Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is rowing all about?
A: Rowing is a competitive team sport that combines endurance, strength, skill, and teamwork. Athletes race in shells (boats) with four or eight rowers, guided by a coxswain who steers and leads the crew. On special occasions, athletes may also race in smaller boats such as singles and doubles. Races are typically 1,500 meters in the spring season. To learn more, visit usrowing.org.
Q: My student has never rowed before. Can they jump into this now?
A: Absolutely, the answer is yes. In fact, the beauty of high school rowing is that it’s one of the few sports where almost everyone starts in their teen years. For the first year, your rower will be known as a novice and will row in a boat with other novices. You will be amazed by the growth in your rower by the end of even one season. All are welcome and encouraged.
Q: Do I need to be a good athlete to row?
A: No prior athletic experience is necessary. If you’re willing to work hard and can pass a basic swim test (100m swim + 5 minutes of treading water), you can row. Rowing builds endurance, strength, discipline, and teamwork — all of which will grow through training.
Q: What is the time commitment for rowers?
A: Rowing is a spring sport, but rowers are highly encouraged to also participate in winter conditioning, so they can hit the ground running when the season officially begins in mid-February. Winter conditioning is three days a week at the high school, running from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. with some exceptions. When the spring season begins, practice is every weekday, moving to the water when weather permits. Those practices tend to get longer as the sun sets later. Regattas occur every Saturday beginning in mid-March and continuing into early May.
Q: Does everyone really need to be at all these practices? It’s… a lot.
A: In short, yes. Naturally, students who have conflicting school activities that necessitate occasional absences are accommodated if they give advance notice (2 days). They should coordinate with the coaches to keep them informed. However, it’s important to remember that your rower is a member of a small team in a boat. When one rower is out, a substitute must be made or the boat can’t go on the water that day.
Q: How do rowers get to and from all these practices… especially the practices at the water?
A: This is a great question! Most parents of new rowers find their way into a carpool. This is especially important when a parent or an upperclass rower with a license must transport your student to Beaverdam in time for after school practice. We’ve found that the best strategy is to help connect parents who live somewhatnear each other. With a few rowers in each carpool, you can decide amongst yourselves who is best positioned to get the rowers to Beaverdam and home in the evening. We will do our best to help the carpools find each other, and anyone with a major issue should ask for help.
Q: As a parent, what kind of commitment am I making?
A: The only reason this team can exist is because of the efforts of supportive families. This experience is what we make it. What we ask of you is that you do your absolute best to support the team in whatever way you can. There are myriad opportunities to pitch in, from volunteering at regattas to helping with fundraising or serving on the board.
We will share opportunities with you and provide support to help you get involved. Many of us were new once too, so we know it can feel intimidating at first — but we assure you that no prior knowledge is needed. Simply being willing to help is what keeps this program alive.
Q: When does the season begin and how long does it last?
A: Rowing is a spring sport. Winter conditioning begins in November and runs three days a week at Rock Ridge High School (4:30–6:30 p.m.). The spring season officially begins in mid-February with weekday practices, moving to the water at Beaverdam Reservoir when weather permits. Practices may run longer as daylight increases.
Regattas are held on Saturdays from mid-March through early May. Regattas are full-day events, so please plan accordingly. Sundays are rest days.
Q: Do I have to try out?
A: No prior rowing experience is required, and we accept all interested and motivated students. However, rowers must meet basic requirements to compete on the water:
– Pass the swim test
– Complete paperwork and pay fees
– Maintain academic eligibility
– Attend practices consistently
– Participate in fundraising
The coaches may make final roster decisions if the team size exceeds what can be managed safely.
Q: What is the cost to participate?
These fees cover equipment, coaching salaries, boat storage, and regatta expenses. Rowing is expensive because shells, oars, ergs, and cox boxes are highly specialized equipment, and our program is fully self-funded.
A: For the 2026 spring season, these are the estimated costs:
– Registration: $250
– Spring season fee: $1,300
– Ergathon fundraising commitment: $400
– Uniforms/spirit wear: $200
Additional recommended costs:
– Winter conditioning: $400
– Stotesbury Regatta (if qualified): $600 (estimated)
Q: Do parents and athletes both need to participate in fundraising?
A: Yes. Each rower has a $400 fundraising commitment through the Ergathon.
Students and parents are expected to participate, or families may choose to donate the amount directly.
Q: Where are regattas held?
A: Most local regattas are on the Occoquan River at Sandy Run Regional Park (Fairfax Station, VA). Travel time is about 50 minutes from Rock Ridge. Parking is onsite for a fee.
We typically attend 4–5 local regattas each spring, plus the Stotesbury Cup Regatta in Philadelphia for qualified boats.
Q: How do spectators watch regattas?
A: The best viewing spot is the grandstands at Sandy Run, overlooking the last 500 meters of the course. You can walk about ¾ of a mile from Lot C on a gravel path, or take a shuttle (small fee, cash recommended). Concessions are usually available onsite, and it’s highly encouraged to bring cash.
Q: I still have so many questions and am not familiar with rowing/crew. Am I really suited to this?
A: This is completely normal. Rowing is a highly specialized sport that many of us have never experienced before coming to an informational interest meeting. Several of your board members had novice rowers just last year. We get it! No question is too basic. We assure you that you will be vastly more comfortable by the end of your first season, and nobody expects you to know about rowing as a new parent. All we ask is that you be willing to learn.
- Regatta Questions (Updated 11/4/2025)