Hale Rowing FAQs for New Families

Transcription

1 Hale Rowing FAQs for New Families Welcome to Rowing at Hale. Rowing is the ultimate team sport. It teaches athletes to be highly organised, dedicated, loyal and willing to push physical and mental limits. Rowing is a demanding sport. Friendships for life are formed through rowing because of the unique camaraderie the sport offers. We do appreciate that for some of our new families, having a son begin rowing can be quite daunting as not all people have experienced rowing before. Please be reassured that you and your son are entering a part of life at Hale that we hope you will both find rewarding and enjoyable. Below we have listed some basic information about rowing at Hale that may help you to feel more comfortable and involved with your son s rowing experience. Where Do We Row? At Hale, our crews train out of Cygnet Hall, which is nestled in the northern end of Matilda Bay (enter from Hackett Drive). The Hale rowing shed is called Cygnet Hall and is also referred to as The Shed

2 Who Rows? Year 7 to 9 learn sculling (two-oar rowing in quads and singles) and Years 10 to 12 learn sweep (single-oar rowing in eights). Crews race either in quads (4 rowers and a coxswain) or eights (8 rowers and a coxswain). The coxswain not only steers the boat but has an important role in coaching the crew and communicating race-plans to the crew. A good coxswain is a true leader among his peers. A rowing season starts in September and ends with the Head of the River Regatta for all PSA schools in March. The whole season is in preparation for this final race, so we often refer to groups by their Head of the River age/crew (eg. in Term 4, Year 8s may be referred to as the 9A quad etc). Note: only years 9 to 12 race at the Head of the River. o Year 7 introduction to rowing in quads and singles in Term 4. o Year 8 Term 1 is still focused on learning, with some opportunities to race at the PSA regattas with all rowers. In Term 4 they start to prepare for full racing in Year 9. o Year 9 their season starts in Term 4 of Year 8 with some practice races in quads. In Term 1 they race every Saturday with all crews and schools at Champion Lakes. o Year 10 their season starts in Term 4 of Year 9 with some races in eights. In Term 1 they race every Saturday with all crews and schools at Champion Lakes. o Year 11 & 12 (Seniors) their season starts in Term 3 of Year 10/11 with Term 4 racing in eights. In Term 1 they race every Saturday with all crews and schools at Champion Lakes.

3 Training We train both on the Swan River and at the Hale School Fitness Centre. Training schedules will depend on the year level of the rower this information will be sent separately. Morning river sessions start bright and early with buses leaving Hale School at the Chapel at 5:15am for sessions on school days. Breakfast is available for boys to purchase at the Hale canteen upon our return to school. Training will be on regardless of weather unless advised of a cancellation. If the conditions are not suitable or safe for boys to be on the water, land-based training sessions will be undertaken. For this reason, boys must bring running shoes to every session. Seniors and Year 9s will have some Saturday morning training sessions scheduled in Term 4. o Buses from school are available for boarding students for Saturday sessions. o Day boys make their own way to Cygnet Hall on Saturdays. o There are no busses for holiday training sessions. o The Rowing PSG (Rowing Parent Support Group) cook breakfast for the boys & staff at the shed after most Saturday sessions. If you cannot attend a training session please Year 7: gph@hale.wa.edu.au (Mr George Haggett) All others: halerowing@gmail.com (Mike Quinn & Michael Chapman) Regattas Rowing regattas are where we compete against other PSA schools. There will be two regattas in Term 4 for Years 9 to 11 (hosted by Guilford and Aquinas respectively) with the remaining regattas being held on Saturday mornings in Term 1 (for Years 8 to 12). Busses to/from regattas are provided for all rowers. Spectators are most welcome. For Term 1 regattas, each school has a designated area at Champion lakes where we will have set up a Hale marquee. The PSG provide catering for our rowers for all regattas during Term 1. This is usually done as a roster by year level with families donating baked goods and fruit on the day. Information will be sent out closer to each regatta. Each PSA school hosts a particular regatta which gives the school an opportunity to raise money through catering and raffles.

4 Uniform All boys must wear Hale rowing uniform to regattas & training Uniforms are available at the Hale Clothing Store o School rowing suit for regattas (referred to as a zoot-suit or zootie ), o School cap or Hale rowing cap o rowing t-shirt o school tracksuit Note: Year 7/8 rowers do not require the zoot-suit and may wear Hale PE uniform. Rowing Camps Rowing camps are where we conduct extra training, coaching and team building activities with our rowers. Details relating to camps will be sent out closer to the date. There are 2 camps o Senior Rowing Camp (for boys who will be in Yr 11 & 12 in 2019) End of Term 4, Bunbury. o All Rowers Camp (Years 9 to 12) Mid-late January, Hale School Rowers stay in Hale School boarding house. Rowing PSG (Parent Support Group) Is a group of parents who volunteer to support rowing at Hale throughout the season. Every parent is welcome to join further information will be sent to you. The PSG o Support the Rowing Team at Hale o Fundraise to allow the purchase of equipment for the rowing shed o Provide & organise catering at rowing camps, Saturday training sessions & regattas o Organise social functions & the annual Rowing Dinner. o Organise and sell Hale Rowing merchandising The PSG have Hale Rowing gear available for purchase including shirts, hats, aprons, cups etc All profits go directly back to rowing at Hale.

5 Oarsman s Dinner The Oarsman s Dinner is held on the night of the Head if the River at the end of each rowing season. It is a dinner and presentation night at Hale for rowers, coaches & parents (year 9 to 12) Tickets will be available to purchase during Term 1 (and usually sell out quickly). Communication Information regarding rowing will be ed and/or sent home with your son. A closed Facebook group Hale Rowing has been set up for rowers and parents. Any questions can be ed to mpc@hale.wa.edu.au (Michael Chapman)