+BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 1 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB

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1 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 1 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB Table of Contents page BRC Definition... 3 Who does BRC serve?... 3 Where is BRC?... 3 Do I need to volunteer?... 3 Want to learn more?... 3 BRC Programs... 3 What are the age requirements?... 3 What is sweep rowing?... 3 What is a sweep novice?... 3 What is a sweep varsity?... 3 Who is eligible to row Novice versus Varsity in sweep events?... 3 When are practices held?... 4 When are practices cancelled?... 4 What is Sculling?... 4 What are BRC's Seasons?... 4 Are practices optional?... 4 Registration... 4 How do I enroll in a BRC program?... 4 Is there a trial membership?... 4 What is the cost, and any fundraising obligation?... 5 What is the refund policy?... 5 Is there a swim test?... 5 Is there a roster available?... 5 Land Parent... 5 What is a Land Parent?... 5 What resources are available to the Land Parent?... 6 How often do I need to volunteer to be a Land Parent?... 6 Clothing & Uniforms... 6 What should rowers wear?... 6 What uniforms are required?... 6 What is a Racing T-Shirt, Tech Shirt, and Unisuit?... 6 How to order uniforms?... 6 Donate!... 7 More uniform questions?... 7 Rowing Terms... 7 What is a coxswain?... 7 Shells and Sculls... 7 Oars... 7 Rigging... 7 Seat & Stroke... 7 Regattas for Sweep Rowers... 7 Are regattas optional?... 7 What if a conflict comes up?... 8 Which regattas are entered and when are they held?... 8 What is a line up?... 8 Do all rowers compete?... 8 How do I register for a regatta?... 8 What is a waiver?... 8 How to travel there?... 8 Where to stay?... 8 What is a Hospitality Tent?... 8

2 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 2 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB What about food for regattas?... 9 Can parents share the food at the Hospitality Tent?... 9 What should I bring to a regatta?... 9 What else is there to do?... 9 What happens if my child gets sick or injured?... 9 Does my child have to stay all day at a regatta?... 9 Can I bring my kid home myself?... 9 Why do they need to go to the boathouse afterwards?... 9 How long do regattas last?... 9 What is a Head Race? What is a Sprint? Where can I find out more about the sport of rowing?... 10

3 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 3 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB BRC Definition Who does BRC serve? Begun in 1998, BRC serves middle school and high school youth from Brighton, NY and neighboring districts without rowing programs. Our focus is to coach beginning rowers and develop each rower's potential. We offer instructional programs in both sweep and sculling. Where is BRC? BRC's boathouse is located in Genesee Valley Park, past the pool-skating rink-baseball fields, at the Genesee Waterways Center, Elmwood Avenue, NY Transportation to and from practice is each family s responsibility. Many families organize carpools to share the burden. Ask any staff member for access to our online password-protected roster. Do I need to volunteer? To keep costs down, each rower's parent(s) are required to take a role in supporting the club. A volunteer coordinator will attempt to match your skills and interests with the needs of the club. Examples of Committees are Regattas, Food, Recruitment, Publicity, Transportation, Safety, Boathouse, Fundraising Examples of volunteer tasks are food purchase & prep, land practice supervision, regatta chaperoning, registering, treasurer, equipment For a complete list, browse to Want to learn more? Visit our website BRC Programs What are the age requirements? Modified rowing targets 6th through 8th graders; High School rowing targets 9th through 12 th grade. Some crossover is possible for 8 th and 9 th graders, depending on interest and ability. Crossover decisions are made by the Program Director in consultation with the coaches. What is sweep rowing? In sweep rowing, each rower has one oar. There are either four or eight rowers, plus a coxswain in the boat. Sweep rowers typically train to favor the right (starboard) or left (port) oar. The coxswain steers the boat with cables attached to a small rudder. What is a sweep novice? Regardless of age, every BRC sweep rower begins as a novice. What is a sweep varsity? Regardless of merit, novice sweep rowers who have completed at least one BRC season are automatically promoted to varsity upon registering for any season in a subsequent scholastic year. Who is eligible to row Novice versus Varsity in sweep events? Most regattas restrict novice sweep events to rowers who have not competed in a sweep event during any previous academic year. Novices may row in Varsity events at the discretion of coaches.

4 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 4 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB When are practices held? The sweep rowers practice five days per week, 2 hours per day during fall and late spring. The emphasis is instructional, as well as competitive. During the competitive season, BRC travels on the weekends to area regattas. Spring season starts in January with cardio conditioning M/W/F at the BCSD Administration building on Monroe Ave. during the months of Jan/Feb/March. In addition, participants are expected to strength train on two alternate days of the week at the gym of their choice. Modified rowing practices are held twice per week with the principle emphasis on instruction and technique. Modified rowers participate in a demonstration event but, in order to maintain their novice status, do not compete in regattas. We encourage modified rowers to attend regattas and cheer on the BRC teams. When are practices cancelled? Practices are rarely cancelled. We row in any weather except lightning. Cancelled practices will be communicated by text message and social media. Note that practices will be held on conference days and holidays. Anyone with a practice conflict due to a religious observance should communicate that conflict with their coach well in advance. What is Sculling? In sculling, each rower has two oars. Sculling can be done in a single, double, or quad shell. Sculling does not use coxswains, instead the rowers steer the boat by making small adjustments to the pull of their oars. One rower looks backwards, over their shoulder, to see the course ahead. "Modified" sculling indicates BRC's program welcomes all who apply, does not cut or rank rowers, and is not as physically intense as its sweep program. BRC is the only local club that offers a sculling program to youth. What are BRC's Seasons? Fall: Sweep starts late August. Scullers start early September. All finish early November. Spring: Sweep starts the Monday after the December/Jan. Holiday Recess. It combines three months of strength training and aerobic conditioning with rowing on the river beginning in late March. Scullers start mid-april. All finish in early June. Summer: One & two week day camps for beginners & intermediate rowers. Are practices optional? Practices are NOT optional. All boats must be filled for an effective practice. If a rower must be absent, it is their responsibility to contact the coach as soon a possible. Registration How do I enroll in a BRC program? Browse to for instructions and required forms. Because we are a club, rather than a school-funded sport, there is a fee for programs, uniforms, and regattas. Is there a trial membership? Upon an request to the Registrar, a rower can participate for two weeks to determine if rowing is right for them. Nonetheless, all registration requirements must first be met. A full refund will be provided if an is sent to the Registrar announcing the decision to withdraw before the end of the first two weeks.

5 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 5 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB What is the cost, and any fundraising obligation? Brighton Rowing Club receives no funding from the schools. Coaching and ongoing equipment & facilities costs are covered by member dues. In addition, participants are responsible for travel/registration costs of regattas, and purchase of a uniform. Total cost per season is ~ $1000. We are unable to offer financial aid. Individual fundraising is NOT required. BRC offers opportunities for participants to do personal fundraising in order to offset their expenses. Participants buy products at BRC s cost, sell products, and keep the proceeds. Support for club fundraising activities is encouraged. These include: Parents volunteering at the Head of the Genesee regatta (4 to 16 hours total, per year). BRC s share of the profits is prorated by what % of volunteers were affiliated with BRC. Sponsoring a boat in the Corporate Challenge race at the Head of the Genessee Attending benefit functions, such as dinner dances. BRC also welcomes tax-deductible donations and sponsorships What is the refund policy? Refunds will be addressed case-by-case by request to Treasurer@BrightonCrew.org Is there a swim test? A swim test is mandatory for all new members. This is held at the Brighton High School pool and consists of treading water for 10 minutes and swimming four lengths at a leisurely pace in a sweatshirt. The swim test volunteer coordinator will contact you after you have registered. No rower will be permitted in a boat until this requirement is fulfilled. Is there a roster available? Ask any staff member for access to our online password-protected roster to help with organizing carpools. Land Parent What is a Land Parent? A Land Parent is used at every practice. They supervise any team members that remain on land while coaches are on the water, keep a watchful eye on the boathouse and the kids personal belongings left in the boathouse, and aid in the event of an emergency. The Land Parent arrives at the start of the earliest practice and remains until the end of the last practice (usually about 2.5 hours total because practice start times are staggered). Upon arrival, the Land Parent introduces themselves to a coach, explains that they are the Land Parent for the day, and exchanges cell phone numbers with the coach. The Land Parent remains outside the boathouse near the fenced area during the practice. They are welcome to sit at the picnic tables or bring their own lawn chair and enjoy time reading or whatever they would like. Please remember to dress appropriately for 2 hours outdoors. In very cold or rainy weather, the Land Parent may sit inside.

6 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 6 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB In the event of an emergency, the role of the Land Parent is to aid the coaches in contacting appropriate people and dealing with the situation. Typically the coach will already have called 911 from their cell phone. The land parent may need to contact parents/guardians, locate blankets and dry clothes, wait at the curb to direct emergency personnel to the dock and, in cases where the coach accompanies an injured rower to the hospital, stay with the remaining rowers until they are picked up by parents/guardians. What resources are available to the Land Parent? A storage bin in the boathouse contains towels, blankets, and extra dry clothing if needed. A first aid kit is also available, and each launch has one on board as well. The metal cabinet in the boathouse contains the BRC medical form binder. Each rower s medical form contains emergency contact information for the parent/guardian, the rower's medical insurance, and any medical conditions or medications that may need to be relayed to an EMT or the Emergency Room. How often do I need to volunteer to be a Land Parent? We ask that each family volunteer as Land Parent twice during the season. Although we each have work and family commitments, if every family selects 2 dates we should have the season covered. Clothing & Uniforms What should rowers wear? Rowers must always arrive to practice already dressed to exercise. Clothes must be tight-fitting to avoid catching in the boat's moving parts. Layered clothing allows easy adjustment for comfort. Competition uniforms made of Spandex are ideal for practice. In inclement weather, practice may consist of jogging, or rowing on indoor machines called ergometers, or "ergs" for short. What uniforms are required? Uniforms are required for all regatta competitors: Novice Sweep rowers require the Racing T-Shirt. Varsity Sweep rowers require both a Tech Shirt and Unisuit. Modified Rowers are encouraged to order the Racing T-Shirt. What is a Racing T-Shirt, Tech Shirt, and Unisuit? All of the following are custom ordered and carry the BRC logo: Racing T-Shirt: short sleeve of quick-drying athletic fabric Tech Shirt: long sleeve Spandex with long tail Unisuit: "Uni" for short, is one-piece Spandex combining a tank-top with shorts How to order uniforms? Uniforms are ordered in the same way that you register for a BRC program. Uniform costs are not included in season dues. Recycled uniforms for loan or sale may be available at a reduced cost. BRC also offers the optional Gore-Tex windbreaker. This coveted article make a great gift. A separate will instruct how and when to order this item.

7 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 7 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB Donate! If you have outgrown your uniform or wish to donate it, BRC will provide you a tax form. This will help BRC lower the cost of participation to future rowers. More uniform questions? Contact Uniforms@BrightonCrew.org Rowing Terms What is a coxswain? Pronounced "cox-in", a coxswain does not row but commands all actions of the shell - both in and out of the water. He or she steers and orders rowers during a race with the strategic stroke rate and pressure. Like a jockey, a coxswain is typically light in weight. Coxswains are often specially recruited, and attend all practices. Shells and Sculls All rowing boats can be called shells. A sculler's shell can also be called a scull. Originally made of wood, new competition boats are made of honeycombed carbon fiber. They are light and appear fragile but are crafted to be strong and stiff in the water. The smallest single scull is approximately 27 feet long and as narrow as 10 inches across. The longest, holding 8 rowers plus a coxswain, is a very dramatic yet awkward 58 feet! Oars Oars move the boat through the water and act as balancers. Sweep oars are longer than sculler's oars and have wooden handles instead of rubber grips. The shaft of the oar is made of extremely lightweight carbon fiber instead of the heavier wood used years ago. Rigging The oars are attached to the boat with riggers, which provide a fulcrum for the levering action of rowing. Shells are stored in the boathouse with riggers attached. This more than triples the effective width of the boat. Loading and unloading boats onto the trailer for trips to regattas requires the riggers to be tediously removed and reattached. Sweep shells' rigs almost always alternate left (port) and right (starboard). The stroke seat's preference determines the start of the pattern. Seat & Stroke Except the coxswain, all rowers face backwards toward the stern. Except the coxswain, rowers are identified by seat number. The first from the bow is No. 1; the seat that always crosses the finish line first. The person in front of the bow is No. 2, then No. 3, 4, 5 up to No. 8. The highest seat No. is also called the stroke. The stroke must be a strong rower with excellent technique, since the stroke sets the rhythm and number of strokes per minute that the rest of the crew must follow, as ordered by the coxswain. Regattas for Sweep Rowers Are regattas optional? Regattas are NOT optional. You should try to plan your calendar around the regatta schedule. At the start of each season, rowers are responsible for letting their coach know in which regatta they can participate. Rowing is a big commitment, often on consecutive weekends, but the season is very short, and regattas are the icing on the cake.

8 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 8 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB What if a conflict comes up? We understand that there will be family and medical emergencies that arise. If you cannot attend a regatta that you previously said you could, or can t row due to an injury, you need to notify your coach immediately. Don t say you can come and then back out at the last minute, letting your whole boat down. Deadlines for entering line-ups are scheduled weeks before the event, and making changes is difficult with a team our size. Sometimes boats have to be scratched, and this means the other rowers in the boat may not get to participate in the regatta because of the conflict of one rower. Which regattas are entered and when are they held? Browse to What is a line up? The coaches define which regatta event will be entered, which rowers will sit in each boat, and in which seat. Lineups are based upon many factors including power, endurance, technique, weight, port/starboard assignment, teamwork, attendance, and of course weekend availability. All questions about line-ups should be directed to the coaches. Do all rowers compete? Every rower will have a chance to compete, but not every sweep rower will compete in every regatta. Sometimes there is not an even number of rowers to fill a boat. Some regattas also limit the number of boats or exclude novice entries. How do I register for a regatta? The Regatta Director will handle paperwork, hotel, and travel arrangements. Fees and waivers for most regattas are included in season registration and dues. If a regatta requires additional fees or paperwork, parents will be notified by prior to the regatta. What is a waiver? You will be required to complete the standard USrowing waiver as part of registration. Unfortunately, specific regattas may require their own unique waiver forms. How to travel there? Transportation for rowers and chaperones will be by bus or van on trips over ~100 miles. For local regattas and trips less than 100 miles, transportation to/from is the responsibility of the family. Parents are encouraged to attend all regattas, but are not required. Transportation of parents and other family members is the responsibility of the family. Many families organize carpools. Where to stay? BRC reserves rooms and pays for rowers, and coaches. In addition, BRC will reserve a limited number of rooms for parents. To claim, parents must call the hotel directly and book the room in their name. What is a Hospitality Tent? The club sets up a tent at each regatta. It is a virtual kitchen with propane burners and grills for cooking. Coolers are packed with food, and parents take turns overseeing the tent operations. It provides the social hub and refuge for the team. Information about the day s schedule can be found there. There are usually two tents set up, one for food, and one for lounging. Dry weather is not a regatta guarantee, so dry cover is essential.

9 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 9 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB What about food for regattas? Your child will be well fed. In addition to planned meals, there is a bountiful array of healthy snacks available all day long. There is a web sign up for bringing specific menu items or working the hospitality tent. Can parents share the food at the Hospitality Tent? Yes, but please be mindful that the kids are rowing and you aren t. Kids may have a narrow window of time to eat before a race, or come off the water cold and starving, so make sure they eat first. There s always enough. If we run out items, there are commercial vendors serving food at every regatta. What should I bring to a regatta? Never count on staying dry or warm at a regatta. Bring waterproof boots, a raincoat, waterproof pants, and dress in layers. An umbrella and hat is a smart idea too. Sunglasses are a must if it is sunny. Everyone needs to bring a folding chair. Binoculars are great so you can see your child as more than a tiny speck on the other side of the lake. Don t forget to slather on the sun lotion; sunburns are very common. What else is there to do? There is typically lots of downtime for both rowers and parents. It's a chance to get away from your inbox and household routine and relax enjoying the outdoors, cheering as our boats pass by. Many parents just sit and talk and get to know each other. If you are not a big talker, then you might want to bring a book or magazine, or take a walk around these beautiful water settings. The kids like to play Frisbee, listen to music, socialize, and eat. You might even spot one doing homework! What happens if my child gets sick or injured? There is emergency medical assistance at every regatta. If your child requires hospitalization, one of the parent chaperones will go with him or her to the hospital. You will be contacted at the number you gave in case of an emergency. The club will make every effort to contact you immediately if a medical concern arises. Does my child have to stay all day at a regatta? Yes, that is the expectation. The kids have tasks to do on and off throughout the day including unloading the shells, helping set up the tents, transporting food and tent gear, rigging the boats, transporting oars to and from the launch area, cheering their teammates on, de-rigging boats, and loading them back onto the trailer. If someone leaves early, it means someone else is doing double duty. Can I bring my kid home myself? Yes, but you must put this intention in writing and give a copy to your child s coach. However, your child must still come to the boathouse at the end of the day to help unload the boat trailer. You will need to be in touch with your child s coach by cell phone to determine what time they need to be there to help. Why do they need to go to the boathouse afterwards? The boats are transported on a huge trailer that cannot be parked inside the boathouse. In order to secure the shells from damage or theft, they must be unloaded and put inside the boathouse. Re-rigging can be left until the following practice, but that is left to the coaches to decide. How long do regattas last? Regattas are all-day affairs. Sometimes the kids are up as early as 5:30 AM, and might not be done until 6:00 PM.

10 +BRC_Handbook.pdf Rev 7/6/09, page 10 of 10 BRIGHTON ROWING CLUB What is a Head Race? A Head Race is a longer distance race and is common in the fall. Boats leave the starting area one at a time, and finishes are based solely on the time it took for each boat to make its way down the racecourse. What is a Sprint? Sprints are shorter races, meters in length, and are raced in the spring. Depending on the venue, as many as six boats can race at once, in lanes marked with buoys. Sprints are very exciting, especially when you have two or more shells sprinting to the finish nose to nose. Where can I find out more about the sport of rowing? US Rowing is the organization recognized by the US Olympic Committee as the national governing body for the sport of rowing. It has a great website with a section specifically designed for parents new to the sport. Visit

5750 Boathouse Lane, Long Beach, CA Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3879, Long Beach, CA

LONG BEACH ROWING ASSOCIATION 5750 Boathouse Lane, Long Beach, CA 90803 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 3879, Long Beach, CA 90803 www.longbeachrowing.org GUIDELINES FOR USE LBRA s guidelines for rowing in Long