Welcome to the Spring 2024 Crew Season - from the WW Board

[Mark Foreman]

WW Families - 

On behalf of the Board of Wayland Weston Crew, I'd like to welcome you to the spring 2024 season!  We are excited about the season and can't wait to see how the team comes together and performs, from our group of well-experienced seniors (many of whom already have plans to continue their rowing careers in college) to our 39 novices.  

For those of you new to WW, the organization is overseen by a volunteer board that provides operational, financial, administrative, and strategic support to Mike and the coaches.  Board member roles and bios are listed on the WW website.  The WW Board meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month (including this Tuesday night) at 7PM at the Weston Community Center and virtually (link here).  All friends of WW, including parents/guardians of our athletes, are welcome to attend the open session of our Board meetings.

A few additional notes:

- For help coordinating rides, here's a carpooling map with parent contact information.

- You will begin to hear talk of a capital campaign starting this spring.  We'll share more info about it as it gets rolling, including an explanation of why we're doing it now, goals for the effort, and opportunities to help.  Note that because of the capital campaign we won't have Crewapalooza this year, but we will have a social event to allow families to get together without a full fundraising push.

- You will also start hearing about volunteering opportunities at regattas.  It's fun (see below) and you'll never miss your athlete rowing by.  We ask that every family sign up for at least two volunteering sessions per season.  What makes WW so special and unique comes out of these volunteer efforts so we appreciate everyone's help.  And, as mentioned, it's fun! 

- We are rolling our "Adopt a Novice Family" program before Harvard Henley to give every novice family an experienced rowing family to reach out to for questions, advice, and invitations and introductions.

Finally, two pieces of advice for new (and long time) families:  

- For those new to rowing, your athletes will come home talking a language you won't understand.  We've all been there - over time you'll figure out the difference between a double and a pair, what a rigger is, what "we started at a 34 and took it up to a 38" means, and lots more.  I promise that every other new family is asking the same questions, just like new families in the past.  Don't hesitate to ask questions, and trust that you'll figure it out as the season goes on.

- Regattas are a blast, regardless of the weather, and I'd encourage you to go.  You can see your athletes row at every regatta (especially Lowell) and all families and friends are welcome to eat at the food tent (rowers get priority but there's lots of food for everyone).  Your athletes are making you food tent name tags to make introductions easy, and experienced families are more than happy to get to know you.  If you are on the fence about going - head up to the race!  

We're thrilled that you and your athlete are part of the WW community this spring, and we look forward to a great season.

Best,

Mark, on behalf of the WW Board

--

Mark H Foreman

President

Wayland-Weston Rowing Association, Inc.

cell:  (617) 947-6669

email:  mark.h....@wwcrew.org

Website:  wwcrew.org