Coach's Notes:
Practice Times: All practices will meet at 5 pm (1 - 12 March) at the designated meeting spot. Practices should be concluded by 7 pm. (Practice Parents: Please sign in the crew at the AYB office and please only bring one car to the boathouse....4:40 PM).
Parking: Please park either off the main road that leads to AYB or in the "woods;" DO NOT park on the pavement, AYB parking spots or drive down to the boathouse.
Each practice has an extra rower.....just in case we have a no show. Dress warmly if you are in the coach's launch....you will understand why the coaches dress like arctic explorers.
No-shows/Unexcused Absences: We have very limited time on the water prior to our first regatta on 20 March. If you have an unexcused absence, you will most likely lose your seat for the upcoming regatta.
The schedules are out in plenty of time to make arrangements for work and after-school activities. If you want to row, make the proper arrangements.
Practice Cancellations: Again, weather is always a concern and I will cancel practice by 6 pm the night before if the bad weather is imminent. If you do not see an email, text or phone call by 6 pm, then practice is on. The coaches reserve the right to cancel the practices in the morning should we have adverse weather. Of note, I will pass the word regarding practice cancellation to the practice parents.
Conditioning. Just showing up to row is not enough if you want to compete at the Regional, State, and National levels. If you are in a rowing program at the Division I level (College/University), the practices are a minimum of 3 hours, 6 days a week. My expectation is for each of you to do additional conditioning on your own, such as running, lifting weights, yoga, aerobics, biking, swimming, etc. My recommendation is to do 3 days of an either running, biking, swimming, etc that will keep your heart rate at 70 - 80% your max HR for 45 - 60 minutes and 2-3 days of strength and flexibility training (e.g., low weights weight/high reps, yoga, etc.). See either Coach Webster or myself for advise if needed.
Medical. I understand there are several of you that have asthma (and use an inhaler)....if you use an inhaler (even if only for emergencies) you are REQUIRED to bring it with you to water practice. No inhaler, no practice. Also, if you have a medical need for a eppi pen....you are required to bring it. There was a health form distributed at the last Parents' meeting....if your parent did not go, they are required to sign up (see/call Ms. Lorraine Ortega).
See you on the water!!! Coach Barker
