Regatta season is the best time of the crew calendar, for it is on the water that you can see all the hard work, teamwork, and determination harnessed to one goal. For more details, go to the Regattas section of the Parent’s Introduction to Crew.
What time do I need to be there?
Generally, the students need to be there 2 hours before their race time. The coaches will tell the kids, week to week, when they have to be there. When in doubt, please email the coach liaison!
The race schedule is announced either Thursday night or early Friday, so we’ll have a good estimate for each race starting time.
It is absolutely critical that your athlete BE ON TIME and dressed in his or her uniform. One late person jeopardizes the entire boat
Athletes should bring their tech shirt and a jacket. Regatta rules state that everyone in the boat must be dressed identically, with exceptions made for religious coverings, so one person without a tech shirt on cold days means everyone in the boat is cold!
Parent tip: We’ll send out a link once the schedule is posted. We recommend you download the schedule and print it.
How long do regattas last?
The first races generally start at 9:00 a.m. If you’ve ever been to a swim meet, regattas are similar. There are six racing lanes, so each “heat” can contain up to six boats. If there are more than six boats in a category, there will be more than one heat.
Regattas usually last into the afternoon; the larger regattas can last into late afternoon. Novices do not row in the first regatta of the season, the Polar Bear, so it can go pretty quickly. The last regatta of the season, the State Championship regatta, is a whopper because so many teams attend.
You can drop your athlete and come back later in the day, but the later in the day it is, the longer it will take to make your way to the grandstand, so allow ample time.
Where do I drop off and pick up my athlete?
Athletes can be dropped off and picked up at Lot D.
Where do I park?
On-site parking is reserved for athletes, coaches, buses, staff, volunteers, and disabled persons. If you are filling a VASRA volunteer duty, you can park in Lot D at no charge.
Spectator parking will be at South County High School, 8501 Silverbrook Rd., Lorton, VA, and bused to Lot C. Make sure you are at the HIGH SCHOOL, not the MIDDLE SCHOOL next door. If you don't see anyone there, you're at the wrong school. Spectators can either walk the trail or take the van to the grandstand. The bus from South County HS will operate one hour before the first race until one hour after the last race and will take about 25 minutes, including loading, travel, and unloading.
The bus from South County is $15 round trip, payable when boarding at SCHS. You cannot pay for only one way, so anyone planning to take the bus back to South County should pay and board at South County.
The van from Lot C to the grandstand is $5 each way.
Both fees are cash only – VASRA has no way to take non-cash payment.
The walk from the Lot C to the grandstand will take about 15 minutes. It is hilly and you're walking through the woods, on an unpaved trail.
Spectator Dropoff/Pickup
Athletes and spectators can be dropped off and picked up in Lot D. Carpooling is encouraged. VASRA also strongly encourages dropping off everyone in the car at Lot D and having only one person park at South County HS to shorten the lines for the shuttle.
What should I think about bringing?
Rowers
Parents
Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers, as it is often chilly in the mornings but warm in the afternoons. DO NOT BRING PETS.
What do I do if I am volunteering at a regatta?
The first thing you MUST do is sign in at the volunteer sign-up tent in the boathouse area ONE HOUR in advance of your position start time. If you are volunteering in the grandstand concessions, you can check in at the grandstand instead, but you must sign in. If you fail to sign in, Langley will be fined for not fulfilling our obligation, even if you completed your volunteer duties.
Parent tip:
Do not bring young children with you to your assignment. Children are not allowed to accompany parents at any assignment, including concession stands, due to insurance requirements.
On Call volunteers check-in at the volunteer tent for shifts starting at 8:00 a.m. and at the grandstands for shifts starting at noon.
How do I get to the grandstand?
The South County shuttle bus will deliver you to Parking Lot C. From there you can walk to the grandstand or you can board the grandstand shuttle van, which will drive you nearly to the grandstands. If you are walking, head to the sign that reads Pedestrian Trail. Once on the trail you will walk a few hundred yards to a “T” intersection (see signs). Take a left to the Grandstands. Warning: the trail is well-trodden but unpaved, and hilly. Wear proper shoes!
What's the "food tent" or “team tent” all about?
On regatta days, we set up the Langley canopy near the boathouse. It serves as a place for the athletes to relax before and after their race and to urge one another on. We provide nutritional support for the rowers, with parents signing up to donate the food and drinks. We aim for relatively healthy food that the kids can eat easily, as donuts and Skittles aren’t good food choices right before a race!
There are four 2023 regattas where the South County parking lot will not be available:
For those four regattas, parking will be available at the Lake Ridge Park and Ride lot on the corner of Old Bridge Rd and Rt 123.