New Parent and Rowers
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
New Rowers Information
The team typically has between 90 and 110 student athletes. The goal of the team 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 crew.
The primary limitation on the number of athletes that can be on the team is the number of coaches and equipment. To maintain appropriate safety for all involved, the board attempts to have approximately one coach for every 20 students. In this way, we can have coaches on the water, and coaches monitoring dry-land training during practices at Bull Run Marina.
There are no “cuts” per se. Thus far, 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 start of the season.
Crew officially begins in mid-February and runs until the latter part of May, early June. There are approximately 8-10 regattas (competitive races) beginning about the third week of March on Saturdays.
To prepare the team for the rigors of rowing, an optional Winter Conditioning Program is also encouraged. Winter Conditioning typically begins in early December and runs to the beginning of the official crew season. See our Calendar on this website for the specific dates for the current year.
The Winter Conditioning Program will be held at Lake Braddock School from early December to the start of the regatta season in mid-February. Once crew season begins, practices will normally be held at Bull Run Marina, but as the weather can be unpredictable at that time of year, changes of venues may be announced via mass email notification and texts.
The swim test consists of three parts;
- a 100-meter swim (any stroke and untimed);
- a two-minute tread water test; and to
- successfully don a U.S. Coast Guard approved life preserver while in the pool.
The swim test is required for athletes 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 rower wears during rowing.
The test is normally administered initially before Green Days in September, and again during the January-February time-frame before Spring Rowing if not completed in September. Specific dates and times are announced in advance and will be on our calendar.
The swim test is held at either the Wakefield Recreation Center or South Run Recreation Center. Please plan on approximately one hour from arrival and check-in to complete the test.
Crew is a club sport at Lake Braddock, but we are permitted to offer a Varsity Letters for well-deserving 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.
To join any of the LB Crew programs, a parent or guardian must register themselves and the student athlete on this website. As many of the students are under the age of majority, parents must be involved.
All of the requirements to join and costs are discussed in detail during the registration process. No matter the program selected, all athletes must have a valid medical on file with Lake Braddock Secondary School, and both the parent and student must complete online concussion training. These requirements are the same for any sport participation at Lake Braddock.
If you are ready to join, please see our registration page here. If you are only interested in Green Days which is free, you still have to use the registration process on this website in order that no details are missed and we can ensure your safety while you train with LB Crew!
Please email Coach@bruincrew.com to begin your journey to learn more and become part of the team.
New Parents Information
As a club sport, the crew team receives no financial sponsorship from the school system or Fairfax County, relying solely on donations and parental support.
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.
Typically annual costs including Winter Conditioning, Spring Rowing, and mandatory uniform are approximately $1100, but this amount can be decreased by participating in the scrip program. For more information on scrips and other fundraising information, please see the Fundraising on top menu.
Actual costs will be identified during registration and you will be able to pay in full or through monthly payments. It is our goal to keep the cost of crew as low as we can. Lake Braddock Crew is one of the less expensive programs in the area as we put a lot of effort into fundraising in the community and we are blessed with great alumni who continue to contribute to see a prosperous LB Crew team.
The Occoquan Boat Club (OBC) will once again have a limited number of scholarships from this year's Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are for crew athletes who may find the cost of rowing to be a financial hardship, especially those who are on the free or reduced lunch program. Please email VPADMIN@Bruincrew.com if interested.
Yes, this is a club sport and it requires family participation. Officially you will need to volunteer for two required duties throughout the regatta season. Outside of regatta season, all families are encouraged to participate in crew events and in fundraising activities.
Mandatory requirements are easily achieved by volunteering during regattas, participating in Booster Club activities, helping on various team committees, volunteering for marina grounds clean-up at Bull Run Marina, and maintaining equipment if that appeals to you. Because of your help, our expense to field crew teams and participate in the Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) regattas is minimal and all our families benefit.
Volunteer opportunities will be distributed through email and text and signup will be available via website or Teamsnap.
The winter conditioning fee is non-refundable. The Spring Season fee is fully refundable within the first 12 days on the water. Refunds beyond that point are at the discretion of and subject to the approval of the Lake Braddock Crew Booster’s Club Board.
To join any of the LB Crew programs, a parent or guardian must register themselves and the student athlete on this website. As many of the students are under the age of majority, parents must be involved.
All of the requirements to join and costs are discussed in detail during the registration process. No matter the program selected, all athletes must have a valid medical on file with Lake Braddock Secondary School, and both the parent and student must complete online concussion training. These requirements are the same for any sport participation at Lake Braddock.
If you are ready to register your athlete(s), please see our registration link when available. If you are only interested in registering for Green Days which is free, you still have to use the registration process on this website in order that no details are missed and we can ensure your athlete's safety while training with LB Crew!
The test is normally administered initially before Green Days in September, and again during the January-February time-frame before Spring Rowing if not completed in September. Specific dates and times are announced in advance and will be on our website and through various social media sites.
We also encourage your interested rower to reach out to Coach at coach@bruincrew.com to start the conversation and meet some of the team members,
Please sign up on the homepage to get our Bruin Crew Newsletter. This consolidated newsletter shares upcoming events, notes from the Coach, and key activities going on. This is open to anyone, so don't hesitate to take a peak into some of the Crew happenings.
The team also uses TeamSnap to communicate. Once your Rower is registered they will receive an invite to create an account which can be used on the mobile app or website. They will register their family under additional contacts, so you will get event notices, messages from the team, and allows communication in a single platform between Rowers, Parents, Coaches, and the Board.
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