas) for the team are mandatory.   Rowing is a team sport that involves nine people 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 their fellow team members by coming to practice on time and showing up for every practice.  The actual on-water rowing season is short and every practice counts!

ABSENCE FROM PRACTICE:

Any time a rower needs to miss practice for a scheduled appointment or activity, it should be noted on the absence sheet located on the door to the weight room.  If a rower is sick, a phone call to the head coach is required.   

ABSENCE FROM REGATTA:

An excused absence will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

An unexcused absence will result in dismissal from the team without a refund of rowing fees.

TARDINESS TO PRACTICE:

For every minute late to practice a rower will be assigned 1000 meters (i.e. 3 minutes = 3000 meters). 

DISRUPTION IN THE BOAT:

A coxswain, in consultation with the coach, can eject a rower for one day per occurrence.  Coxswains are not immune to this rule.

 Regatta Policies

Participation in any competition begins with equipment loading and ends with the return of the equipment to the boathouse. All team members are required to assist with all aspects of the regatta. This includes:

·         Boat and equipment de-rigging/loading on the trailer will take place after a short practice on the Thursday before the regatta.

·         Travel to the regatta is done as a team.  No student shall operate a motor vehicle for transportation to/during/from any regatta.  Rowers will not travel with parent unless there is a special circumstance.

·         Upon arrival at a regatta, all members shall he responsible for equipment set-up and preparation for racing 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 bus and stay on the bus.  The only exception is to return to the bus to briefly drop something off or to pick something up (i.e., sweatshirt, and water bottle).

·         You are expected to CLEAN UP after yourself.  The Boosters provide you with a your tent site, they are not there to clean up after you.  If you do not clean up your trash, you will be asked to do so before packing up to go home.

·         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.

·         Anyone caught stealing will be sent home, possibly at the parent’s expense, in the case of out of town regattas.  The coaching staff may take further action such as suspension/expulsion from South Crew.  This includes taking items from other teams such as clothing, equipment, flags/banners,  personal belongings.

·         When racing is completed, all equipment will be de-rigged and loaded back onto the trailer for the return trip.

·         Upon arrival at the boathouse, the equipment will be unloaded at the boathouse.

All members are responsible for their personal property and health needs. This shall include extra clothing, team uniform, water bottles, prescription medication, spending money, etc.

Be courteous and respectful of all other crews. When local crews are competing and we do not have a boat in that race, cheer for them – support our local teams.

Overnight travel:

·         Hotel stays are done as a team with rowers assigned to rooms at the coaches discretion. 

·         The team will eat in restaurants chosen by the coaches.  

·         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 hotel. All rules and regulations of the hotel will be strictly adhered to.  Rude, loud and/or obnoxious behavior will not be tolerated and could result in the 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, coaching staff, booster organization, and school.  

·         Doors to hotel rooms are to be closed at the designated “lights out” time of 10 pm and remain closed until the following morning. Coaches will use any necessary means of ensuring all rowers stay in their rooms (i.e. tape on doors).

·         Anyone found to have damaged hotel property will be sent home at the parent’s expense.  Any damages will be billed to the parents of the athletes involved.

 Boat Line-up Selection System

The criteria for seat selection is based on the Coaches’ observation and opinion which includes objective and subjective criteria, including rowing ability, ergometer score, and attitude.

·         Attitude assessment includes supportiveness for other team members, coachability, promptness at workouts, helpfulness in preparing boats for transport, level of complaining, helpfulness in putting away equipment after workouts, and any other factors deemed necessary.

·         Attendance diminished by any absences, excused or unexcused.

·         2,000 m erg test score

·         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.