It is important to think about a given season in crew as a progression, a sequence of events with a set of goals in mind for each of our boats. We all want our girls to be in winning boats, but the coaches determine who races, in what seat, in what boat, and at what time.  Our girls qualify for these seats with their skill, endurance, attitude and attendance in training.  There is competition within the team for seats and boats.

The coaches do not view races as individual events, especially not the Manny Flicks.  They progress through the season towards a goal: to do very well in the PSRA City Championship (Cities), Stotesbury Cup Regatta, and, as the ultimate goal, the National Championships.

The Radnor Girls Crew team is now a contender not only in one boat category or a few races but across the board in many categories.  During the season, coaches will experiment, attempting to optimize boats and the overall standing of Radnor, particularly in the most important competitions.

Every action at practice is directed towards the regattas.  All of the work that we do on the water, on the erg, and the running trail is designed to make our crew as successful as they can possibly be on race day.  This involves an incredible amount of work.  For every minute that an athlete spends on the race course, she has logged hours of practice time.  Every stroke that she takes in competition is backed by hundreds of strokes taken in practice.

Consequently, we take the regattas very seriously and expect the athletes to do everything in their power to be as well prepared as they can be.  If they do so, then regattas can be very rewarding – exciting, exhilarating, and memorable for all the right reasons.  They represent the athletes' best chance to test their abilities, to push their limits, and come together as a team in a way that only an athlete could ever truly comprehend.

Regattas often last all day and, while each boat has their designated time to row, team members are expected to stay and support their teammates.  Once we get to the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the events can run two days (should boats advance).  Please note that once boats are launched, race times are out of our control. While the officials do try to adhere to schedules, frequently race times are delayed.  Be prepared for those delays and unpredictable circumstances.

Rigging and de-rigging boats are race day standards and the responsibility of the team.  Athletes are expected to take part in both of these activities.  Skipping these responsibilities may negatively affect an athlete's racing opportunities.   Prior arrangements to leave may be made with the coaches through your parents, but should not be abused.

IMPORTANT: All team members should report to the trailer two hours before the FIRST Radnor girls' race of the day.  This should be confirmed with the coach prior to the regatta.

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The race day typically starts very early in the morning.  Athletes are expected to be on time, with Vince Lombardi's maxim in mind that, "If you're five minutes rs are expected to immediately set about the business of preparing the boats to race.  The process of rigging the boats is a labor-intensive job and requires the participation of every member of the team.  Athletes who fail to involve themselves in this work are showing disrespect for their teammates and the team and will, consequently, be pulled out of their races if they do not respond to their coaches' requests to help.

The races typically commence about two hours after the team arrives at the course.  Every athlete is expected to know when they are racing and what time their boat meeting/warm-up is.  This is important because the coaches have many responsibilities on race day, and keeping track of wandering athletes should not be part of that list.  After their warm-up and last minute strategy review, the athletes hit the water.  While on the water (and, in fact, at all times while at a regatta) the athletes are expected to exhibit exemplary sportsmanship.  They are expected to win with pride and lose with dignity.  Win or lose, the crews congratulate their competitors on a well-fought contest and then row back to the dock, heads high.

Crew is a team sport.  Between races, athletes are expected to support their teammates by gathering at the water's edge to cheer them on as they row by.

With the races over, everyone must again help de-rig the boats and load the boat trailer.  Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken.  No one may leave the course until the last boat is strapped and the coaches have officially dismissed the team.

The athletes spend countless hours on the ergs and in workout sessions, honing their skills on the river from our boathouse, and parents invest significant amounts to allow the club to hire great coaches, acquire proper equipment, and provide a safe training environment.  Now all is on the line on race day.
Most of our spring races are 1,500 meters, which will finish at the Grandstand.  This is a 10-minute walk from the tent southward. In the case of heats (boats are started in a group of 3-6 and race against each other), this is the place to be. In case of head races [pop-up definition] (typical of fall races), the boats are racing individually, so the finishes are less exciting.

We support our athletes by strenuous and very loud shouting and urging them on to give everything they have and then some.  The results are posted at the finish line.

In spring crew we will have full hospitality for most races; i.e., for athletes and spectators. There is an entire organization around hospitality.  For fall crew, we provide food for the athletes and, occasionally, for spectators.

The job of parents and spectators is to support our athletes on race day.  This is a very intense time for the coaches and athletes, even for the athletes who are there but are not racing.  Our job is to basically stay out of their way and let them focus on safety and the competition.

In general, parents and siblings should not be in the trailer area.  There are boats on the move everywhere and it is not a safe place for spectators.

Our place is at or around the hospitality tent or the finish line, ensuring that Radnor has the most supportive spectators.

If you have any questions regarding the race, seating on the boats, strategy or other issues related to the competitions, please feel free to ask one of the upper-class parents or board members present.

In recent years, the Radnor Crew has moved from obscurity to contention.  Our athletes are watched by the rowing community and the competition.  Let's show up at competitions in force and with a sportsman-like attitude, so we represent our athletes, our club and our school in the best possible fashion.

Athletes must arrive at the race venue looking like they belong on the team.  We highly recommend that you come prepared for different kinds of weather.   A well-packed regatta kit would, therefore, include the following:

1. Water bottle (Food and water will be provided at the hospitality tent, but having your own water bottle is a very good idea.) 
2. Sun block
3. Shoes (extra pair) and/or sandals
4. Hat(for sun protection and to preserve body heat)
5. T-shirts/clothing to layer under outerwear
6. Rain jacket and mud boots
7. Complete set of warm, dry clothes (sweater or sweatshirt, sweatpants, shorts, socks) for after every race
8. Prescribed medications and inhalers, if needed
9. Snacks (especially when traveling to distant regattas).

We also recommend bringing something to do (homework comes to mind), as there is typically a lot of down time at regattas.  Those wishing to listen to music should bring headphones as we prefer not to have publicly broadcast music at the regatta.  We recommend that athletes not bring valuable items to the regattas.  The most important thing you can bring is a great deal of enthusiasm!

Dress appropriately for expected weather conditions, and be prepared for changes.  Following is a list of items spectators may want to bring to the regatta:

1. Sunglasses and sunscreen
2. Folding chair
3. Umbrella/raingear/towel/boots
4. Binoculars
5. Camera/camcorder
6. Sunscreen
7. Reading material
8. Race schedule
9. Your Radnor spirit

A printout of the schedule will help you track the progression of the regatta, when the Radnor boats race (which race, which lane), and who our competitors are.  We will try to post a print-optimized schedule [link to Competitions: Schedule & Results] on the website before each competition and distribute the same through our email distribution list [link to Subscribe form under Press Room].  Race schedules can also be found on the websites for the regattas (e.g., www.boathouserow.org). Just search for "Radnor."

From Radnor, drive east on I-76 (the Schuylkill Expressway), taking exit 340A/Lincoln Drive to the left.  Stay left on the bridge over the Schuylkill River, bearing left on the ramp toward City Avenue/Kelly Drive/East River Drive.  Follow this road for about two miles until just north of the Strawberry Mansion Bridge (point A on the following map), where Kelly Drive will be blocked, and only those with parking permits are allowed through. This is the appropriate spot to allow athletes to quickly exit your vehicle.  It is only a short walk to the trailer near the Canoe Club.

Typically, from the drop-off point, you will drive up to your left (Strawberry Hill Drive) and park around the baseball fields on Edgely Drive.  This can cost $10. Often, spectators will bring bicycles to commute from their car to the hospitality tent and from the tent to the finish line quickly.  When walking, you can either user the safer route back down Strawberry Hill Drive to Kelly Drive, the steeper but much shorter route down the dirt/gravel path at the corner of Reservoir and Edgely Drives (not marked on the map), or the VERY steep path at the southwestern corner of Edgely Drive (appropriately marked in red on the map).  This latter route is the shortest route between off-course parking and the hospitality tent but is only recommended for those who can master the steep hill and the fact that there is hardly any trail.  Please be aware when trying to take this route that there are sheer drops that are not really visible from above.  Ask an experienced parent to show you the way.

As a member of the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association (PSRA), the RGCC receives a limited number of parking permits, which allow access to and parking on the East River Drive during PSRA events.  These permits are auctioned off to members as a fundraiser in the spring.  The following rules apply to those using PSRA parking permits:

• Diagonal parking is permitted on the river side of the drive only.
• Do not park on the grass.
• Do not park on the opposite side of the drive.
• Do not parallel park.
• Do not leave your car parked on Kelly Drive beyond 6 PM.