Frequently Asked Questions
The
Langley High School crew program was started in the 1992-93
school year and has become increasingly popular and successful
each year since then. New rowers are always welcome. Whether
you're new to Langley or have been a Langley student for a while,
you're invited to join the Langley crew team. Here are answers
to questions that many new rowers and their parents ask.
Q: What is the crew program?
A: The crew program gives Langley High School students an opportunity
to row in competition against teams from other public and private
high schools in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC and,
occasionally, in other eastern States.
Q: Does a student have to be a good athlete
to row?
A: The sport demands endurance, strength, discipline and an
ability to tolerate the pain that their muscles will experience
in the last 500 meters of a race. Every student can develop
endurance and strength through regular exercise. Skill and discipline
can be learned.
Q: Is previous rowing experience necessary?
A: No. Few if any students entering Langley High School have
had any rowing experience.
Q: Is rowing different from other sports?
A: Yes, in many respects it is. In the words of a former member
of the Langley Crew team: “Crew is the ultimate team sport.
One person being a hero isn't going to make the team win the
race. It takes the strength, determination, and heart of the
whole team to overcome the obstacles. In a sport such as soccer,
one person can get the ball, take it all the way down the field,
and score a goal. In baseball it only takes one person to hit
a home run. Imagine being in a race in which only one person
in your boat is rowing while the rest of you just sit there.
Believe me, you won't be reaching the finish line anytime soon.”
Rowing isn't a great choice for athletes looking for MVP status.
It is, however, teamwork's best teacher.
Q: What is the racing distance?
A: High school crew races are typically 1500 meters in length.
Q: When does the rowing season begin and
how long is it?
A: The rowing season begins in late February and concludes in
late-May. Daily practices (Monday through Friday) take place
on the Occoquan River from 4:15 - 6:30 PM. Saturday practices
are in the morning. Rowers are strongly encouraged to take part
in pre-season conditioning at the school, which begins on 15
Nov 2006.
Q: Where are the regattas held?
A: Local regattas take place on the Occoquan River at Sandy
Run Regional Park in Fairfax County, approximately 25 miles
from Langley High School.
Q: How many regattas are there in a season?
A: There generally are five or six local regattas. The Langley
Crew team generally goes to two out-of-town regattas--the Stotesbury
Cup Regatta in mid-May on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia
and the Scholastic Rowing Association (SRA) regatta. In 2007,
the SRA regatta will be in Camden, NJ.
Q: Why doesn't Langley row on the Potomac
River?
A: Several high schools and colleges do row on the Potomac River.
Their boats currently take up all the available storage space.
In addition, the Occoquan is more placid and sheltered.
Q: How do the rowers get to the Occoquan?
A: The Langley Crew Boosters Club provides transportation for
freshmen from Langley to the Occoquan and back on weekdays via
a Fairfax County School Bus. We are especially privileged to
have our very own After School Activities Bus Driver, Mrs. Lynn
Buck (crew mom). The bus carries up to 45 team members. Those
who do not ride the bus, either drive alone or are in car pools.
The cost of bus transportation, which is passed on to the parents
of the bus riders,is typically $250.00. Rowers and their families
must provide their own transportation to practices during Spring
Break, Saturday practices and regattas.
Q: What does it cost to be a member of
the crew team?
A: For the 2007 season, dues will be $425 for the first member
of a family and $215 per additional rower.
Q: Why does it cost so much? How is the
money spent?
A: Rowing is a club sport that receives no financial support
from the Fairfax County Public Schools or Langley High School.
Rowing is supported by dues paid by each rower's family and
by fund-raising activities conducted by rowers and their families.
In addition, the Langley Saxon Boosters Club often makes a donation
to the Club. Income from these sources is used for coaches’
salaries; purchasing, maintaining, and storing equipment; insurance;
copying and postage, and other administrative needs.
Q: Must dues be paid all at once?
A: No. You can pay in installments. Please see the registration
form for details.
Q: Since rowing is a club sport, does
that mean rowers cannot earn letters?
A: Rowers and coxswains can earn letters. They must meet Virginia
High School League and Langley High School requirements for
participation in sports and therefore are eligible to earn varsity
letters.
Q: Are there any expenses in addition
to the dues and the cost of bus transportation to and from practice?
A: Yes, there are additional expenses for required crew uniforms
and travel to out-of-town regattas. In addition, optional team
apparel, such as sweats, polo's, hats, visors, jackets, etc.
is extra.
Q: Must parents do anything besides paying
the bills?
A: Yes. Parents must help plan and conduct the activities of
the Langley Crew Boosters Club, including fund-raising activities,
team dinners, the annual orientation session at the Occoquan
for new rowers, and the annual end-of-season picnic. Parents
are also asked to serve as chaperones on trips to out-of-town
regattas and to help out with other activities. Support of,
and participation in, fund-raising is especially important.
These activities not only make it possible to have a crew program
but also provide a way for parents to be involved in their children’s
lives and get to know their children’s friends and other Langley
parents.
Q: Are there any other volunteer requirements?
A: Yes. Every family must help run two regattas at the Occoquan.
Regatta jobs include selling food at concession stands, driving
launches for judges, serving as finish-line timers, directing
drivers into parking lots, and assisting in course set-up on
race days. Help is also needed before the season to prepare
the equipment and to lay out lines and markers for the race
course and to retrieve and store everything after the season.
Q: Who manages all these activities?
A: The Langley Crew Boosters Club has a Board of Directors elected
annually for a one-year term. The election is held each year
at the end-of-season crew picnic. The Board meets on a monthly
basis. Parents are welcome to attend.
Q: Who can answer other questions about the crew program?
A: Please email Deb Havens at saxoncrew@langleycrew.com
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