FAQs
ROWING COSTS
What do my dues cover?
Dues cover: the cost of coaching, rower's membership in US Rowing Association, local regatta entry fees, costs to operate and maintain all equipment and operate PRC (see handbook for details), food for rowers at regattas, and the transportation, lodging and food for all rowers at the Southwest Regional regatta in May.
Are there any additional costs associated with regatta participation?
Transportation costs to any regattas out-of-state or in Southern California have additional travel costs associated with the events and are assessed to all rowers who are selected for the regatta. These additional costs are not included in membership dues and will be assessed only to those rowers who attend the regatta. Coach notification of boat selection occurs approximately one week in advance of the regatta. Invited rowers are expected to reimburse PRC for their portion of these costs before the regatta.
Are there any extra fees not covered by the dues?
Rowers will be asked to purchase their uniform (a unisuit and traveling shirt) for the Spring season. Team jerseys and tanks are often purchased for the Fall and Spring seasons. If your rower is selected for an away regatta that requires travel (e.g., out-of-state or Southern California regatta), the rower's family is expected to cover the cost of the rower's travel expenses.
ROWING TERMINOLOGY
What are the different boat sizes?
The number of rowers in a boat is either 1, 2, 4, or 8.
What is "sweep"?
In a sweep boat, each rower has one oar, held with both hands.
What is "sculling"?
In a scull boat, each rower has two oars (sculls), one in each hand.
Breaking down a regatta event label:
A coxed boat is identified with the + symbol, and an unboxed boat is noted with the - symbol. The sweep boats, in which the crew hold one oar each, are called Pairs (2-), Fours (4+) and Eights (8+). The scull boats, in which the crew hold two oars each, are not coxed and are called Singles (1X), Doubles (2X) and Quads (4X).
or coxswain participating in their first year of rowing. For a more detailed definition please see the most current Rules of the Southwest Junior Rowing Championship Regatta.
How do you pronounce "coxswain"? What is this person's role?
The cox, or coxswain (pronounced "cox-in") is always seated in the direction of travel and is responsible for steering the shell, executing race strategy, providing motivation, coordinating the power and rhythm of the crew, and ensuring the overall safety of the boat. The coxswain is traditionally thrown into the water after a regatta win.
REGATTA LOGISTICS
How does my rower get to the regatta?
Rowers are not permitted to drive themselves or their teammates to any away regatta. We encourage carpools with other parents, arranged in advance or "organically" at pre-regatta meeting point.
What is an "organic carpool" and how does it work?
All rowers assemble before away regattas at a meeting point. Any rower who does not have a ride to a destination can notify his/her coach, teammates or announce he/she needs a ride. There will almost always be a car going to the regatta venue with an empty space in their car. It is advised that you wait at the meeting point to confirm that your rower has a ride to the regatta before leaving.
For which regattas does PRC provide transportation?
When PRC participates in regattas that are out-of-state or in Southern California, transportation is provided by PRC for all rowers. PRC also provides transportation to the Southwest Regionals (or CJ's).
What should a viewer expect?
Regattas last all day--sometimes a whole weekend--and have multiple events. Your rower may row in just one event or may row in 2 or 3. If your rower is racing in multiple events, it is likely that their races will be spread throughout the day to allow the rower to recover between races. It is not uncommon to have 3-hour gaps between events in which your rower will participate. Bring a chair, prepare for the weather, and bring something to eat as regattas do not always have food vendors.
Can we go after my rower is done with his race?
Parents of rowers can arrive at and leave from regattas to suit their schedules. Rowers are not permitted to depart from regattas until their coaches dismiss them.
My rower can drive. Can he drive himself to a regatta?
No. This is forbidden by PRC's rules and regulations. Please refer to the handbook.
What is "trailer unloading" and why does my rower need to show up?
When boats return from an away regatta, they need to be unloaded from the trailer by rowers. Often coaches request that rowers meet at the boathouse on a Sunday afternoon to unload the trailer so that boats are available for practice on Monday. Unloading the trailer may take 2 hours, so plan accordingly.
What is the team uniform for racing and traveling?
The rower's uniform is a unisuit, that is customized to a rower's measurements. Unisuit orders are placed in late Fall for the Spring regatta season. For Fall regattas, team attire varies; rowers may be asked to purchase a t-shirt for Fall regattas that they can wear with their practice shorts. PRC also requires rowers to purchase a traveling shirt for the Spring season.