1. How many kids are on the team?
   The team typically has between 80 and 90 students.  The goal of the Crew Boosters is to allow all students who register and pass the swimming test, have an academic average of C or better, and pass their physical exam to participate in the program. The primary limitation on the number of students that can be on the team is the number of coaches and good equipment. To maintain appropriate safety for all involved, the LB Boosters attempts to have approximately one coach for every 20 students. In this way, we can have coaches on the water and monitoring land training during practices at Bull Run Marina.
   
    
2. How do I learn about the Crew program?
   Parents and students interested in learning about the Crew program should try to attend the Crew Interest and Registration Meetings announced at the beginning of the school year and on the Lake Braddock Crew Web site (www.bruincrew.com). Additionally, interested parents and students should read the team handbook which can be downloaded from the web site (click on Handbook on the Home Page).
   
    
3. How do I join the Crew program?
   Students who wish to join the Crew team must submit a completed Registration packet to the Crew Mailbox in the LBSS Activities Office, pass a swim test, and meet academic and physical eligibility, financial and service requirements. Registration materials are available on this web site (click on Registration on the Home Page) and are also distributed to new members at the Interest and Registration meetings. 
   
    
4. Does it cost anything to join the Crew team?
   As a club sport, the Crew team receives no financial sponsorship from the school system or Fairfax County, relying solely on donations, parental support and funds received from the Lake Braddock Crew Boosters and their friends. To properly support the functions of the team, including hiring coaches and purchasing and maintaining equipment, the team must charge a registration fee. Our goal is to minimize this fee as much as possible by concentrating on fundraising efforts. For the current year's registration fees, see the Registration section of this website.
   
    
5. Are there family requirements for participation in Crew?
   
   Yes. This is a club sport and it requires family participation. All families are required to participate in service hours and in fundraising activities. Mandatory requirements are easily achieved by family participation to run Regattas, to participate in Booster Club activities, to help on various team committees, and to volunteer for marina grounds clean-up at Bull Run Marina and equipment maintenance. Because of this requirement, our expense to field a crew team and participate in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) Regattas is minimal and all our families are able to enjoy the crew activities.
   
    
6. Are there "cuts" from the program, and if so, when will the "cuts" take place?
   
   There are no "cuts" per se.  Currently a student is not allowed to participate if he/she cannot pass the swimming test or does not otherwise maintain physical and academic eligibility. For safety reasons, it is essential that all students participating in the program be able to swim, and be physically/academically qualified. 
   
   To date, students who register by the due date and fulfill all financial and service obligations are eligible to participate fully in the crew program. However, if future interest in the program exceeds our ability to hire qualified coaches, then fair and equitable cut procedures will be instituted. This is a coach/board decision and if implemented will be announced prior to the season. 
   
    
7. What are the service requirements to become a member of the crew team?
   
   To be a member in good standing, each family must contribute to the crew team by meeting certain mandatory service requirements. Additionally, there are also a great number of volunteer opportunities available. Mandatory service requirements may vary from year to year, but typically include family participation in: the Letter Writing Campaign and Plant Sale, working one of the Bull Run Marina clean-up days held in February, working at least one Regatta job during the season, helping support the Pancake Breakfasts at McDonalds, and working the Bull Run Marina close-up day held in June.   Additionally, there are a number of other volunteer opportunities that parents are requested to help with including participation in Board Member and/or committee positions.
   
    
8. What is the Swim Test and who takes it?
   
   The swim test consists of two parts-the first is a 100 meters swim (any stroke and untimed), and the second is a two-minute tread water test. It is required for students who want to row and have never been a member of the Lake Braddock Crew Team. The entire test must be taken dressed in a T-shirt, shorts and socks, to simulate what a crew participant wears during rowing.  The test is normally administered during the January-February timeframe each year.  Specific dates and times are announced in advance.
   
    
9. Is there an alternate date for the Swim Test?
   
   Yes, due to the busy schedules of students, parents, Crew Booster volunteers and the pool staff, an alternate date will normally be available.  Keep in mind that the first date is the "official" test, and allows participants to participate fully in practice. The alternate date is dependent on pool staff who help us, and may or may not be scheduled prior to the first practice session.
   
    
10. How long does the Swim Test take, and where is it held? 
    
    The swim test is held at either Wakefield Recreation Center or South Run Recreation Center. The actual center is announced at the general registration meeting. Please plan on approximately one hour from arrival and check-in to finish. 
    
     
11. How long is the Crew Season?
    
    The Crew season officially begins in mid-February and runs until the latter part of May. There are 9-10 Regattas (competitive races) beginning on or about the third week of March.  Not all athletes compete in every regatta since some are restricted to upper-level boats and/or some are championship events requiring qualification.  To prepare the team for the rigors of rowing, an optional Winter Conditioning Program is also conducted. Winter Conditioning typically begins in early December and runs to the beginning of the official crew season. See the Calendar of Events on this website for the specific dates for the current year.
    
     
12. How, when and where does the team practice?
    Winter Conditioning Program will be held at the Lake Braddock School from early December to the start of the regatta season. See the Calendar of Events for the specific dates for the current year. Practice days and times will be announced prior to commencement of practice.  Once the official start of the crew season begins, practices will normally be held at Bull Run Marina but as the weather can be unpredictable at this time of year changes of venus may be announced via mass email notification and the crew website at www.bruincrew.com. 
    
     
13. Does the whole team participate in every Regatta?
    
    Our goal is that the entire team will participate in every Regatta as long as the athletes are qualified and attend practice regularly. However, there are times when not everyone will get the chance to row at a Regatta. During the course of a regatta, race officials may determine that weather conditons have deteriorated to the point where the participation of lower boats (typically manned by novice rowers) is not worth the exposure to risk ...the safety of our rowers is paramount and not a subject of compromise. Also, we have a set number of seats in the boats to fill and the coaches will determine who has progressed enough in their proficiency to earn a seat. Additionally, if a rower has missed practice due to illness or other reason, the coaches may decide to sit the rower out or place the rower in another boat if that will improve the teams’ chances. As indicated above, some regatta events preclude participation by all athletes.  The first regatta of the season, the Polar Bear Regatta, is for upper boats only.  Championship regattas, which occur in the latter part of the season, require qualification and/or may not provide events for every category of rower, so these also may limit 100% participation.  The members of Lake Braddock Crew operate under three main tenets; first is to be safe; second is to have fun; and third is to be competitive.

14.Is Crew a Varsity sport at Lake Braddock and are Varsity Letters awarded?

Crew is a club sport at Lake Braddock, but we are permitted to offer a Varsity Letter for the participants. The coaches have developed criteria for everyone to aim toward in earning their own Varsity Letter.  Additionally, the team is included in the annual Spring Sports Banquet normally held in late May or early June.  Additional awards are provided at that time along with other LBSS Spring Sports.

15. Is it possible to “buyout” of a required fundraising activity?

Yes, it is possible for a family to "buyout" on some fundraising efforts, but as a team, we discourage this since the combined efforts of all team members overcoming shared challenges builds a stronger and more cohesive unit. Each year the Board of Directors will determine the buyout amount for each activity.

16.  Is Crew an easy sport to participate in?

While Crew appears to be an easy sport to master, it truly is one of the most difficult sports for proficiency, requiring immense concentration, physical endurance and strength. The entire body must be developed to master the strokes and technique needed to efficiently master the boats.

Crew practices require intense land practice, weight and circuit work, running and proficiency on the ergometer, in addition to development behind the oar in the boat. Keep in mind, just carrying your boat on land requires you and your teammates to lift and carry over 250 pounds! For individuals participating as coxswains (“coxes”) the physical requirements may be slightly different but being in good physical shape is essential.

17. What volunteer positions are there, and how can I volunteer to help out on a committee?

There are a great number of opportunities to help make the LBSS Crew Team the best ever! Volunteers are needed to assist maintaining boats and the boat house; on fund raising committees such as the plant sale, letter writing campaign, and gift cards/e-scrip programs; for newsletter preparation; registration coordination; VASRA representation; new parent coordination; social activities and at Regattas. Parents who wish to assist on one of the committees are encouraged to contact any board member or the committee chairperson at any of the general meetings or by phone or email. Contact information is posted on the LB Crew web site (click on Points of Contact and then click on Committee Chairpersons).

18. If I join the team, pay my dues, and then decide later that I don't wish or am unable to continue can I get my money back?

      For the 2006-2007 season the total dues are $550.  This is made up of $75 for the winter conditioning session and $475 for the regatta season.  Once the student starts the winter conditioning the $75 is non-refundable.  The remaining $475 may be refunded if requested within the first two weeks of the regatta season.  Refunds beyond that point are at the discretion of and subject to the approval of the Lake Braddock Crew Booster's Club President and two Board Vice-Presidents.