FAQ

Q: What if I have no experience?

Not a Problem!  Most athletes who join Spartan Crew have no rowing experience.  Our coaches will provide you with the instruction and training to help prepare you for the Spring Rowing Season.  We encourage all new and returning rowers to participate in the Spartan Crew Winter Conditioning Workouts.  This is not a mandatory training session; however, these workouts provide an exceptional opportunity to get ready for the upcoming rowing season.

Q: Is there a body height or size required for rowing?

No. Rowing can be done by anyone. This is a sport that requires dedication. You will develop strength, endurance, and technique through the crew program. A racing boat, also called a shell, typically consists of four or eight rowers and a coxswain, pronounced "cox'n". The rowers row the boat. The coxswain steers the boat, gives instructions, and is a motivator. The Spartan Crew program offers opportunities for everyone and can help non-athletes become highly trained and competitive through participation in crew.

Q: Are there Tryouts for WSHS Spartan Crew?

No.  The most successful rowers come ready to participate and support their team.  There are no individual stars; this is truly a team sport.  This means not missing practices (without the coach's approval), training hard, following the coach's 

instructions, supporting Team fundraising events, and complying with the registration requirements.

Q: As a club sport, will I still be able to earn a Varsity Letter?

Yes.  Varsity letters are awarded for efforts during the competitive regatta season.  These are presented at our end-of-year award ceremony.  The coaches have developed lettering criteria, and those requirements are listed in the West Springfield Crew Handbook.

Q: How big is the team?

Our most recent year had more than 80 rowers on the roster between the Men's and Women's Teams.

Q: Who are the Novice Liaisons and what do they do?

Spartan Crew Novice Liaisons are volunteer parents of experienced rowers.  The job of the Novice Liaison is to answer questions and provide information for parents of new rowers and coxswains. Rowing is a new world of terminology, practice times, and forms for most novice parents. If you have any questions or can't find the information you need, our Novice Liaisons should be your first contact. Our Novice Liaisons can be contacted at novicereps@spartancrew.org.

Q:  Where does the team practice, and when does the season begin?

Winter Conditioning takes place at WSHS. This typically begins in late October to early November and continues until on-the-water practice begins in late February.  The team meets after school five days a week for about two and a half hours for winter conditioning.

The Spring Spartan Rowing Season begins with on-water practices that take place on the Occoquan River at Sandy Run Regional Park. Sandy Run Regional Park is run by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and is approximately ten miles from the high school. The park has seasonal restrictions for when boats are allowed on the water. The specific date varies each year and will be provided. The on-the-water start date is typically at the end of February. The teams meet at Sandy Run five days a week, with a few Saturday practices before the start of the competitive season.

Q:  How can I get my homework completed between school and practices?

Time management is a key skill learned in a competitive sport. You must learn how to budget and manage your time.  Crew is a demanding sport, but if you plan, manage your time, and devote the necessary time and energy in the right places, you will cope with the obligations of your school and sport.  In the process, you will become a better student and athlete. 

Q:  Is there bus service available to go to and from practice?

No; however, the Team assists in setting up carpools to get the rowers to and from the Sandy Run Rowing Facility during spring practices.  Carpools are formed in late January once the roster has stabilized.

Q:  When and where are the competitions held?

The racing competitions are called regattas and are organized and governed by the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA).  In past years, the local competitive season began at the end of March with the "Polar Bear Regatta" and ended in mid-May with the "Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championship Regatta".  The regattas are held on Saturdays.  The majority of regattas occur at the Sandy Run Rowing Facility on the Occoquan River.  After the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Championship Regatta, which ends the local competitive season, there are two away regattas to cap off the year.  First, the Team takes a three-day trip to Philadelphia, PA, for the Stotesbury Cup Regatta on the Schuylkill River.  Second, qualifying boats (based on final standings from the Virginia Championships) have the opportunity to compete on a national level at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America Championships.

Q:  How much does it cost to join Spartan Rowing?

Membership is comprised of three elements: Booster Fee, Spring Dues, and Fundraising Support.  It is necessary for each crew member and family to vigorously participate in all three areas in order for our sport to run smoothly, efficiently, and ensure growth.  Fees are established by the Board each fall. The fundraising support figure can be raised entirely by the rower (and family members) taking an active part in the many fundraisers held by the team throughout the school calendar year, not just during the spring competitive season.  If you plan to join the Spartan Crew Team, then start participating in our fundraising activities.  

Q:  Why does crew cost so much?

The West Springfield Spartan Crew Team does not receive funds from either the Fairfax County School System or the West Springfield High School Booster Club, like other sports.  It is listed as a "club" sport; however, we follow all rules and regulations of the Virginia High School League (VHSL) and West Springfield High School.  All of the expenses involved for the Team as a whole and each rower must be paid for by the crew members.  Due to the nature of the sport, the majority of the funds collected are used to provide the team with a competent coaching staff and safe, effective equipment.  A smaller portion of operating costs consists of insurance, regatta entry fees, boat storage, administrative expenses, etc.

The commitment of time and energy that is required by our coaching staff is tremendous.  They conduct winter workouts and spring season practices Monday through Friday and attend the regattas, which usually take up most of their Saturdays.  Spartan Crew recognizes that coaches are key in providing an atmosphere that is safe and conducive to the development of a competitive team.

Equipment, including boats, oars, launches (plus motors and gasoline), cox boxes, the boat trailer, etc., must be kept in good working order to ensure the integrity of performance and safety for the rowers.  While rowing is not considered a dangerous sport, rowers do compete in many conditions that could be hazardous if the equipment were not in good working order.  Also, the purchase of equipment is quite expensive. The Equipment page has examples of the equipment we use.

 Q:  What is VASRA?

VASRA stands for Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association.  This is an organization comprised of public and private schools from Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties in Virginia. VASRA sponsors the spring regattas as well as sets forth the governing rules of the member schools. 

"The purpose of the Association is to promote, encourage and support rowing at secondary schools in  the Commonwealth of Virginia and in particular the Northern Virginia area; to provide for communication and coordination amongst its member and associate teams, the Local Organizing Committees, the Crew Council, and the Coaches Committee; and to sponsor and conduct scholastic rowing competitions."