FAQs
IS EGR CREW A HIGH SCHOOL SPORT?
Although EGR Crew is a sport representing EGR High School, it is managed as a club sport by the EGR Board under the auspices of the EGR High School Athletic Department and the EGR High School Athletic Director. Participants can earn a varsity letter, the team is included in the yearbook, we proudly wear the East ‘E’, we volunteer with the Athletic Boosters and they give grants to the team as they are able. There is a good relationship between the school and the Crew team.
IS THERE A MEN’S TEAM AND A WOMEN’S TEAM?
The men and women practice at different times when they’re on the water. Weight training is combined and both teams compete at the same regattas. There is a lot of overlap and it is essentially one team.
WHAT IS A NOVICE?
Students do not need prior rowing experience to join EGR Crew nor do they have to be a freshman to start. Each year, new rowers learn the sport as “novices” and compete against novices on other teams. After a novice year, rowers move up to JV and Varsity and compete accordingly.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE SEASONS?
Our team is organized around four rowing ‘seasons’ – fall, winter, spring, and summer. Winter and summer training are optional but highly encouraged.
Fall is the start of the new year and when most new rowers join the team, although athletes can definitely join at other times, as well. We compete in the fall and these races are usually longer-length races.
Winter training happens mostly indoors. There’s ‘erg’ training on the rowing machines, weight training, yoga, and some cross training.
The spring season is the more robust season, with races that are shorter in length. While a rower does not need to compete in both seasons to be on the team, the majority of them do.
Training continues throughout the summer with a priority of getting boats out on the water as often as possible. Many rowers say the peaceful, early morning rows are some of their favorite times.
HOW DO I JOIN?
Fall registration typically begins in July and spring registration begins in March. Summer and winter are off-season in terms of racing, but the team does still train together. Please email our head coach about joining during one of these times.
WHAT IS THE COST TO JOIN?
Our team is a self-funded club sport so all fees go towards equipment, coaching salaries, regatta entry fees, and all the other expenses involved in running the team. This Fall 2024 season fees will be $750. The high school asks for a Pay to Play fee from athletes, but our team is exempt from that as we are not funded by the school. In addition to the fees, rowers are required to purchase the team-approved uniforms for race days. Families desiring a payment plan may reach out to our treasurer. EGR Crew is committed to making sure all interested rowers are able to participate. Need-based scholarships are available and you can find out more information by talking to our head coach or treasurer.
DOES MY ROWER NEED TO ATTEND EVERY PRACTICE?
Yes. Their boat can not practice on the water if all rowers are not present so your rower’s absence affects their entire boat. Excused absences include illness, sports-injury/illness-related appointments, mandatory academic events, loss of a family member, religious observances, and college visits, and must be communicated prior to the start of practice (24 hours or ASAP when 24 hours cannot be achieved). For FIRST SEASON students only, other pre-planned events will be excused.
WHAT DOES MY ROWER NEED TO BRING TO PRACTICE?
• Water bottle (they won't be boated without it)
• Socks – the shoes in the boat are for everyone - keep yourself and others clean
• Tennis/Running shoes - for ergs, running, weight room
• Shorts/long pants - need to be relatively tight fitting so doesn't get caught in slide
• Shirts - not overly long and baggy - again so doesn't get caught in slide
• Hat - prevent sunburn and keep eyes safe from water glare. Sun glasses can be added but a hat is more versatile and sunglasses don't prevent sunburn
• Generally appropriate clothing when weather gets colder. Layering. Try to wear a short sleeve shirt, then a long sleeve shirt then a fleece or wind breaker
• NO hooded sweatshirts or front pockets. Sweatshirts in general are made of cotton and get cold and heavy when wet. Oar will get stuck on the front pocket of a sweatshirt or sometimes on windbreaker pockets at the sides. Try to make sure pockets aren't too predominant
• Slides/Cros (optional)
• Sunglasses (optional)
• Pogee's – In the spring (optional)
WHAT SHOULD PARENTS BRING TO REGATTAS?
Here are some ideas of helpful items to have at a regatta: dress in layers, chair, hot beverage cup for coffee from the team tent, binoculars, sunscreen, camera, phone battery, hat, waterproof shoes, heated socks, blanket, toilet paper, raincoat, umbrella, food, & water bottle.
DOES MY ROWER NEED TO BE AT THE REGATTA ALL DAY EVEN THOUGH THEY ONLY HAVE ONE RACE?
Yes. Although they may only be on the water for one race, the team needs them all day for launch & recovery support (at the docks) and for moral support. Parents, however, do not need to be there all day.
DOES MY ROWER NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN MEALS TO REGATTAS?
No. Your dues include breakfast, lunch, beverages and snacks for all day, out of town regattas. We do our best to accommodate food allergies and special diets, but if your rower isn’t comfortable with our ability to do so, please have them pack their own food. The food tent is run by parent volunteers so please sign up to help when the time comes. It’s a fun way to get to know your fellow crew parents.
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