At Fairfax, crew is a spring club sport that begins in late February and concludes near the end of May.  If you are a novice or want to learn more about rowing and the Fairfax Crew Program, please read the Frequently Asked Questions and the material in the FHS Crew Rowing Basics.  We also hold Student/Parents interest nights at Fairfax High in November and January.  Don't miss these important dates.  For a complete schedule of events see our Calendar.

• Land Training Begins - Monday, Jan 27, 2003

• Forms turned in - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2003

• Team Photographs - TBA

• Swim Test for New Rowers - TBA

• Water Training (experienced) begins Feb 24, 2003

• Parents Meeting - Mar 5th, 7:00 PM, FHS library

• Water training (novice) begins Mar 3, 2003

• Launch Driver Training for Parent Volunteers (Occoquan), Mar 9 (if interested, talk to Coach DelVecchio)
• First Regatta (experienced) Saturday, Mar 22, 2003
• First Regatta (novice), Saturday, Mar 29, 2003

Please read the Eligibility Requirements and Rowers Fees and Obligations before submitting your registration material and rowers fee.  The Fairfax Crew membership system consists of dues and volunteer work.

Rowing is challenging.  Rowers are the toughest, most determined athletes you will meet!  Crew is a sport that demands endurance, strength and skill.  It requires consummate teamwork and mental toughness.  You will compete with other high schools in races called regattas on the Occoquan River at Sandy Park Regional Park.

Rowing gets you in shape. With water, land and weight training you will build endurance and muscles.  Rowing will keep you aerobically fit and strong in the spring.  There are no back benchers in crew! Everyone gets to participate.

Colleges recruit students with rowing backgrounds. Crew is a growing sport on college campuses.  Participation in crew looks good on your college applications.  Rowers are scholar athletes!

Fill out the required forms and mail them with your rower fees to the Membership Coordinator or return them to the Crew Box in the Fairfax High School Main Office.

Checks and registration forms are also accepted at the Parent/Students Interest Meetings held in late fall and early winter.

Academic Requirements.  The Virginia High School League rules require that students participating in athletic programs maintain a minimum standard to be eligible to participate.  Academic eligibility is based on the following: 1) you must have earned no more than 2 D's and 1 C in the previous term; and 2) you must be currently enrolled in three full academic classes. Note: grades for labs and any type of aid positions (office, library, etc.) do not count toward eligibility.

Swim Test. In order to register, all rowers must provide proof of his/her swimming ability. (e.g. Red Cross Swimming Card, BSA Merit Badge verification, Proof of Swim Team Membership or verification by a certified lifeguard of the ability to swim 100 meters and tread water for 2 min.)

Physical Exam. In order to row and be a member of the crew team, each rower must provide a current school year Virginia High School League Physical Form. If the rower has already turned in their physical in anticipation of participating in another sport, a copy of the physical is acceptable.

Practices.  Individuals are expected to attend all practices. Remember, when you don't show, eight other people are affected. All rowers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at registration. A Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement will be required for each rower.

Rower Fees.  The annual rowing fee is $525 per rower.  A Rower pays a portion of the rower fee with the application form and the remainder before water training begins. 

Students will not be allowed to participate in any practices until the fees are paid in full.

Uniforms.  Everyone must buy a uniform.

For practices and warm-ups rowers running shoes, close-fitting but comfortable pants or shorts, polypropylene undershirt, fleece hat, wool socks and a fleece jacket plus the usual tee shirts and sweats are recommended. Rowers may purchase optional team jackets, sweats, rain wear, gear bags, caps and more from our team clothing coordinator.

Without the volunteer support of the rower and their parents, the crew program is not possible. To have a successful team, every rower's family must help with fundraising and volunteering.

We are a volunteer organization and ask that each family get involved and join the FHS Crew Boosters. We need everyone to do their share of fundraising, work on maintaining the shells, help organize and chaperone events and trips, help with the administrative tasks or assist with regattas. 

Fundraising Support.  Rowers and their parents/guardians will be required to support the fundraising activities of the club. The growth and success of the Fairfax HS Crew Club depends greatly on the success of our fundraising activities. Fundraisers are necessary to supplement dues in order to meet yearly expenses inherent to the operation of crew activities. Any funds raised beyond budgeted expenses provide the means to purchase new or replacement equipment. To accomplish this, full participation of all the rowers and their parents is necessary. In order to purchase new equipment for the year, funds must be available in the fall to insure delivery of equipment for use in spring events.  

Volunteer Support.  It would not be possible to conduct regattas or maintain Fairfax Crew without parent volunteers.  In order to compete in the regattas, all schools are required to provide their prorated share (based on the number of rowers) of the volunteers that set up and run the local regattas. The regatta jobs include driving launches during the regattas, working the concession stands, directing traffic, etc.  Failure to fulfill a job results in a $50 fine to the team for each missing volunteer and means that someone else has to do the job.  Each family is expected to volunteer for at least two jobs during the course of the season for Fairfax Crew to meet its quota. Volunteering at regattas is necessary, but it also can be fun, is a great way to meet other parents and learn more about the sport. Those first to sign up get will get first choice!

Board meetings are held once a month. There are a variety of jobs that need parents. No special skills are required other than enthusiasm and a willingness to contribute to something very special.