Handbook

Welcome all Northview Crew parents and athlete

We are happy you will be joining us for an exhilarating upcoming rowing season. We hope this handbook will answer many of the questions you might have but if additional questions arise, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Rowing is a wonderful sport. Your child will grow and develop both physically and emotionally. Northview Crew will teach your child about discipline, motivation, respect, dedication, competition, and teamwork and has established lasting friendships.

We wish all rowers and families the very best in the coming season.
Sincerely,
Northview Crew Board

Coaching Staff

Head Coach: Rick Anderson – rowingrick@chartermi.net
Assistant Coach: Lauren Holben – lhrows@gmail.com
Assistant Coach: Stephen Barthlow – stephen.barthlow@gmail.com
Assistant Coach: Mara Knochs – kurzemewolf@gmail.com

Crew Board

President: Robin Kay
Vice President (Interim): Kristy Templar
Secretary: Kristy Templar
Treasurer: Jonathon Kay
Fundraising Coordinator: Andrew Stelter
Food and Travel Coordinator: Lindsey O’Callaghan
Equipment Manager (Interim): Jonathon Kay
Student Representative: Brody Thompson

Northview Rowing Media Sources

Email: admin@northviewrowing.com
Website: northviewrowing.com
Facebook: Northview Rowing
Instagram: @northviewrowing

Membership Information

Forms, Waivers, Fees, and Dues

Northview Crew, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization supported by membership dues and fundraising. Membership forms and waivers are required for each season and are available before the start of practice. All athletes must register and have all forms completed prior to the beginning of the season.

Financial Obligations

Running a rowing program is expensive. With limited support from the school district, we raise money through student membership fees and fundraisers to achieve a successful financial season each year. In addition, we also provide full and partial scholarship assistance to students and families in need to allow all students to participate.

Payment Plans and Scholarships

The board is willing to arrange payment plans to meet any family’s budgeting needs. Requests for payment plans and for scholarships made to the board treasurer at the beginning of each season. All information regarding scholarships and payment plans is strictly confidential.

Dues and Travel Fees

These are some of the items covered by student membership fees:
· Storage fees for our boats
· Meal supplies (dinnerware, cups, etc.)
· Race entry fees and other race-related expenses
· Equipment purchase and maintenance
· Race uniforms

Summer/Fall & Spring Dues

Membership fee amounts are determined before the start of each season and depend primarily upon coaching fees, race entry fees and travel fees. Spring dues are higher because we travel and compete in more regattas.
Membership fee payments must be received must be made prior to the beginning of the season or special arrangements must be made prior to the payment deadline in order to allow athletes to continue to practice.

Fundraising

Registration fees and travel fees do NOT completely cover the cost of operating our team, we rely heavily on fundraising. Fundraising allows us to maintain fees as low as possible, make necessary capital purchases, provide scholarships, and maintain existing equipment. Northview Crew will also gratefully accept donations from individuals and businesses who would like to support our team. All donations to Northview Crew, Inc. are tax deductible.

The Rowing Season

There are several seasons available at different costs which will continue to condition your student for upcoming seasons to come.

Fall Season

The fall season is largely made up of training and conditioning in boats on the water to prepare your student for the spring row season. There is at least one regatta that takes place during the fall season and, to the discretion of the coaching staff, additional regattas may be scheduled. Scrimmage races are timed races in which boats start one at a time down a race course (they vary in distance). Boats start about every ten seconds, as opposed to sprint races, which are side-by-side racing where teams compete to cross the finish line first. In the fall, we often attend the Grand Rapids Fall Classic Regatta at the Grand Rapids Boathouse. Students compete in scrimmages (timed races) to achieve medals.

Winter Training

Over the winter, the team works hard on technique and conditioning to build endurance and to be ready for a quick start in the spring racing season. The indoor season primarily consists of training on indoor rowing machines, called ergometers. The team trains by running, rowing on ergs and lifting weights.

Spring Season

Spring is the busiest season for our JV and Varsity rowing team. With weekly training, several sprint races and many scrimmages, some of which require travel out of town, we keep our athletes busy. The season builds in anticipation of the Championship races at the end of May/beginning of June.

Commitment

Practice is the foundation of success in rowing and rowing is a unique sport in regards to practice. If just one member of a boat lineup does not attend practice, the other athletes in that boat may be unable to participate during training. Therefore, all athletes are expected to attend all scheduled practices throughout the week. The coaching staff understands that there may be legitimate conflicts that arise during the week and ask when at all possible, that athletes notify coaches no later than noon of a future absence.

Safety

When rowers train on the water, there is an available coach in a launch boat that will accompany them to assure their safety. The launches are equipped with safety gear and all coaches carry a cell phone. No rower is allowed on the water without the direct supervision of a coach.

Weather

We put your students’ safety first. Where practice is to take place on the water, all practices will continue in all weather conditions, except lightning, high winds or freezing rain. Practice may be transferred to the workout facility in the boathouse loft in the case of inclement weather. Cancellation of water practice is at the discretion of the coaches. Unless otherwise announced by coaches, athletes should report to the boathouse for practice in any weather. Notice of practice cancellation on school days will be made by an announcement at school and/or by email or text to the crew and parents.
When classes at Northview are canceled or early dismissal from school is made for weather related reasons, practice most likely will be canceled as well and will be communicated by the coaching staff.

Practice, Race, Travel Information

Practice Facilities

The team practices at the Jupiter Boat House located at 5501 Jupiter Avenue (access is from West River Drive). This location is a shared facility with Rockford Rowing. Our boats are stored on the west side of the building. In addition, it has a weight room with indoor rowing machines in the upper loft area.

Directions to the Boat House from the NV High School:

Exit the high school lot, left onto Hunsberger Ave. Continue on Hunsberger Ave to Coit Ave. Turn right onto Coit Ave. Proceed to Jupiter and turn left. Cross the Jupiter Bridge. Turn left onto West River drive. Turn on the first road on the left (dirt drive). Follow that left as it ends into the boathouse.

Swimming Test

Basic swimming skills are required in the unlikely event a rower should go into the water. Prior to the beginning of the season, a swimming test is required for each rower. For safety reasons, if your student is unable to pass the swimming test, they will be unable to participate in Crew.

Practice Clothes

Rowing gear should be as minimal as a pair of shorts, tank top or t-shirt, and a pair of socks when your student is on the water. Clothing should be close fitting to minimize wind resistance and to prevent clothes from getting caught in the slides of the seat and oar handles while rowing. This is considered a potential safety hazard as well. In the event that their clothing does get caught within the oars, students could be thrown from the boat. In addition, slip-on sandals may be worn over socks. Sandals can be slipped off just before getting into a boat and slipped back on again before carrying the boat up from the docks. Crocs or athletic sandals are both good options. Tennis shoes should be brought to every practice in case erging or running is required during practice.
Layering of clothing usually works best for colder weather practices. Rowers will be instructed how to dress for the cold. Rowers are encouraged to always bring a bottle of water, even on cool days when there is not much sun. Sunscreen should be brought as well.

Dressing for races

As most of our regattas are during cooler temperatures, it is best to layer and be prepared for the worst. Warm sweatshirts, sweat pants and mud boots are always best. Bring extra socks to assure dry feet throughout the day. Uniforms are provided during races but will need to be returned to the tote prior to the end of the regatta. At no time should the uniform shirts travel home with your students.

Carpooling

Carpools are a necessity in order to transport rowers to and from practices, and are especially critical for ninth and tenth graders. Drivers should be aware that, even if their own child is ill or cannot attend practices, other athletes in the carpool still need to get to and from the boathouse, so alternate arrangements must be made when necessary. Rides will not be arranged or provided by the coaches or members of the board and MUST be organized prior to the start of the season.

Travel and Racing Information

Races are a part of both fall and spring seasons. Even novice rowers race and compete in certain events specifically designed for novices during a select few regattas. All JV and Varsity rowers on the team are expected to attend each regatta even if they are not racing that day. The only exception if the WOSSA Canada Regatta in May where only a select group of students are chosen to attend. If you cannot be present toa race for any reason, please notify your coaching staff as soon as possible. Bussing is not provided during most races as we do not have funding for this. We rely on carpooling as the best solution. All rowers are expected to remain at the regattas until the award ceremony unless otherwise discussed with the coaching staff prior to the beginning of the regatta.

Packing for a Regatta

Rowers:

Be prepared and make sure you check the weather. Some items to bring include: extra pairs of socks, sneakers and sandals, long sleeved t-shirt to wear under race uniforms in cold weather, several changes of clothes to layer for warmth or in case you get wet, warm jacket or hoodie, hat, water bottle, sunscreen, cell phone (to keep parents informed), blanket and spending money. Food will be provided at all regattas but students may want to purchase shirts and food from the carts. Please do not bring anything of extreme value. The coaching staff and crew board will not be responsible for lost or stolen items.

Typical Rower Race Day

Race day usually starts very early (around 7:00am) . Rowers will gather at the boat trailer to unload, rig and meet with their coaches to prepare for the day. It is imperative to be on time to every regatta so information is not missed. During the coaches meeting, rowers will learn their race times, plans, etc. Many rowers will race several races throughout the day. Healthy food options will be provided throughout the day for everyone participating in a race. This is to assist with keeping energy up while they are racing. Towards the end of the regatta, the team will begin to de-rig the boats and load them onto the trailer. The parent volunteer tear-down crew will break down the tents and pack up the equipment trailer. There will be a final meeting that will take place after the award ceremony so that coaching staff can go over results and discuss any other items that are important.

Boat lineups

Coaches spend weeks working on team rosters and boat lineup. Typically, the week prior to a regatta, the coaching staff will have heat races to qualify students to race and choose the best combination lineup that they feel will win. Coaches need to balance between trying to allow each athlete to race, and finding the fastest lineups to place. Additional factors weigh into this as well. The athlete’s attendance at practices, athletic ability, daily work ethic, attitude, technique and willingness to continue to develop skills make a positive effect on coaching considerations for seating in a boat. Lineups are a coaching decision and are not subject to debate.

Race Information for Parent

Go early and plan to stay all day

Parking is often limited at regatta sites so you want to arrive early to find space. Be prepared to walk longer distances if you arrive later in the day. If you are a chaperone, you must plan to stay all day as rowers are expected to be there when the boats arrive and stay until the boats are loaded at the end of the day.

Dress for everything

No matter the time of year, a long regatta day can have all types of weather. The better you prepare, the more you’ll enjoy the day. Mornings are almost always chilly and sometimes it’s a long day in the rain. Take plenty of layers and warm socks. A change of clothes or shoes are often needed if it’s raining. There is often mud even without rain. Bring a hat and a good pair of sunglasses – if the sun does come out you’ll be looking at water and the reflection can be very strong. You can never bring too many clothes (at least the first time).

Bring anything you might need

At most regattas there is no store nearby. Bring whatever personal items you might need, food/snacks, drinks, etc.
Restrooms are often port-a-potties so come prepared with toilet paper, hand-sanitizer, wipes if you prefer. Bring a collapsible chair.

How to watch the races

Be sure to get a race program when you arrive or look on the white board in our tent to find race times. There is typically a website you can go to for lineups and times. Look at the glossary of terms provided on this site to interpret the rowing terms or use your ignorance as a conversation starter with fellow parents. Your rower will walk with their boat down to the launch area at least an hour before the race. This can be a good time to take photos, but be careful to not get too near the boats and rowers as it can create confusion. For the next 45-60 minutes their boat will be off in the distance beyond what you can usually see. You will need binoculars to see the boats when they come down the course until the last 500 meters. Be sure to cheer them on as they do hear us from the boat! You will soon learn that taking pictures can be disappointing without a strong telephoto lens.

What to do the rest of the day

Regattas are almost always very long days. The best way to pass the time is to volunteer and socialize with other parents. We need help with set-up and tear down, with food prep and service, and there is cleaning up all day long. Sometimes parents are needed to run errands (pick up coffee, sandwiches, etc.). Bring a chair, a blanket and even a book or computer to pass the time. At some locations there are great trails and paths for walking, running or biking.

Keeping yourself nourished

We provide food for rowers and usually for chaperones. Regattas are not usually in areas with stores so bring enough food and drink for a full day if you are not eating at the tent. Bringing your own full water bottle is always a good idea.

Other things to know

The boat area can get very congested. It is meant for coaches and rowers who are rigging or derigging boats and getting ready for races. Use caution if you need to go through this area. Most large regattas sell T-shirts and other rowing gear. If you’re interested, buy early as they run out of sizes by the afternoon. It’s good to bring extra cash with you for vendors and parking as there won’t be ATMs nearby. It’s a good idea to pack and load the car the night before. Help your rower prepare the first time but encourage them to be independent in their sport. Mark all their clothes, especially their unis, with their names. They should only carry one bag with their things – with 100’s of rowers it can get very chaotic and personal items often get lost.

Volunteering

The involvement of our crew parents is crucial to the success of our team. There will be a Sign up Genius generated a week prior to every race to request participation for food donations for race day. You are not obligated to participate but it is greatly appreciated if you do.
Additional needs are outlined below.

Hauler: Provide a pick-up truck capable of hauling the boat and equipment trailer to and from a race.

Cook: Our food coordinator provides the menu and supplies you will need. All you have to do is be attentive to cooking the food. Cooking positions are available in shifts throughout the day of the regatta.

Server: Servers keep the food coming and the tables clean. They are responsible for keeping the team fed throughout the day. It requires only 1-3 hours volunteering and several parents can work together to get this job done.

Set-Up Team: This responsibility occurs a little before the team arrives at the regatta. This job requires you to set up tents, grill and food prep station, food tables, etc. Get your volunteer task in early and relax and enjoy the rest of the day.

Tear-Down Team: During the last hour of the regatta, the site and kitchen gets packed up while the rowers are busy getting the boats ready to head home. Perfect for those who cannot attend the entire regatta but can come towards the end of the day.

Fundraising: Each season our fundraising coordinator organizes several fundraising projects. There is often a need for adults to participate in many of our fundraising opportunities. It is a great way to spend some time with your student and get to know some of the other students and parents as well.

Be a board member: You can take great pride in knowing that you are helping to grow our team and make crucial decisions to guide the future of the team. You can spend as little as just a few hours a month working to generate ideas and develop new strategies to continue to lead this team to success. Please contact a board member if you are interested in finding out more information.