Please scroll through some of the helpful information below and frequently asked questions.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall?

Crew at Cedar Creek is not a full school year sport, therefore athletes are encouraged to compete in different sports and self-run workouts in the Fall and Summer.

Rowers do not stop just because it is cold outside and the river is frozen!  Winter training is a great time to stay active and improve your fitness.  Our Winter season begins after Thanksgiving, usually December 1st, and comes to an end around late February. Here, rowers will practice at the school. These workouts consist of running, lifting in the weight room and rowing on our ergometer machines. If a student is competing in a Winter sport, they may join the team when that sport has concluded.

The Spring season begins in March and will end in late May. The team practices 5 days a week at the Mullica Marina and has 1 race day during the week. Regattas are held on both Lake Lenape in Mays Landing, the Cooper River in Camden and on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. Lake Lenape Sprints are held on Saturdays while Manny Flick Regattas in Philadelphia are held on Sundays.

Our medal races consist of  the New Jersey State Championship, Philadelphia City Championships, Atlantic County Championship, Stotesbury Regatta and SRAA National Regatta.

These regattas run on different schedules. See Regatta Central for more information.

 

FAQ’S: First year rowers and parents.

Get familiar with rowing terms!

Will I get wet?

• • Hopefully no, but probably. This IS a water sport. Come prepared with a change of clothes.

If I join the team will I always get to race?

• • At Cedar Creek we will give every athlete the chance to compete competitively. During the medal season (late April- mid May) we may move to a smaller squad and concentrate on more competitive boats.

Can I do another sport or activity at the same time?

• • Another sport, no. You may participate in another activity but make sure it does not interfere with our practice and race schedule.

Do I get a uniform?

• • You must purchase our uniform tank top for $35. Additional parts of the uniform (rowing trou and a long sleeve tech shirt) are not mandatory but will complete the full uniform.

What Should I wear?

• Spandex shorts or long spandex pants in the colder weather. Often referred to as compression wear. Loose fitting clothes can become caught in the sliding seat. You can easily find these in most athletic sections in stores. Target, Reebok and sporting stores often carry.
• Sneakers. Training is often done during practice, sneakers are required.
• In COLD WEATHER cotton is a rowers worst enemy. It traps water, moisture and sweat against the skin chilling you very quickly. Synthetic fabrics are better insulators, even when wet they help wick moisture away from the skin. Layer, wool hats and socks, and a windbreaker are all cold weather essentials.

Do I have to be on the team year around?

• • We encourage our athletes to participate in multiple sports at Cedar Creek during the Fall and Winter seasons. This allows us and every team to compete at a high level.

What is an Erg?

• • An ergometer or erg is what our athletes train on during the Winter months. This allows them to feel the basic rowing stroke and get into “rowing” shape. We use the Concept2 rowing machine.

What is an Erg score?

• • This is what the coaching staff will use to determine who will make which boat. Athletes will be scored on either 2k, 6k and 10k meter pieces.

How can I improve my Erg score?

• • Stay in shape throughout the year. Running, eating right and stretching will always help and never hurt.

Can I wear gloves while rowing?

• • Never

How can I prevent hand blisters?

• • Blisters are considered a badge of honor. Embrace them.

Can I get hurt while rowing?

• • A strained muscle is usually the most common injury.

How much does joining the team cost?

• • Athletes are expected to fundraise $500 throughout the year. There is no upfront fee. Several fundraisers are made available during the year; the Fall mums sale, Poinsettia Sale, Krispy Kreme Donuts sale, Designer Bag Bingo, selling tickets to our Beef and Beer and other opportunities throughout the season.

FAQ’s Race Day 

What should I bring to a race?

• Rowers: Change of clothes and plastic bag for wet clothes. Mainly in case it’s raining and you want dry clothes on after the race. Uniform and appropriate race wear based on weather.
• Families: Camp chair, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrella, binoculars for better viewing. We are riverside but there is not much shade at all!  Always dress in layers preparing for colder temps and winds near water. Grounds can be very muddy when raining or if it has been raining prior to race day.

Why can’t my rower drive to the race with me and have to take the bus?

• We are a team. Races start at specific times during the day and rowers are required to stay together with their boat before launching to race.  Plus this way we ensure everyone’s there on time.

Can I take my rower home?

• Once the race has ended the rowers will be dismissed by their coaches and will have the opportunity to ride home with their parents ONLY IF they have completed the Release Form (see the coaches for more details).

What’s going on at the boat trailer as rowers prepare to race?

• The rowers begin the morning by rigging (putting together) their boat. Before they launch to race, they are stretching, hydrating, and preparing mentally.  They will also have some time for relaxing at the boat trailer.

What’s going on at starting line?

• The referees are getting each boat into their starting positions. Most races are 6 boats wide and will be extremely chaotic, especially to novice rowers. Some races require an earlier launch time, but for most races the crews will launch 30-40 minutes before their race towards the staring line.

Why do the athletes/boats have to row from one of side of river to the other to start?

• Certain races require certain traffic patterns to ensure that all of the athletes are safe during their participation.

How should my rower prepare for a race/practice?

• The morning/afternoon of the race or practice they should eat a light breakfast/ lunch and check the weather. Rowers should dress accordingly (extra clothes are ALWAYS a good thing) and be prepared for anything (ex: running shoes at the river in case of low tides).

What should we do the night before a race?

• The night before the race you should get a good night’s sleep and relax. Set a reliable alarm and be prepared to walk out of the door with everything you need the following day.  Pack your bag and car the night before!

Should my rower eat before a race?

• The rower will report to the boat trailer about 2 hours before their race. They may eat, but it should be a light meal (apple, power bar, gatorade).  Nothing too heavy.  A good protein and carbohydrates packed dinner the night before is equally important.

How are boat line ups determined?

• The coaches hold full discretion as to who makes a certain boat. Boat lineups are determined by an athletes determination, dedication and attendance. Erg scores, which are recorded during the Winter season, will also play a major part in determining who will be in which boat.

How are boats entered into race categories?

• Rowing shells are broken down into a few different categories:
  Singles
  Pair/ Doubles (sculling)
  Fours/ Quads (sculling)
  Eights
  All of these different categories can be rowed as either a “heavy weight” or “lightweight” (under 150 lbs for boys and 130 lbs for girls) boats. The coaches hold full discretion over which athletes race in which regatta.

How can boats be disqualified during a race?

• Boats can be disqualified a few different ways. Hitting another crew, cutting another crew off and cursing are the most common.

More Helpful Information

Lake Lenape races sponsored by ACRA  WHERE: Lake Lenape, Mays Landing

Spectators entrance is right next to Young’s skating center. As you enter you will be greeted by parking attendants.
Parking $5 Cash Only
PARKING is available in front of river at this entrance, which is most convenient for $5.

Free parking has moved to the municipal building with free jitneys running back and forth.
DROP OFF rowers on the other side of lake, camp side.
OUR SPOT: The pavilion is located pretty much straight walk from parking entrance.  Towards the left, right next to official building.
Public bathrooms are available nearby.

SCHUYLKILL River races sponsored by PSRA  WHERE: Schuylkill River, Philadelphia.

Route 76 Directions, exit 340A
Make a left onto Kelly Drive. Merge onto Kelly drive and continue for approximately .2 miles until road block.  No choice but to keep left, up the hill for lawn and street parking, towards strawberry mansion hill.  Complete directions can be found on our Regatta info page link.
Parking $10-$15 Cash Only
Walk back down the hill toward Kelly Drive and walk past that same road block, our tent is located a short walk down. There are free shuttles that run to and from the parking areas.
We have our own clean porta-potty! Located next to our tent.

Enjoy the day cheering the races! It’s a lovely way to spend the day if you can. You are encouraged to walk around and soak it all in! There is bleacher seating near the finish line for spectators. Our rowers load on our side of the river so you can follow them down to watch as they prepare. You will notice families out biking, jogging, walking dogs.  Have fun and thanks for all your dedication and support!

We welcome any and all questions! You can always reach us on our Contact page.