Join us for the annual Santa Parade in Rockford, where the Rockford Rowing Team will proudly march to spread holiday cheer and showcase our growing rowing program!

Schedule:

• 9:45–10:00am - Meet at the boat trailer

• 10:00–10:30am - Decorate the boat trailer

• 11:00am - Parade begins

Parking:

Possible areas to park: Administration Building, behind Parkside Elementary at RAM Field, Rockford Baptist Church, and Wolverine World Wide parking lots.

Drop-off:

Rowers can be dropped off at Parkside Elementary and then walk to find our trailer in the lineup. We will know our lineup number the week of the parade and will share on SportsYou as soon as available.

Candy:

• Rowers: please bring candy to share during the parade. We need at least 5,000 pieces of candy to last through the entire parade route.

• Rowers walking in the parade should toss the candy on the ground toward people. Please do not throw it.

• We will have wagons to carry the candy during the parade for rowers to refill from.

Additional details:

• Rowers should wear Rowing gear or Christmas attire (but NO Santa suits). Santa hats, elf hats, bells, or anything festive.

• The Santa Parade is mandatory for all spring and fall rowers, from Novice through Varsity (if in town and do not have prior commitments).

• Summer and fall Middle School rowers are welcome and invited walk with us during the parade.

This holiday season, your student can boost their rowing fund by selling festive poinsettias from Romence Gardens to family, friends, and neighbors. These vibrant poinsettias come in classic holiday colors—red, white, pink, and marble—to brighten any space. Each 8” potted poinsettia is priced at $30, with $5.50 going directly to your student’s rowing account. Spread the cheer and help support your rower!

Orders can be picked up at the Swem’s home on Dec 2 (date to be confirmed) as the poinsettias need to be kept in a heated garage.

Dock-Out Day is the tradition that brings together our rowing team and their families to close down water training and racing for the season. We invite all parents and kids to lend a hand as we remove the dock from the Grand River, tidy up the boathouse, and prep it for winter.

Venue:

• Griggs Reservoir Park

• Parking (illustrated maps)

  • Spectator Parking is available in the pull-off lots located on Griggs Park Drive (Google maps) which is the access road running parallel between the Scioto River and Riverside Drive.

  • Vehicles are not permitted to park and/or drive in the grass per the City of Columbus. Violators will be ticketed and/or towed. Oversize vehicles blocking the road will be ticketed and towed. Absolutely no parking at Frisbee Golf Course.

  • Overflow parking is available at Mountview Christian Church main lot at 2140 Fishinger Road (Google | Apple). Please refrain from parking in the rear lot.

RACING:

• Blake Haxton Regatta Packet

• 7:00am: Athletes should be on-site.

• 9:05am: First Rockford event begins.

• Race Spreadsheet

• CrewTimer results

• Regatta Central

VOLUNTEERING:

• SignUp Genius

On October 19, from 12:00pm to 10:00pm, head downtown to The Pump House for a delicious treat while you support the rowing team. A portion of every sale will be donated to the team, so every scoop counts.

The Pump House has artisanal yogurt, gelato, sorbet and custard and a mountain of crazy toppings. Bring your friends, spread the word, and come out to show your support while enjoying a sweet treat!

—

Special thanks to Pump House owner Kristy Wright for this special fundraising opportunity!

The Pump House. 30 N. Main St., Rockford, MI 49341

https://morepumpy.com/

The gloves are off and we’re ready for some Orange vs Black competition. All bragging rights are on the line. There will also be an Open House for anyone wishing to see what rowing is all about as well as a bake sale.

Venue:

• Jupiter Boathouse, 5501 Jupiter Ave NE, Belmont, MI 49306

RACING:

• 8:45am: Team arrival.

• 9:00am: Captain and coxswain meeting.

• 9:30am: First event begins.

• Race Spreadsheet

• CrewTimer results

VOLUNTEERING:

• SignUp Genius

Venue:

• Kensington Metropark, Maple Beach, Milford, MI 48380

• Spectator parking: Google Maps | Apple Maps

• The park has a $10/day/vehicle park pass requirement.

RACING:

• First event begins at 8:20am.

• Race Spreadsheet

• CrewTimer results

VOLUNTEERING:

• SignUp Genius

Venue:

• Head of the Grand is held on the Grand River in Lansing, MI. The MSU Crew Club Boathouse (as well as main venue locations) are all located within the Grand River Park.

• Address: Grand River Park, Lansing, MI 48917 (Google Maps | Apple Maps)

• The park is public and parking is free in the venue. When you enter the park, you will want to turn left to make your way to the main regatta area.

• There will be four local food trucks at the regatta.

RACING:

• First event begins at 9:00am.

• Race Spreadsheet

• CrewTimer results

VOLUNTEERING:

• SignUp Genius

Head of the Grand video from 2000 👇

Information:

Volunteer Signup

Race Spreadsheet

Join us for our Parent Meeting, where we'll go over all the details of the upcoming rowing season. This is your chance to get the inside scoop, meet the coaches, and ask any questions you may have. Whether you're new to the team or a returning family, we look forward to seeing you there and getting ready for an exciting season ahead.

The annual Start of Summer Parade is Saturday, June 15 beginning at 11:00am.

This is a big opportunity to make families and future rowers aware of our program. We want to go big and loud to build awareness and support recruiting. All team members are expected and encouraged to walk in the parade.

meeting:

We enter the parade at Wolverine and E Main Street. We’re group number 83. Look for the numbers to find our group along the parade route. We will likely be on Wolverine Street to start (see attached map at bottom for our meeting place and route).

When parents drop off their athlete they will have to walk to our designated spot in line. The best place to drop off athletes is at Parkside Elementary Ram Stadium.

Arrival Time:

Students should arrive between 9:45 and no later than 10:15am. Police and city workers will not allow any students or parade participants in after 10:15am. Parking will be a bit difficult to find due to construction downtown.

Attire:

Students should wear Rockford Rowing clothing or RAM pride colors.

If any parents are interested in passing out candy in the parade, let us know. Join us and wear Rockford Rowing/Ram pride colors walk alongside!

Reminders:

• Candy must be thrown underhand only. Do not throw overhand.

• Do not exit the parade route early.

• Be cautious of young children along the parade route (especially if they venture into the street/parade route).

Parade End:

We will end up in the RAM field behind Parkside Elementary. Parents will NOT be allowed to drive on Monroe Street for pickup. If you could plan on meeting your athlete there, we will walk them back to Parkside at the conclusion of the parade.

In case of rain:

The parade will take place rain or shine, plan accordingly for weather.

event:

• Location: Kensington Park - Apple Maps | Google Maps

Travel and accommodations:

• Students should be at the buses 2:45pm on Friday. Buses leave at 3:00pm.

• Lodging: Holiday Inn Express Wixom - Apple Maps | Google Maps
  48953 Alpha Drive, Wixom, MI 48393

Racing:

• Regatta Central

• Crew Timer

• Rockford Rowing Spreadsheet

Volunteers:

• Volunteer Signup Genius

Parent info:

• Volunteer signup

• Bus arrives at the HS at 3:30am—students should arrive 10 minutes early

• Spectator parking: Google Maps | Apple Maps

Racing:

• Time trials begin at ~7:30am (more details to come)

• Martindale Sprints Spreadsheet

• CrewTimer

• 2023 course overview (video)

HELPFUL info FOR NOVICE PARENTS:

1. The bus leaves early so SET MULTIPLE ALARMS. If your kid misses the bus, they can’t race. If your kid can’t race, the whole boat may have to scratch. If the whole boat has to scratch, it's misery for everyone.

2. Kensington is a huge animal preserve. There are no street lights and it is INCREDIBLY DARK! If you have a headlamp, bring it, especially if you're on tent setup.

3. It's a good, brisk 10-minute walk from the parking area to the beach on a paved and not terrible trail. But if you're exhausted or trying to outrun an approaching storm, it's not short so BRING A WAGON! There is no running home between races and it's 20+ minute drive to the nearest restaurant. There are often food trucks but they're not a certainty. BRING A COOLER AND CHAIR!

4. Umbrellas and pop-up tents are prohibited on the beach. This is strictly (and weirdly) enforced. You could put up a tent on the grassy area, but you will be sacrifiching the best view so BRING YOUR RAINCOAT!

5. So of the worst sunburns ever seen have happened on the beach at this regatta. While it's still early in the season we're exiting winter in Michigan so do not be complacent. YOU AND YOUR KIDDOS NEED TO USE SUNSCREEN!

6. There will be a tent selling all kinds of regatta merch. Your kids will want something. BRING $$$.

7. GIVE EXTRA TIME to find your way and please be kind to the parking attendants. They are volunteers who love their kids and this sport so please don't run them over.

8. VOLUNTEER and get involved! Meet other people who are also wondering how this has become their life These are now your people :)

9. RESPECT THE BOUNDARIES! Being able to get the boats on and off the water efficiently helps keep the event running smoothly and as close to on-time as possible.

10. Bring CAMERAS, PORTABLE CHARGERS, and BINOCULARS. These are your new best friend. There are going to be fleeting moments and epic memories that you will want to grab with both hands

    (This most excellent advice shared by the wonderful Novice Liaison: Mandy Dickerson!)

event:

Location: 2001 Monroe Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505 (Google Maps)

Parking: Parking is available in the Monroe parking lot off the entry road. Additional limited parking is available at the North end of the access road.

Volunteers and Setup:

• Details to come.

• Volunteer sign-up here

Racing:

• Racing starts at 8:30am and is scheduled to finish by 11:30am.

• List of events

Links:

• Regatta Central

• CrewTimer Results

event:

Location: Jupiter Boathouse

Time: Athletes should arrive by 7:15am.

Parking: Athletes may drive themselves but must park towards the back of the boathouse.

Uniform:

• Varsity and JV uniform: wear your uni. If yours hasn’t arrived, please ask to borrow one.

• Novice uniform: wear your racing tank. If it has not arrived, please wear your spring shirt.

Misc: No cowbell allowed but please cheer for our boats as loud as you can!

Racing:

Athletes will launch upstream from the dock. The start line is in the cove, upstream from the boathouse. Athletes will race downstream and will race by the dock with around 150 meters left.

The finish line will be around 150 meters downstream from the boathouse. Athletes will return to the dock upstream as they would during practice.

parents:

First race is at 8:15am. Parents and spectators should arrive around 8:00am.

Athletes have priority for parking in the gravel lot. Parents may parallel park down the driveway or on the west side of the boathouse in the grass.

There is no overflow parking reserved since this is a smaller race. Please do your best to consolidate the number of vehicles you take to the boathouse.

Volunteers

Volunteer sign-up form.

Links:

Northview Scrimmage sheet

Location and further details to be finalized.

event:

• Buses leave Rockford High School at 7:00am.

• Students should arrive by 6:45am.

• Location: Forest Hills Central High School, 5901 Hall St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

parent info:

• The first race is expected to start at 9:00am.

• Awards ceremonies are expected to be complete by 2:00pm.

• In the past there has not been a parking fee for this event.

• Expect an admission fee (amount and ‘cash only’ unknown).

• There are usually vendors with booths selling various items

• No parent volunteers are needed for this event.

• Find the Rockford Rowing parent section and come sit with us—we will be making lots of noise!

Links:

Details to come.

All seven of the following steps must be completed to sign your athlete up for the Spring 2024 Rowing season. If any of these steps are incomplete, your athlete will not be eligible for the first day of practice.

1. Medical Form

   • Print and turn in your Rockford Rowing Emergency Medical Information to your coach before practice on March 11

2. Code of Conduct Form

   • Print and turn in the Rockford Rowing Spring ‘24 Athlete Code of Conduct to your coach before practice on March 11

3. Rower Information Sheet

   • Print and turn in the Rower Information sheet to your coach before practice on March 11

4. Rockford Rowing Spring Sign-Up Google Form

   • Complete the Rockford Rowing Spring 2024 Sign-Up by March 8 at noon

5. Rockford Public Schools Athlete Registration

   • Register your athlete with Rockford Public Schools by March 11 before 5:00pm. A copy of the athlete’s sports physical must be uploaded to practice.

6. Varsity and Novice Uniforms Mandatory Order

   • Order uniforms by March 11 by noon. Send payment to Rockford Rowing in one of the three ways listed below.

   • We will have uni’s, tech gear, tanks, and boathouse jackets available to try on for sizing at the Athlete Call-Out meeting on March 4 and again on Dock-In day on March 9.

   • JL Uniform sizing

   • JL Uniform and Boathouse Jacket Order Form

7. Send in Spring Dues payment of $700 (less fundraising athlete credit, notified by email)

   • Spring dues are due by March 11 by noon. Send payment through one of the three ways listed below.

   • If you would like to set up a three-month payment plan (March, April, May) or would like to inquire about a potential scholarship, email Rachel at treasurer@rockfordrowing.com by March 7 by noon.