Regatta FAQs

Generally, the students need to be there 2 hours before their race time. The coaches will tell the kids, week to week, when they have to be there. It is critical that your athlete BE ON TIME and dressed in his or her uniform. One late person jeopardizes the entire boat. When in doubt, please email coach@riversidecrew.org 

The race schedule is announced either Thursday night or early Friday, so we’ll have a good estimate for each race starting time. On occasion, the heat sheets can change Saturday morning right before the regatta start and/or during the regatta due to inclement weather. Follow @VASRA_SRRP on X for real time information and changes.

Parent tip: We’ll send out a link once the schedule is posted. We recommend you download the schedule and print it. 

VASRA regattas support races in several different skill levels and boat configurations: Usually you will see events schedules using the format (Gender-Designation-Number of Rowers – M-1-8). If there is an X after the number of rowers, it designates that it is a sculling event vice a sweep event. If there is a + following the number, it means that the boat includes a coxswain. In a sculling event, each rower has two oars. In a sweep event, each rower has 1 oar. Sculling events do not normally have coxswains (although they can). The number of rowers will be 8, 4, 2 or 1. The different skill levels you will see on the schedule are:

● 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th (perhaps 5th). Larger programs have enough rowers to enter multiple boats in the same category, so you will see designations such as M-1-8, M-2-8, etc. With a few exceptions for new programs, schools have to follow the progression in order (they can’t have a M-2-8 without a M-1-8). There have been

regattas in the past where a school’s top boats are rowing in a different regatta so they are allowed to enter a lower boat (2nd 8) without participation of a 1st 8.

● JR. Nobody in the boat can be a Senior or older than 17.

● N. Novice. All of the rowers must be in their first year of rowing. They do not have to be a Freshman. There have been instances of upperclassmen being new to rowing, or some programs allow 8th graders to row.

● FR. Freshman. All rowers in the boat must be in the 9th grade.

If you’ve ever been to a swim meet, regattas are similar. There are six racing lanes, so each “heat” can contain up to six boats. If there are more than six boats in a category, there will be more than one heat. 

Local regattas take place on the Occoquan River at Sandy Run Regional Park in Fairfax County. 

The first races generally start at 9:00 a.m. Regattas usually last into the afternoon; the larger regattas can last into late afternoon. 

There are Grandstands located near the finish line. They are concrete, so it is suggested that you bring a cushion. There is also room in front of, and to the side of the grandstands where you can set up a lawn chair. There is also a small viewing area next to the Finish Line Building that is reserved for coaches (don’t be surprised if you choose to sit there and are asked to move).

○ There is a shuttle bus that runs from the “C” lot to the Finish Line ($5.00 each way). It is a short walk from the Finish Line to the Grandstands.

○ There is a walking trail. You can enter the trail from the “C” lot or from the boathouses. It is approximately 1 mile from the Boathouses and ½ Mile from the “C” lot.

High school crew races are typically 1500 meters in length. 

A six boat heat can last anywhere between 4-9 minutes depending on how many rowers are in a boat. Scully heats take the longest as there is only one rower in the boat. Eight boat heats are the quickest.  

On-site parking is reserved for athletes, coaches, buses, staff, volunteers, and disabled persons. There is no fee for onsite parking for the following:

• Athlete Parking: Athletes will park in Loisvale Lot. 

• Coaches Parking: Coaches will park in the designated area of D Lot. 

• Staff /LOC Parking: B Lot, second row from the back.

• Volunteer Parking: D Lot.

• ADA Parking: Lot C

There is no on-site visitor parking at Sandy Run Regional Park.  All spectator parking is at South County High School or the Route 123 Commuter Parking lot.  There is a shuttle bus from the parking location to Sandy Run that will cost $10 per person each way. 

Our suggestion for the shuttle bus to save money is to have your driver drop you and the rest of the passagners off at Sandy Run then take the shuttle this way only one person in your party have to incur the $20 cost. They will do the same when leaving at the end of the regatta.

South County High School is located at 8501 Silverbrook Rd, Lorton, VA 22079. When the South County Parking lot is not be available, parking will be at the commuter parking lot at Old Bridge Road and Rt. 123 

Please allow extra time for parking when using the commuter parking lot. Rowers in Uniform can ride the off-site shuttle (both locations) for free. 

Athletes and spectators can be dropped off and picked up in Lot D. Carpooling is encouraged. VASRA also strongly encourages dropping off everyone in the car at Lot D and having only one person park at South County HS to shorten the lines for the shuttle.

Spectators should wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers, as it is often chilly in the mornings but warm in the afternoons. DO NOT BRING PETS. 

• Sunscreen 
• Blanket for the early regattas (optional) 
• Water bottle 
• Jacket/umbrella 
• Binoculars 
• Hand sanitizer
• Hat
• Padded seat or collapsible chair
• Small bills for concessions and grandstand shuttle – they are cash only 

On regatta days, we set up the Riverside Crew canopy near the boathouse parking lot. It serves as a place for the athletes to relax before and after their race and to urge one another on. We provide nutritional support for the rowers, with parents signing up to donate the food and drinks. We aim for relatively healthy food that the kids can eat easily, as donuts and Skittles aren’t good food choices right before a race.  

No. Parents, siblings, or spectators are allowed in team tent area. 

○ Not really. There are no paths or sitting areas beyond the Grandstands.

○ There is a point of land (we call it The Point) beyond the Grandstands, but it is limited to athletes, coaches and VASRA volunteers. The Point is usually populated by teams from the Prince William, Bull Run or Loudoun County boathouses.

● For Safety, please stay off the docks

Near the Grandstand you will find programs and race schedules, T-shirt vendors, and a concession stand selling hot and cold drinks and food. 

The Grandstand offers an excellent view of the finish, but binoculars will help you see more of the race. You may wait two hours to see a five-minute race, two minutes of which you can see without binoculars. But it’s an exciting 2 minutes, and well worth the wait.  You can cheer for all the Robinson Crew boats and learn a little something of what Crew is really all about.

The first thing you MUST do is sign in at the volunteer sign-up area in front of VASRA HQ in the boathouse area ONE HOUR in advance of your position start time. If you fail to sign in, Riverside will be fined for not fulfilling our obligation, even if you completed your volunteer duties. 

Parent tip: Do not bring young children with you to your assignment. Children are not allowed to accompany parents on any assignment, including concession stands, due to insurance requirements. 

Email vounters@riversidecrew.org.

Email concessions@vasra.org.