handbook for rowers and families€¦ · rowers that choose to participate in the fundraising...

Kansas State Rowing Association (KSRA) 2014

Handbook

For ROWERS

And FAMILIES

Table of Contents:

Welcome and Background 4 History and Organization 5

Communication 5

Finances and Fundraising 5

Our Seasons – Programs and Opportunities 6

How to Become a Rower Registration 7

Swim Test 7

Rower Expectations and Preparations What to Wear and Bring 7

Practice Rules 8

Attendance – Practice and Regattas 8

Boat and Seat Placement 9

Information for Rower Families Volunteering 10

Communicating with the Coaches 10

About Regattas 10

Hoorah for Hospitality 10

Planning for the Costs of Crew 11

Travel and Logistics 11

Packing List for Regattas 12

Glossary 13-14

Sculling Boats / Sweeping Boats 15

Boats Parts and Placement 16

Guide to Good Technique 17

Welcomeand Background

“Rowing is an Ancient Word for Awesome”.

Crew is a little different from other sports. All the students, boys and girls, everyone from varsity and novice, train together, practice together, race together. Everyone helps with the launches.

Rowing is a sport where everyone shares the same pain, the same pleasure. Everyone will have the same joy and exhilaration as the rowers start in sync and the boat speed increases. Everyone gives maximum effort maintaining speed and power until the horn blows as the bow crosses the finish line. There is no individual glory. Everyone shares the glory.

At MJC we take enormous pride in a program that welcomes every rower regardless of school district, previous athletic experience or identified skill. We believe any youth who wants to row and is willing to make the commitment can be a strong part of this great team and will have a rewarding experience.

The Manhattan Junior Crew (MJC):

HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION Manhattan Junior Crew is part of a larger organization, Kansas State Rowing Association (KSRA).

Rowing began in Kansas in 1963 when coach Don Rose founded the Kansas State Crew. A rich tradition quickly grew, and K-State was soon competing at prestigious regattas and defeating traditional powerhouses such as Wisconsin, Pur-due, Syracuse and Washington.

There are three volunteer members of the board of directors who serve rotating three-year terms. There is also one coaching staff representative seat on the board and two Student seats (Captain and Captainess). The Board directly manages all operations of our program in consultation with the head coach.

Volunteer Committees conduct all work related to fundraising, boathouse and equipment, communication, hospitality, and events. These committees draw from a wealth of volunteer expertise with the goal of the development of a suc-cessful and engaged youth rowing opportunity in the Flint Hills Region.

The coaches make the day to day decisions about practice times, boat placements, practice plans, and racing sched-ules.

Volunteers are the backbone of the organization. In addition to serving on the committees mentioned above, volun-teers operate the hospitality (food) tent, fix equipment – the list goes on.

A few other things to know about MJC…

We make a lot of noise cheering for our team. We always need more volunteers. We are very proud of the kids on the team. Safety comes first!

COMMUNICATION

Web Site: The web site, http://www.manhattanjuniorcrew.weebly.com, has general information about the sport of crew, recent photos and race results, practice schedule and directions to upcoming regattas.

Email: Most communication to families comes via email to the address parents supply on registration forms. Race times, directions, and food assignments for the hospitality tent will come by email. In addition, email addresses for all coaches and board members are on the Contact Us page of the web site. Please use them for feedback and for ques-tions.

Facebook: Manhattan Junior Crew has a Facebook page. Many parents are also on the Facebook page, and some, but not all, of the coaches are also. If you are a parent you’ll be fine if you are checking email; the Facebook page is bonus information but is not critical for you.

Parent/Board Meetings: A schedule of meetings will be posted on the website. Parent meetings are scheduled as needed. Normally at the beginning of each season or before regattas. Board members meet monthly.

Frequently coaches and board members make announcements at the end of daily practices. Feel free to draw near to

hear these announcements first-hand.

FINANCES AND FUNDRAISING

Manhattan Junior Crew is part of the Kansas State Rowing Association. The Manhattan Junior Crew’s operating funds

are self-funded. Registration fees cover Insurance through Kansas State Rowing Association (KSRA) and coaches’ sala-

ry. This means that all of our operating costs, race entry fees, coach regatta expenses (hotel/food), equipment trans-

portation and more all must be covered by fundraising or paid by each rower.

MANHATTAN JUNIOR CREW HANDBOOK for Rowers and Families

Rowers that choose to participate in the fundraising events earn a portion of the profits. These profits are recorded by

the treasurer who maintains all of the crew members accounts. At any time you may contact the Treasurer for your

students account balance. Accounts will be maintained until the student has graduated high school, so if your rower

takes a year off for any reason their account will be maintained until they graduate high school.

You can obtain a list of regattas and estimated costs on our website: http://manhattanjuniorcrew.weebly.com

Individual Donations

Parents of current and past rowers, rower alumnae, and rowing enthusiasts from the community make individual do-nations to the program. You can donate by contacting any board member at any time.

SCHOLARSHIPS

If you want to row, we want you to be able to row. We strive to provide the opportunity to all who are interested. Families seeking scholarships are expected to be actively engaged in fundraising efforts and activities, which helps the rower earn individual money to fund fees and expenses later in the year. If you have questions or concerns about the scholarship, please email the MJC board through [email protected]

OUR SEASONS – PROGRAMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Manhattan Junior Crew operates throughout the year. We encourage our rowers to row year-round, but we realize

some are involved in other sports or activities. Athletes can choose which seasons interest them.

SEASON 1 : August 1st—December 31

Season 1 provides an excellent opportunity to work on technical rowing skills and build an aerobic foundation. Racing is “head style;” long races (2.5 to 3.1 miles) against the clock. Typical race venues include Oklahoma City, Wichita, To-peka, and Lawrence.

MJC runs an ergometer (indoor rowing) program after our last regatta in November. We train two to three days per week. Interested rowers participate in indoor Erg Tournaments. This is a critical piece of training for the serious rowing athlete who doesn’t participate in a winter team sport (or even if you do!). For most, the ergometer training experi-ence and resultant improvement in “2k” test scores makes the committed athlete hard to ignore for coaches and col-leges.

SEASON 2: January 1—July 31

Season 2 starts with a continuation of the Ergometer (indoor rowing) Program.

During “Spring Break” MJC travels south to train in warmer waters. The trip affords the best opportunity for reac-quainting the athlete with increasingly intense water workouts as we anticipate the spring race season.

Season 2 features “sprint style” racing opportunities (1500m or 2000m) at venues in OK and KS. This season also in-cludes regional championship competition which, in turn, offers the opportunity to qualify for national championship races in early June.

MJC operates through the summer months giving experienced rowers the opportunity to row in singles and doubles and gives an opportunity for rowers new to rowing to start training for fall regattas. The summer months are a great way for new rowers to get a taste of crew.


Howto Become a Rower

REGISTRATION

Registration forms, including payment of fees, must be completed within two weeks of the rowers first practice in or-der to continue to row. If a rower has not completed registration they will not be able to row until all forms and fees are in.

Please go to – http://www.manhattanjuniorcrew.weebly.com to find all required registration forms.

SWIM TEST

All new registrants must pass a swim test before starting to row. Swim test dates and instructions will be given by coaches at the start of the season.

Expectations and Preparations

WHAT TO WEAR AND BRING

There is only one required purchase for clothing, a MJC race tank/shirt. These will be available at the boathouse early in each season.

Rowers:

You will need to wear spandex shorts or long spandex pants to wear in the boat. This is because regular athletic shorts will get caught in the tracks of the seats. You can wear a pair of sweatpants or warm-up pants over the spandex on cool days or to change out of right before practice begins. Wear layers on top, such as a short and/or long-sleeved t-shirt, sweatshirt or windbreaker (fleece). Shirts and jackets shouldn't be too long, since they will need to be tucked into the back of your spandex. Bring one with you even if you think it is warm- it is always cooler on the water and you won't be rowing 100% of the time.

Bring a pair of comfortable socks and a pair to change into after practice, they will get wet. Wear shoes that you can wear into the water. Prefer all rowers wear athletic sandals, because they can to tucked into the boat. Bring at least one water bottle (and two if it's going to be hot) to keep in the boat and drink during practice. Wear sunscreen!

Coxswains:

You will be sitting still for an hour to 90 minutes. Wear comfortable clothing and bring extra layers because you will be cold. If you will be in a bowcoxed boat, you may want to wear waterproof clothing because you may get wet. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Bring a water bottle and wear sunscreen! Small pillows are also allowed.


PRACTICE RULES

1. Every team member has an important role to play and the coaches and your team mates expect your best in all

things. We expect everyone to give an effort that is beyond their current talents. We expect everyone to exhibit the highest moral character as an athlete, student, family member and young citizen.

2. Team members should arrive to practice on time, mentally prepared, and dressed in weather appropriate clothing

for both land and water practice. Athletes are expected to remain at practice until the entire team is dismissed.

3. Athletes should attend practice with a labeled, reusable, water bottle.

4. Cellular telephones, MP3 players, iPods and the like are not allowed during practice.

5. Every team member is expected to help with all the work required to prepare for practice: staging oars, outfitting

coaching launches, assembling warm up equipment, etc. Captains will assist with job assignments to rotate respon-sibilities.

6. Warm up, drilling, land training, on-the-water steady/race performance pieces all contribute – you cannot ignore

one without limiting the effectiveness of the others.

7. Everyone is expected to perform all assigned warm-ups and workouts with a positive attitude, to the best of their

ability. Anything less than your best limits your improvement and holds back your boat-mates.

8. You will respect, listen to, and follow all commands given by the Coaches and Cox! The Cox speaks for the coach

and is responsible for the safety of the crew and management of the practice.

Note: The Coaches expect all team members to ask questions and ask for feedback or clarifications. HONEST and OPEN com-munications are vital to maintaining a positive productive team. Rumors, talking behind people’s backs and negative talk are not acceptable. Talk to your captains and coaches with any issues.

Report any injury or illness to your coach immediately!

ATTENDANCE – PRACTICE AND REGATTAS

*All Team Members are expected to attend practice and regattas.

Practice is from 3:15 to 5:00 pm as scheduled. There may be early morning practices scheduled as needed to pre-pare for regattas.

Crew is a uniquely team sport and every absence interferes with the coaches’ planning and evaluation as well as the experience of other athletes. Consistency and dependability are important attributes of a crew athlete.

In case of absence

Your coach needs to be notified as soon as possible if you will be absent. Planning and execution of practices depend upon the earliest possible notice of an absence. The worst scenario is a coach learning of an absence as practice starts. Talk to your coach – email, text, verbal. Remind your coach of an impending absence if time permits.

Regatta expectations

Rowers are generally expected to arrive at a regatta as scheduled. Several days before a regatta, coaches will give spe-cific arrival times to rowers.

1. We are good teammates. The last racers of the day need the support and cheering of the team and parents just as much as the first racers. The entire team’s results matter equally!


2. Many hands make light work. At the end of every regatta, all rowers participate in de-rigging and loading shells on trailers. We then clean the entire area in which we’ve been “camped” for the day, to be sure we leave it better than we found it. It’s more fun to share the work as a team – rowers and families.

BOAT AND SEAT PLACEMENT

MJC is a club and the team is comprised of a variety of strengths and abilities of rowers. The coaches pride themselves in training novice with experienced rowers. This means mixing rowers around and looking for the most optimal and broad winning team. This shifting of rowers builds strength, commitment, character and respect among the individual rower and as a team.

Moving from Novice to Varsity

Every first-season rower is a novice rower. Coaches will endeavor to keep novices together for their first full season. At the completion of the rowers first year they will be considered a “varsity” rower. Some regattas define “novice” in such a way that our newer varsity kids can still compete as novices and we will avail ourselves of these opportunities (it’s not a demotion!).

How Rowers are Selected for Boat Seats

All rowers will be tested for speed and strength capacity with an erg test near the beginning of each season and occa-sionally thereafter during the season. Coaches will use erg data combined with observation of the rower’s practice work to place rowers in boats. Coaches look for combinations of rowers who can work together in a way that maximiz-es the chances of producing a winning combination. Because of the intentional diversity of the team, Coaches consist-ently explore new combinations of successful rowers. Expect to experience different seats in different boats over the course of a season. Each coach may approach this task in slightly different ways and should be able to explain this ap-proach if asked. Each coach is looking to do the best he/she can for the entire program.


Rowing is a

total body workout!

Information for Rower Families Rower families have many critical roles in making the program work. The core role is supporting your rower as he or she commits an immense amount of time, focus and energy to this wonderful sport. Usually this means a significant amount of time from family members driving, acting as number one fans at races, and volunteering at and in between races. It also really helps to take the time to understand what’s going on and supporting your rower by exemplifying good communication skills when there are questions or concerns. The MJC board understands that crew is intense and you have many things going on in your family. The board both needs your help, and hopes to support you in making this a manageable commitment. We hope this information is helpful for your family in planning for the season.

VOLUNTEERING

MJC is an all-volunteer organization. The board has a number of standing committees and we always need fresh volun-teers for them. Volunteers help by taking photos, setting up tents, transporting rowers for regattas and doing other vital tasks. We invite you to volunteer to support the team. Contact an MJC board member if your interested in learn-ing more about volunteering (http://www.manhattanjuniorcrew.weebly.com)

COMMUNICATING WITH THE COACHES

Every day our coaches work with rowers of all skill levels. In a single afternoon this will include challenging extremely talented athletes while bringing out new confidence in a rower doing a sport for the very first time. It includes remem-bering rower scheduling conflicts, coaching both rapidly advancing and struggling rowers, and juggling boat lineups ac-cordingly. Coaches do their best to explain seating and boat changes to rowers during practice. However, with all this going on, sometimes there are communication gaps. If your rower is unclear about what’s happening at practice or with his or her placements, encourage him or her to communicate directly with the coach. Parents are also encouraged to communicate with coaches when they have questions or concerns. Contact information is located on the Crew web-site.

ABOUT REGATTAS

A regatta is a series of boat racing events usually spread over a full day, sometimes two. It takes many parents to have a successful race day.

Directions and race times for regattas are posted on the MJC website as soon are they are available. Support your row-er in arriving at the time his or her coach asks, and plan for both you and your rower to stay through the end of the re-gatta. Rowers are expected to stay to the end of the race to support their teammates, listen to announcements, load boats, and clean up the race site. Please try to drive your rower or arrange for a ride for them.

Rowers will be occupied with their boat and their team for most of the day. They will emerge for food after their race and will be available for visiting then. Parents can find a comfy place to view the race. Bring chairs, sunscreen, bug spray, books, a camera, or work to do. Parents are an important part of the cheering squad! They review and decode the race schedule together as well as visit the hospitality tent and meet friends, families and enjoy the day. Regattas are a great time for volunteering too. Every family is expected to participate in the food/ hospitality system at every race. In addition parents, take pictures for use in publicity efforts, and volunteer in other ways. If you have time and/or skill, please jump in!

HOORAH FOR HOSPITALITY!

The Hospitality Committee is committed to making the regatta experience as pleasant as possible for rowers and their families. We do this by providing shelter (large canopies), grills, tables and utensils. This equipment allows us to pro-


vide beverages and nutritious pre-and post-race food even in locations remote from stores and restaurants. The cano-pies provide a nice place to socialize, get out of the weather, and pass the day while we wait for our boats to come down the course.

The Hospitality Committee does not provide food or paper goods. Hospitality relies on families to contribute to our re-gatta “pot luck” events.

Here is how it works: each regatta, Hospitality will develop a menu for that regatta. Most regattas typically involve at least one meal, with nutritious snacks available throughout the day. Families will be asked to sign up for particular dish-es. Please keep in mind that we are feeding a hungry horde of rowers and parents and that our goal is to provide nutri-tious food.

Here is what a typical regatta looks like from the Hospitality perspective – all parent-volunteer-driven and we wel-come you to participate!

• Early AM: trailer arrives

• Canopies unpacked and set up

• Tables and grill unloaded and set up

• Beverage table set up with water. The club provides large water containers and rowers/parents will be assigned to bring water. In order to cut down on plastic bottles and cups, we ask rowers and parents to bring a water bottle that you can refill throughout the day.

• Set out snack foods (fruit and energy bars)

• Begin heating/setting out lunch foods

• Replenish beverages and snacks

• Set out desserts

• Begin clean up

• Take down canopies and repack trailer

At each regatta, Hospitality must be up and running before the first boats launch. Throughout the day, parents are asked to volunteer their time manning the grill, restocking the food tables, and helping to keep the area clean—but don’t forget to take time to cheer for our boats! At day’s end, all families are asked to pitch in take down the canopies, clean up the area. Remember—the traditional “Hoorah” at the end of each practice and regatta recognizes not only the efforts of the rowers, but also of the families that make their participation possible and who keep them dry, fed and hydrated on race days.

PLANNING FOR THE COSTS OF CREW

Crew is a wonderful sport. The MJC registration fee is $150.00. In addition to registration fees, there are other costs rower families should be prepared for during the season. Examples include regatta fees, the cost of food contributions to the hospitality tent, gas to get to races (we encourage carpooling), overnight stays, and rower clothes/uniform.

TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS

MJC does not have a bus for transporting rowers to and from races and practices. Rowers need to find a ride to practice or the races whether it be their parent, carpooling, or driving themselves.

Thank you for joining the Manhattan Junior Crew FAMILY. We hope that you will enjoy your experience with us as a family team member and support your child in this wonderful sport.


Rower Packing List

Layers of clothes and extra clothes when not rowing – varying temperatures and possible rain!

Raincoat and/or jacket possibly

Extra bag for carrying regatta gear to the team tent area (so you aren’t carrying your entire suitcase!)

Several pairs of socks

Underwear

Pajamas

Shorts/sweats and t-shirts/sweatshirts for after you get out of the boat

Females:

sports bras/regular bras

hair ties/headbands

Uniform – shirt and spandex shorts

Athletic Sliders for at the dock (will be helpful if names are on them – parents will be helping get them to you!!!)

Athletic shoes

Hats/Visors if desired

Sunglasses

Athletic tape (and athletic braces) – there is also waterproof athletic tape I saw at Target and may be elsewhere, too.

First year rowers: No gloves are allowed during rowing.

Any prescription medications or vitamins

Towel

Blanket

Toiletries –

Shampoo & conditioner

Deodorant

Soap

Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss

Comb/brush/hair products

Lip balm

Sunscreen

Glasses/Contacts/Lens solution

Feminine hygiene products

Razor/shaving cream

Retainers

Nail clippers/Small scissors

IPods, games, books, - other personal entertainment items

Money for food and personal spending – they may be regatta t-shirts and other things for sale.

Bag (garbage bag) for Wet Clothes!!!

Water bottle ( PUT NAME on it!!!)

Personal snacks if desired – there will be “some” available at the team tent

Chargers for phones, iPods, games

Thank you for joining the Manhattan Junior Crew FAMILY. We hope that you will enjoy your experience with us as a family team member and support your child in this wonderful sport.


Glossary

Blade/Oarblade Spoon Part of the oar that is pulling through the water.

Handle Part of the oar that the rower holds on to.

Shaft Part of the oar that connects the blade to the handle.

Squared Blade perpendicular to the water.

Feathered Blade parallel to the water.

Pin Vertical metal bit onto which the swivel is mounted.

Oarlock Plastic bit of rigger which holds the blade and swivels to let the blade pivot.

Gate Metal bit at the top of the swivel which holds the blade in place.

Rigger Metal Stays fixed to the side of the boat that carry the blade.

Collar The plastic ring on the blade which pushes on the inside of the oar lock.

Catch The part of the stroke where the blade is put into the water.

Finish The part of the stroke where the blade is taken out of the water.

Draw The part of the stroke where the spoon is pulled through the water.

Drive The phase of the stroke during the draw when the legs are driving downward.

Strike Down When the rower pushes the handle down to lever the blade out of the water.

Recovery The part of the stroke where the rower moves up the slide for the next catch.

Front-stops Where you take the catch on a full slide stroke.

Back-stops Where you take the finish, legs flat, sitting back.

Slide Metal rails on which the rower’s seat runs.

Spinning Turning the boat around.

Backing Doing a reverse stroke to go backwards

Scratch on This is when 3 rows with 2’s blade or 2 with bow’s blade. Paddling with anoth-

er rower’s blade very close to the boat: it moves the boat sideways very quickly.

Inside hand The one nearest the gate (it does the squaring and feathering).


Outside hand The one away from the gate, which does the pulling and striking down.

Half slide Taking the catch halfway to front-stops instead of at full slide.

Body rock What you do with legs flat before you go up the slide during the recovery.

Light pressure Rowers not pulling very hard.

Full pressure Rowers pulling as hard as possible. Also ‘Firm pressure’.

Half pressure In between (theoretically). Also quarter pressure or three-quarter.

Rating The number of strokes taken in a minute. Measured by a ‘rate meter’.

Ratio The ratio of time pulling the stroke against time sliding on the recovery.

Port The left hand side of the boat when sitting in the cox’s seat.

Starboard The right hand side of the boat from the cox’s seat.

Stroke (1) The person sitting nearest the cox, who sets the rhythm and rate.

Stroke (2) The repeating cycle of movements made by the rower and blade.

Touch Do a light part-stroke to straighten the boat out.

Sit the boat Blade feathered/flat on the water, holding the boat steady.

Row on Start paddling until told to stop. Easy Stop rowing, as in ‘Easy all’ or ‘Easy

oars’, ‘Easy there’. Blade off water.

Drop Drop the blade back onto the water after easying.

Hold it Blades squared in the water to slow or brake the boat.

CHECK IT DOWN! Shouted at top volume to avoid a crash: emergency stop.

Tandem A line-up where two consecutive rowers are on the

same side.

Catch a crab When a blade gets stuck in the water and the

handle knocks the rower flat.



Boats Parts and Placement

handbook for rowers and families€¦ · rowers that choose to participate in the fundraising...

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