Regatta 101

Most of our races or regattas are held on Saturdays at Sandy Run Regional Park from March through May. TJ parents gather at the grand stands and help cheer on the rowers and coxwains. Each regatta is run by volunteers, and we have a reputation of being wonderful volunteers who are always ready to help. We do have one or two travel regattas in the schedule every year. You can find the 2024 regatta schedule here.

Regattas are exciting events for our team, as each regatta is an opportunity to see how our boats have progressed. Each and every rower gets to race during the season: there are no "benched" rowers. However, a boat may not be able to race if it is missing one of its rowers or its coxswain and no one is available to substitute. It's imperative that members of our team make a real effort to make it to every regatta.

In the spring, high school rowers race 1500 meter races. The course is divided into 6 lanes by buoy lines, with large orange buoys marking the finish. 

On race day, the start dock is set up and stakeholders are stationed in order to hold boats in place.  Launches (motorboats) driven by referees are on the course just in case anything goes wrong. 

For Rowers:

Rowers and Coxswains should wear uniforms on regatta days and bring your food tent assignments.  A large refillable water bottle is a MUST. Additional layers and dry socks are also recommended. There are changing cubbies available at the boathouse. Early on in the season, it may be very cold out. Temperatures tend to be even lower on the water, and there's nothing worse than having to race on cold, stiff muscles. Check out our performance clothing here for TJ Crew tech shirts, fleeces, and other useful stuff. As the season gets warmer, you should plan to pack sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Last but not least, don't forget to bring toilet paper and hand sanitizer - the portable toilets at the river run out of both of theese pretty quickly!

For Parents: 

Dress for the weather as we will be outdoors the entire time! A hat, sunscreen, binoculars, jacket, camera, and water are recommended. You may also buy and bring a seat cushion from TJ crew as they are comfy! Traveling light is best, and good walking shoes are a MUST if you plan to walk to the Grandstands.

Coaches expect rowers to arrive at least 2 hours prior to their race time. Coxwains are expected to arrive earlier to attend coxswain meetings. Since parking for Sandy Run is closed during regattas, parents should drop off students at designated drop-off spot 2.5 hours prior to rower's race time. Coxwains should be dropped off at the designated drop-off spot 45 minutes prior to their meeting times. 

Parking at Sandy Run Regional Park during home regattas is reserved ONLY for Coaches, Rowers, and VASRA volunteers. On-site visitor parking is NOT available.  All spectator parking is at South County High School or the Route 123 Commuter Parking lot.  There is a shuttle bus from South County to Sandy Run that will cost $15 per person round trip.  South County High School is located at 8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA 22079.   

There are regattas this season (2023) where the South County Parking lot will not be available.  Parking will be at the commuter parking lot at Old Bridge Road and Rt. 123.  The regattas with parking at the commuter lot at Regional Park (3/25), Ted Phoenix (4/15), Rzy Obuchowicz (4/22) and Al Urquia (4/29). 

A bus service is offered from South County High School, or the Route 123 Commuter Parking lot, to Lot C in Sandy Run Regional Park approximately every 20 minutes. Cost is $15/person round trip for non-athletes, and free for athletes in uniform. When you enter the parking lot, look for signs, the shuttle buses (not school buses) and the parking personnel who will be wearing reflective vests. 

Give yourself 90 -120 minutes to get from parking locations to the grandstands. Plan well ahead so you don't miss the race. There is a shuttle from Lot C to the Finish line if needed, one way $5. Athletes and parents in the same vehicle – either have the athlete drop off parents at the parking locations and then drive to Sandy Run and park, or drive to Sandy Run to be dropped off and then a parent drive to the parking locations and park. Unfortunately, VASRA doesn't allow parking onsite for athletes/parents in the same vehicle. We encourage rowers to carpool.

Additional parking information can be found at https://www.vasra.org/regattas/parking.

VASRA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) association. This organization serves to promote scholastic rowing among high schools in Virginia. VASRA is the organization that runs all of our home regattas. We are required to help VASRA by volunteering for races. Every crew family is required to volunteer at least once during the season. You can sign up to volunteer on this signup genius page. Free parking at Sandy Run is available to those volunteering that day. See https://www.vasra.org/ for more details about VASRA and the different volunteer positions.