Crew is the sport of rowing a boat (shell) as fast as it will go.  At South County we will be rowing sweep boats (one oar per rower) and in the future sculling boats (two oars per rower).  The sweep boats have 4 or 8 rowers and will be commanded by a coxswain (pronounced: "cox’-un") sitting in the back of the boat.

Rowing is a total body workout. Rowing only looks like an upper body sport. Although upper body strength is important, the strength of the rowing stroke comes from the legs.  Rowing is one of the few athletic activities that involve all of the body's major muscle groups.  It is a great aerobic workout, in the same vein as cross-country skiing, and is a low-impact sport on the joints.  Rowing requires a near-perfect blend of power in the delivery of each stroke, coordination in the balance of the boat, timing of the delivery of the strokes and endurance in the ability to sustain that output for 1500 meters in a race.  The physical demands of coordinating the legs, back, upper torso and arms for each stroke, up to 35 strokes per minute over a race lasting between 4 and 8 minutes is unlike any other athletic endeavor.

Rowers are probably the world's best athletes. Rowing looks graceful, elegant and sometimes effortless when it is done well.  Don't be fooled!  Rowers haven't been called the world's most physically fit athletes for nothing.  The sport demands endurance, strength, balance, mental discipline, and an ability to continue on when your body is demanding that you stop.  Crew also imparts a sense of focus, concentration and time management, which carries over to better performance in almost all aspects of other activities including academics.

Teamwork is number one. Rowing isn't a great sport for athletes looking for MVP status.  Teamwork is critical in rowing.  A boat's success is dependent on all rowers putting forth 100% effort, in perfect coordination.  The athlete trying to stand out in an eight will only make the boat slower.  The crew made up of individuals willing to sacrifice their personal goals for the team will stand on the medal podium toge

Boat selection. There are a limited number of seats available in each shell as well as restrictions on how many and what kind of races the team can participate in at regattas.  Therefore, all team members may not race at every regatta.  Coaches will determine boat seat assignments to create the fastest boats.  Evaluation for boat selection will be based on the following:

For Rowers: Attitude, consistency, attendance, ergometer scores, racing experience and past   performance, seat racing results, subjective analysis of boat moving ability.

For Coxswains: Attitude, consistency, attendance, leadership and motivation, racing performance and past performance, steering, technical knowledge of racing.

In order to be considered for an upper boat (first, second or lightweight eight or four) rowers must be doing land training daily and showing up for water practices daily, including during Spring Break.

Items for Rowers to Bring to Regatta:  a change of clothes, a small amount of money (if you want to purchase food or tee shirt,etc.), sunscreen, rain gear, inhalers / required medicine.

Local regattas: The coaches will tell each boat what time to arrive at the race site.  Be on time.  Plan ahead and expect to wait in long lines to enter the site, to park, to ride the shuttle bus and other logistics.  If you are late, your boat may not be able to race.  Make sure you are in the proper racing attire (unisuit and compression shirt) and behave appropriately exhibiting the highest standards of sportsmanship.  Cursing can disqualify your boat – use appropriate language both on and off the water.

Rowers will be required to stay at the regatta until released by the coaches.  The coaches will not release rowers until all equipment and boats are stowed, tents are down and team area is cleaned.  Rowers should plan on being at the race site until at least mid afternoon.

Regattas outside the local area: Sometimes the team will travel to regattas outside the local area.  Transportation to these regattas is typically by bus (either school bus or commercial charter) but at times may be by parent car pools.  Information regarding the individual regattas will be handed out as the regattas approach.  It is expected that rowers will volunteer to load boats and equipment onto the trailer before the trip, and to unload and stow boats and equipment upon return to Fairfax County.

Stotesbury Cup Regatta – Philadelphia: Each May select members of the team may travel to Philadelphia to compete in the oldest and largest high school regatta.  There is an additional cost per rower to participate in this 3 day, 2 night event.  Coaches will identify which rowers will be invited to compete at Stotesbury, and will notify these rowers with sufficient lead time so as to allow for preparations for the trip.

Scholastic Nationals: At the end of the regular crew season, selected boats are invited to attend the Scholastic Nationals.  This 3 day, 2 night event is held in a different city each year.  If any of our boats are invited and the coaches determine that the boat would be competitive, members of the boat will be invited to participate.  This is a voluntary trip and there is an additional cost per rower to go.