At Fairfax, crew is a spring club sport that begins in late February and concludes near the end of May.  The members of the rowing team train in the winter, Land Training, and in preparation of the spring season, Water Training.

Crew is a team sport and requires commitment. Good boats are made up of people who have practiced together. Coaches need to be able to count on people showing up regularly. We cannot emphasize this enough. If a rower misses practice, seven other rowers may have to “sit out.”  Your position on a boat is never guaranteed. If you know you are going to miss practice, phone or email a note to the coach before the date in question.

Rowers are expected to attend all practices. Remember, when you don't show, the rest of the team is impacted! 

Preceding the spring season is an intensive indoor training time. It starts in mid-November and lasts through February. Participants focus solely on land training which consists of erging (working out on the ergometer also known as the rowing machine), running and weight training.  Training takes place after school. The cost of participation is included in the cost of the fall season for fall rowers.  The FHS Crew Rowing Guide, Rowing Basics, has valuable information for all rowers including a summary of training exercises.

We have our own ergs which have an on-board computer that tracks time rowed, distance rowed and other variables.

Practices run Monday through Friday, with races being held on Saturdays beginning near the end of March. Weekday practices are from 3 to 6 pm rain or shine (the only things that keep us off the water are high winds, extreme cold, flooding or lightning). However, safety both on and off the water are the coaches primary concern always.  Practices are held at Sandy Run Regional Park, on the Occoquan River, south of Fairfax. Rowers are expected to attend all scheduled practices. Bring clothing suitable for the day's weather as practice is held rain or shine. 

Spring practice will be held five days a week.  Wear layered clothing including a hat. Wear tight fitting shorts (spandex is good but not required) and a shirt you can tuck in (baggy clothes get trapped in the wheels of the sliding seats). Shoes are not worn in the boat; socks will get filthy. You will leave your shoes on the dock and they may get wet (bring old ones or put in a plastic bag).  Bring a change of clothes. Bring water and a snack.