ABOUT ROWING, aka CREW
Rowing, or Crew, is a two season, co-ed sport combining both individual performance with absolute teamwork. While it is mentally and physically demanding at the varsity and junior varsity level, novice rowers will focus primarily on physical conditioning and establishing a solid technical base upon which to build in the coming years. It uses all the major muscle groups, and requires a great deal of aerobic ability. Successful rowers have come from such other sports as soccer, track, cross country, swimming, volleyball, and lacrosse.
One can participate in either the Fall or Spring seasons, but those who row both have a distinct advantage over those who do one or the other. The two seasons combine to form a year long arc. The focus in the fall is on technical training and physical conditioning, and races are fewer and longer. Spring season is the main focus of the sport, with a greater number of races in a side-by-side sprint format. Races begin locally and progress to state, regional, national and international competitions.
Crew travels throughout the state and to Canada in the spring season, and throughout the midwest in the fall. Because of the intensity of the sport, the team tends to be a tight knit group of friends providing a supportive and encouraging atmosphere. In addition to the values of teamwork and shared accomplishment, crew members quickly learn to budget their time and focus their attention.
Crew is not for everyone. It demands a great deal of athleticism and cardiovascular conditioning, and favors taller and leaner individuals. Workouts are strenuous and mentally demanding. It generally takes two to three years of training to be proficient with "the stroke," which means athletes and team alike are in a constant state of increasing development. Long-term goal accomplishment and deferred gratification are key factors in a successful rower's career.
Dues run roughly $500, and can be somewhat offset by fundraising. Additional fees for travel and accommodations bring the total cost in the fall to ~$700, and in spring up to ~$900. Scholarships are available for those who can demonstrate need.
HOW TO REGISTER FOR CREW
We have often been asked, "How do you join the Pioneer Crew?"
You must first report to the athletic office. Check with the secretary and fill out all forms.
You must complete and submit in person the following three required items.
Use this handy form as a checklist. Your registration materials are included in this packet. If you are missing any of the forms indicated on the outside of the mailing envelope, please pick up additional copies at the Athletic Office at the times indicated below. Do NOT mail these forms to the Athletic Department.
A. Medical Evaluation (both sides)
B. $30 Check/Money Order/Cash for Athletic Benefit Fee
The athletic benefit fee may be waived by doing one of the following:
1. Provide proof of Medicare/Medicaid coverage
2. Provide the letter from the free lunch program indicating acceptance
3. Proof that you receive food stamps from Family Independence Program (FIP)
4. Proof that you receive food stamps from Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservation (FDPIR)
C. AAPS Parental Instructions In Case of Emergency Form (both sides/one form per sport to be played)
*You must have passed 5 classes the previous semester and have obtained a 2.0 grade point average to participate and continue playing in athletics.
An athlete CANNOT participate in any Pioneer sport, game or practice, until he/she has successfully completed athletic registration. No exceptions allowed.
When/Where to Register
Registration for fall season sports will begin in the third week of June in the Athletic Office between hours of 7:30-4 PM.
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How to Contact the Athletic Office about registration
You may phone the Athletic Department office at 994-2151 between 7:30 AM and 3:30 PM during the week. Phone lines may frequently be busy during the registration period, so please be patient.
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Information about Physicals
Low-cost physical examinations will be available in early August at Pioneer High School. Please check with the Athletic Office for the exact date, time a, and location. Cost of the physical is $30 per student.
Students may seek their own physician for a physical any time after April 15 of the previous school year.
GENERAL INFO AND FAQs
NOVICE PARENT INFORMATION PAGE
The Pioneer Crew was founded in the fall of 1999 as a club, and in the fall of 2003 we received full varsity status at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School. We operate out of the Ann Arbor Community Boathouse facilities in Bandemer Park, off of North Main St. on Lake Shore Drive. The program is co-ed and is open to any Pioneer or Community High School student living within the Pioneer school district.
Mission Statement Of The Pioneer Rowing Club
The mission of the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew/Pioneer Rowing Club is to develop, support and promote the sport of rowing at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in a manner that reflects the educational philosophy and ideals of the Ann Arbor educational community and the Midwest Scholastic Rowing Association (MSRA).
Specifically, the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew/Pioneer Rowing Club is committed to the following goals:
• To encourage and support the academic achievement of its student-athlete members.
• To support informed instruction in the techniques and principals of competitive rowing.
• To own, provide and maintain equipment including boats, oars and other equipment, for the use of the Pioneer Rowing Club.
• To organize fundraising events and rowing regattas in support of the rowing team.
• To promote information exchange with other amateur organizations in Ann Arbor and the surrounding geographical region.
This mission is consistent with the overall mission of Pioneer High School and with the Athletic Policy of the Ann Arbor Public Schools (Board Policy R 6147), as stated in the Pioneer High School Athletic Registration Document prepared by the Pioneer Booster Club
Structure
The Pioneer Rowing Club is a 501(c) 3 organization governed by a Board of Trustees. The Club is made up of student-athletes, coaches and parents or guardians of student-athletes on the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew. The Pioneer Rowing Club owns and maintains the club's equipment, manages the club's financial resources and helps hire additional assistant coaches and support staff for the team.
Crew is a varsity sport under the direct supervision of the Pioneer High School Athletic Director. The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew includes the student-athletes and the coaches. Coaches and athletes must comply with all Pioneer High School, AAPS and MHSAA regulations concerning athletics, academics and behavior. The Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Crew is open to high school-aged boys and girls who attend either Pioneer or Community High Schools and who reside within the Pioneer High School attendance area. No prior rowing experience is required.
How much does it cost to row?
The cost for each rower is roughly $500 per season. This figure is determined each season based upon current budgetary needs, and pays for coaching/supervisor salaries, rent, insurance and cost of operations. Fundraising opportunities are provided during the season. Scholarships are available, and no student will be denied because of cost.
The team practices are:
Monday thru Friday between 4:00 pm and 6:15 pm.
All practices are mandatory. Regattas are usually on Saturday, but can occasionally be on Sunday. The team can often be away for the whole weekend during the competitive season.
As a new rower you must be flexible. A second practice session from 6:30 to 8:00 pm may have to be put into place to accommodate new rowers.
The seasons start the third full week in March for Spring, third full week of August for Fall. We will have a one week conditioning period. We will not accept rowers after is time. You must plan on being here during Spring break when planning for the spring. Practice will be from 4:00 - 6:15 pm at the boathouse in Bandemer Park, off of Main Street on Lake Shore Drive. We anticipate a large turn out of new rowers. Practice times may have to be adjusted because of the numbers. We are always excited about the prospect of having large numbers but you as a parent and rower must realize we only have enough equipment to accommodate a limited number of athletes. We will make every attempt to get you started in rowing, but you also must be flexible while we try to work out coaching and equipment issues. Because of possible unprecedented numbers selection of new rower candidates may have to be implemented.
When do we row?
We have two seasons. The fall season runs from August to November. In the fall we participate in head races, with single boats competing against the clock. The races are approximately 2.5 miles long. In the spring we compete in sprint races. The spring season runs from March to June. The races are about 1 mile long with six boats racing side by side. Winter training is optional. We usually start training in January, after the holiday season.
Demands
Rowing demands a lot of time for both the parent and rower, but they will learn to budget their time and meet many new friends and be richer for the experience. This is truly a team sport. Each rower is dependent on all of the other rowers in the boat to make it move; we have no room for individuals. Everyone must learn to sacrifice for the whole. Our focus is always on the team.
All forms must be signed and completed before a rower may practice with the team. Information about the team is available in the Athletic Office two weeks prior to each season. Thank you for your interest is this unique sport and we look forward to you meeting the challenge of rowing.
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