STATES - LAST CHANCE SWIM TESTING - WAIVERS NEEDED - FAQs - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - ATTACHMENTS!

Post date: Apr 25, 2014 4:05:44 PM

Athletes & Parents:

As we begin on the water practices, it occurred to me that we are just two weeks away from competing in the New York State Scholastic Championships. This event is the event we begin preparing for in the fall, condition for in the winter and now strive to prove ourselves at in the spring. With that said, exemplary attendance is now not just required, but essential to our success.

For our parents, we wanted to get the cost for states out as soon as possible. Behind the scenes, there has been a lot of activity centered around this event. I was asked to break down the costs per athlete so that you have a better understanding of the amount that we will be requesting per athlete.

Partial Travel Expense $17.50 *

Hotel Costs $95.20

Breakfast Saturday incl.in hotel cost

Breakfast Sunday incl.in hotel cost

Group Dinner Friday $15.00

Dinner Saturday - TBD $20.00

Food at trailer Saturday $10.00

Food at trailer Sunday $10.00

Total per athlete $167.70 rounded up $170 per athlete

* Last year we rented a Grand Tours bus for Saratoga. We will be doing the same this year. City Honors Crew will cover most of the $3,617.00 expense, but are also asking for a small portion from each athlete to help offset the cost.

Additionally, we will leave from City Honors School on Friday May 9th. This day will be an excused absence signed off on by Dr. Kresse. Even though we will be meeting in the school parking lot (time to be determined), no athlete is to check into any class that morning.

IB/AP TESTS (varsity):

The only athletes who will not be on the excused absence list are the following:

Hannah Annunziata

Leanna Gradolph

Maddie Hamilton

Bella Zionts

Deniz Dosluoglu

Conn Sullivan

Kirk Walek

The above listed were provided to me by Ms. Tanevski as those who will be taking either Statistics or the IB Biology tests at noon. If I missed anyone, please let me know right away. Since these tests last approximately 3 hours, these athletes will have an alternate form of transportation to states to be finalized this week. They will however, check in at 8:30 a.m. with the rest of the team and ride the bus back to City Honors after states on Sunday.

SWIM TESTING (modified, novice & varsity):

All athletes must have completed and passed swim testing in order to compete at states or any other regatta. A make-up swim test date has been set for Tuesday, April 29th at 7:00 AM in the City Honors Pool. All morning practices have been canceled on this day in order to accommodate your attendance at this mandatory swim test. Attached is a list of those athletes who have already passed the test. If your name is not listed, you must attend this swim testing in regular crew clothes.

WAIVERS NEEDED ASAP(novice & varsity only):

All competing and alternate athletes MUST complete the US Rowing waiver ASAP on-line. Please go to the link below and electronically sign the waiver for your child. When you get to the site and enter the athlete code you search for your child by entering last name and their birthdate. That will pull up info. After making any updates necessary (Make sure you name yourself as an emergency contact). It will let you check the box to sign the waiver. All the kids attending states need to do this in order to compete.

Unless you plan to try out for the JR National or national team, you do not need to complete the anti-doping video.

Have your athletes sign their online USRowing waivers in two easy steps:

1. Visit https://rosters.usrowing.org

2. Enter the ATHLETE code: GCXFE

MONEY MATTERS (competitive team only):

City Honors Crew spring payment deadline is April 30th.

    1. Fall/Spring rower $160/spring 2014 - If you rowed in the Fall, this
    2. is your fee
    3. Spring only rower $220/spring 2014 - If you did not row this past
    4. fall, this is your fee.
    5. All dues must be received in order for your athlete to compete in
    6. any regattas. Instructions attached.

Separate Cost for States

As described above, the cost for States is $170 per athlete. Please plan to pay your athletes balance by May 7th.

Submit payments to:

City Honors Crew

651 Delaware Avenue #222

Buffalo, NY 14202

OR online at https://www.sites.google.com/site/cityhonorsrowing/. Simply hit the donate button and include your athletes name in the notes. i.e.: “States Payment for Joe Smith”

VOLUNTEERS (modified, novice & varsity):

We need and rely upon volunteers to be successful. We asked that each family volunteer at least once each regatta season and if possible more than once. Please see the attached scope of duties and contact

Kristen Mendoza to let her know where you can help!

MOTHER’S DAY (novice & varsity):

I realize Sunday May 11th is Mother’s Day. For those of you who are new to the crew program, welcome to the first of many mother’s days spent in Saratoga! Some parents attending states may want to have their child ride back with them. Our varsity athletes will have finals on Sunday and the entire team is expected to stay to cheer their team on. However, if any family member attends states and would like their child to drive home with them after our last finals event, that is okay. I will just need to know who they are prior to them being released. Friends are not allowed to drive back with other families. They will be required to ride the bus back.

The following includes as much information as I could think that you will need for us to have a successful weekend. If I miss anything please let me know.

STATES FAQs (novice & varsity)::

    1. When do we leave? Friday, May 9th

All Athletes: need to check in at the bus no later than 8:30 a.m.

Please make sure to put your athletes name on all luggage to

make it easier when checking in at the hotel.

Parents of IB Math Students: Please plan to check in your athlete and their luggage at 8:30a.m

with the team. Our goal is to have their luggage put on the bus as well.

This should make the alternate form of transportation less crowded.

IB/AP Students: Good Luck on your exam! After you have completed the exam,

please move swiftly to the parking lot as your ride will be waiting for you.

Late Athletes: The bus will leave at 9:00 a.m.

If you miss the bus, you will need to find alternate transportation

to Saratoga.

    1. What will I need for Check-in? Copy of medical insurance card with emergency contact number written on the same sheet of paper

    1. Is there practice Friday morning? No. All of our boats will be on their way to Saratoga

    1. What is the race schedule for the weekend? See the attached schedule from 2013. This is the proposed schedule for 2014. If there are any changes, I will forward the final schedule at that time.

    1. How many boats move forward to semi’s/finals? It depends on the race. It’s either 6, 12 or 18 move on – sometimes 2. Please see attached schedule.
    2. Have line-ups been finalized? No. They will not be finalized until May 7th. After we have spoken with all athletes directly, we will post final lineups on regattacentral.com under the event.
    3. Why are line-ups finalized so last minute? Our goal is to have our priority boats have the fastest line up possible. With that said we seat race right up until the time the line ups are due. This allows our selection process to

be fair to all athletes. Yes, we often have a strong idea of the ideal line ups. However, there are times one or two seats still need to be finalized.

    1. Is it possible that I will not race at states? Yes. After our A boats are set, we will attempt to make as many competitive boats as we can. However, we will also need alternates. Even if you do not make a boat, states is an
      1. amazing and fun experience for the whole team.
    2. Can I compete in more than one event? No. Our athletes are only able to race in one sweep event. The exception to that rule are those athletes who are also eligible to race in a sculling event. Athletes who began
      1. sculling this summer would be able to race twice. As of today, this only applies to potentially 3 athletes. However, this does not mean that all three athletes will compete in both types of events. This is to be determined. Coxswains can only cox one event – hopefully two, sometimes 3 races.(trials, semis and finals)
    3. What time is the coach’s and coxswain meeting? One hour before the first race of each day: Saturday it's at 6:30am, and Sunday it's at 7:00am.
    4. How will the coxswain and coaches get to the coxswain meeting? They will head over in cars before the athletes head over in the bus.
    5. What should I pack? See the attached list of recommended items. Also plan for rain and wind.
    6. What’s the weather suppose to be like? Looks rainy all weekend. Winds at 10-13mph both days. Cross Saturday, Head Sunday. But who knows. Expect rain/wind, and be happy with anything better.
    7. What’s the fastest way to get result? Posted fastest on twitter @nysrowing
    8. What’s the competition going to be like? Last year there were 605 entries & 76 teams. Final numbers won’t be available until May 7th
    9. If we win, will we get a medal? All events will have Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for HS & Club boats (each). Teams will be identified as one or the other on the Semi's, and Finals sheets.
    10. Does the winning team get a trophy? No.
    11. Will we get to practice before racing? Yes. When we arrive in Saratoga, we will rig boats as quickly as possible and get a practice run in. Please note, we must be off the water by 7:30pm. Please find Practice Map

attached. Coxswains please know the practice pattern before we launch

    1. What’s the traffic pattern on the water? All Head Racing boats will travel to the start up Lanes 0-2. They will use Lanes 4 & 5 for the Time Trials.

    1. What are the rules for Lee’s Park & Lee’s Park Dock? No speeding in Lee's Park (keep it 5mph). NO vehicles down near the water/food tents. They will be towing cars.

NOBODY is allowed out on Lee's Park's docks. He is not insured for us to be out there, and considers it trespassing.

He WILL remove people from the Park for the weekend if it happens.

If a team cannot control their kids from going out there, he has threatened to remove their Team Tents as well.

    1. Are the races Time Trial starts? Time Trials for all races except the 160lbs Men’s events. All Semi's and Finals will use Stake Boats.
    2. How do I get into a stake boat? Some help attached (2 files) and here: http://www.9thseat.com/novice-coxswain/stake-boats-101/ (and here) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnuerkkAoaE (and

here) http://readyallrow.wordpress.com/tag/stake-boat/

Coaches will practice next week with those who have not done this type of start before.

    1. Who am I rooming with? You will be assigned rooms of 4-5 athletes. You will not be able to select your room assignment as we assign based on the boat line ups.

    1. My parents didn’t book a hotel. Are there rooms left? There are still rooms available at the Comfort Suites. However, if by the time you call, there are not. Try anyone of the following:

Courtyard by Marriott - Saratoga Springs

Econolodge - Lake George

Union Gables B & B

Maple Shade B & B

HIlton Garden Inn - Troy

Marriott Albany

Springhill Marriott - Albany

Gideon Putnam - Saratoga Springs

Hyatt Place - Saratoga/Malta

Hampton Inn - Lake George

Clarion Inn - Lake George

Their contact information can be found on our website - click here

    1. When will we be derigging & loading trailer? Varsity will derig and load Thursday morning. 5:30am to 7:30am

Novice will derig and load Thursday after school. 2:45- 4:45 pm

All athletes should bring their running shoes to practice. After loading we will have a team run.

    1. Sunday is Mother’s Day. Can we leave with a parent
      1. Versus riding the bus home? Yes. However, your parent must sign you out.
    2. Can I ride home with someone else’s parent if they ask me on Sunday? No parent other than your parent may sign you out.
    3. What time will we come home? This depends on our varsity boats. If crews qualify, we will all stay until after their finals have concluded. For parents not attending, we will have the kids send a

text when we depart Saratoga to meet us at City Honors’ school parking lot

    1. What are we doing about uniforms? Everyone will need black compression shorts and their CHC tank and long sleeve technical shirt. If you do not yet have yours, please see me at practice this Saturday.

Also please wear your City Honors Crew T-shirt for travel & practice at the course on Friday.

    1. Is there anything else I need to know? Probably. This is all I could think of today. Please shoot me any questions and I will send a follow up email with responses to the entire group.

GO CENTAURS!!

Coach Kim