Winter Conditioning

Winter Conditioning is a program run by the Lake Braddock Crew Team throughout the winter sports season. It’s meant to prepare the crew team for the spring rowing season, but all athletes are welcome! It’s a great opportunity for athletes that want to prepare for spring sports to stay fit and motivated. It’s an intense and fun experience designed to build strength and confidence in all participants.

For new rowers (novice), winter conditioning is not mandatory but is highly encouraged. It is a great way to meet other perspective rowers and make new friends before the official season starts.

If you’re interested in crew but still want to participate in another winter sport, that's fine, just let our coaches know you’re interested.

Green Days

Fall Rowing Program (“Green Days”)

Green Days are practices specifically for anyone who is curious about crew and would like to try the sport but aren’t sure if it’s for them.

During Green Days, we’ll teach you the basics and touch on the core building blocks needed to excel at rowing. Come visit our boathouse to see where our team practices throughout the season! This is a great opportunity for everyone, if you are a first-time rower or if you have rowed previously. It’s free and you will be joined by our varsity rowers who will teach you the skills you need, and you will have an opportunity to meet our awesome coaches! Don’t be afraid, come out and try something new!

Green Days take place in September for three weeks. You don't need to come to every Green Days, but please come to as many as you can! They are held out of our boathouse at the Bull Run Marina. There are no fees associated with this 12-day camp and it is open to all current LBSS students in grades 9-12.

Spring Season

Spring rowing is the official rowing season for our crew team. During spring rowing, our rowers practice on the water at Bull Run Marina after school every day. The season runs from late February to later May/June depending on your boat’s success.

Don’t worry if you have never rowed before or didn't have the opportunity to row with us at Green Day's or Winter Conditioning, no experience is required to join crew. Crew is not a tryout sport per se, if you were on the team last year or are new to crew, you have to register, pass the swimming test, have an academic average of C or better, and pass your physical exam.

Rowing is rewarding but is often ranked as one of the top 10 hardest sports in the world. Crew requires dedication not only of time but of self. It's a great way to meet new people and stay physically fit. Rowing provides a place and a home away from the stresses of everyday school life. The opportunity to be out on the water every day is unparalleled in all other school sports.

Spring Break Trip

Each year during spring break, the team visits Claytor Lake near Radford, VA. The lake is part of a sheltered reservoir and has the potential for excellent rowing conditions. It is located approximately 11 miles from Radford and is home to VA Tech’s rowing program. The facility is perfect for rowing, with cabins close to the shores, allowing rowers maximum time on the water. Food is provided in a typical camp-style cafeteria. The weather is usually milder than it is in Northern Virginia at that time of the year, which gives the team a nice respite from the often-difficult spring conditions that can occur in Northern Virginia.

Spring break camp allows all attendees to grow as teammates, refine technique, and prepare for the championship season. Continuing our training through spring break ensures that all student-athletes stay in peak condition as we head into the final regattas of the season and offers a unique opportunity to have a spring trip away from home with their teammates. A goal of the trip is to also use the time to do things we normally do not have time or space for on home waters such as film study, longer rows, and scrimmages against multiple other boats.

The trip is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. Athletes who do not attend are effectively missing at least 2 weeks, and perhaps as many as three weeks, of valuable on-the water practice time. There is a separate fee to attend the camp. Details and updates are posted
on the Bruin Crew website as they are finalized.