Montclair High School Crew

Expectations, Rules and Codes of Conduct

Spring 2014
The following information is specific to the Montclair High School
rowing program. This should be read through carefully, and
understood, by all athletes and parents.
Montclair Crew Athletes are expected to demonstrate the highest
level of conduct, sportsmanship and behavior when they are
representing our school and our community. We expect our
athletes to be responsible for their actions and uphold our team
values. To be a successful team requires athletes to work together
respectfully.
Rowing is unique in its demand for perfect attendance. Our spring
season demands 100% commitment. We go into 2014 having had
yet another highly successful season. To continue with this
success hard work is required from everyone involved and
complete commitment from our athletes.

Training.
Training is held at the Passaic river and on land training days, at
MHS. Athletes must wear appropriate clothing and bring plenty of
water. Rowers need tight clothing, layers for the cold weather and
a waterproof top, running shoes must be worn/brought to every
practice.
Car pools are organised by the athletes and parents.
Practice is held in all weather. If high wind or thunderstorms stop
on-the-water practice, a land session may be organised. It is not
always possible for coaches to make a decision about the
conditions until they reach the river. Parents need to be flexible
and prepared.
Rowers and Parents: During the season our website:
www.montclaircrew.com should be checked regularly
throughout the day. Please also check your emails.

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY

Attendance

Practice is mandatory. Practice takes place four days a week after

school AND every weekend throughout the season. We will be
racing every weekend from early April through end of May. We
usually race on Sundays, although at least two races are on
Saturday. Most races are in Philadelphia.
No crew athlete is allowed to be absent for spring break. There
are absolutely no exceptions to this rule. Anyone who cannot fulfill
this commitment should not try out for the crew team. Any
athlete who is absent for any reason, other than exceptional
circumstances cleared by the Head Coach, can be removed from
their boat and the team, with immediate effect
Excused Absence: Excused absences are allowed in exceptional
circumstances. Remember it is the responsibility of the ATHLETE
to contact the Head Coach, as far in advance as possible, to
inform them of their inability to attend a practice and request
permission to be absent. Vacations are NOT exceptional
circumstances. Sickness and injury require a note from a Doctor.
Although an absence may be excused, your seat in a boat may
not be held for you.
Unexcused Absence: If the head coach is not notified or
considers an absence to be unexcused, then this may result in an
athletes removal from a boat and/or removal from the team.
Please understand that anyone missing practice for any
reason disrupts the entire team, as people have to be
moved around, and in most cases, entire boats cannot
practice. It may also mean a boat cannot race due to
insufficient preparation.
Parents: Please do not schedule doctors appointments,
tutors, or anything else for your child during practice
hours. Please always consult with the head coach first.
Injury and sickness policy - Injuries and medical issues must
be communicated directly to the coaching staff. Any athlete who
is injured or sick and cannot take the try out 2k, MUST be
medically cleared and able to try out by 24th February 2014.

In the spring racing season, any athlete who has missed practice
due to serious injury or sickness, must be cleared by a doctor and
must be able to fully participate in all training on their return.
There is no guarantee that a seat will be held for any athlete who
is sick or injured. This may mean exclusion from practice and
racing for all or part of the spring season
COACHING COMMUNICATION
Communication from the coaches takes place in several ways.
- Email by Constant Contact sent to all parents and athletes
(please make sure current email addresses have been submitted
to us).
- Montclair Crew website www.montclaircrew.com Up to date
information will be posted on our webpage.
- Athlete facebook page. Managed by Team Captains (overseen by
coaches)
- Text to athletes when information has to be passed urgently.
- Information sent home with athletes.
General questions during the season can be directed to your
specific coach.
Any other questions or concerns should be directed to the Head
Coach.
jeremymichalitsianos@hotmail.com
Regatta preparation
Every athlete is required to attend boat loading and unloading,
before and after, all races. No exceptions. No one leaves until
every boat is loaded/unloaded and coaches have given
permission to leave. All athletes travel to and from regattas by
bus. No athlete is allowed to leave a regatta early.
Academics
It is every athletes responsibility to do their school work. Learning
to manage your time is essential.
When possible, please schedule prep classes and SAT exams prior
to or after, the Spring Season.

Lightweight policy.
Lightweight girls

130lbs Lightweight boys

150lbs (TBD)

All athletes wishing to race lightweight must inform the head

coach at the beginning of winter training. The head coach will
decide, in consultation with athletes and parents, if an athlete can
race in this category. Lightweight athletes will be weighed
throughout winter and spring training.
SRAA Nationals.
MHS Crew will only enter SRAA Nationals if it is logistically
feasible. The team goal is Stotesbury Regatta and our training
program is designed with this in mind. Only those crews who
qualify, and are of the standard to make a final, will participate.
MHS Crew will not petition for crews to be entered.
Varsity Letters.
MHS Crew will award Varsity Letters to team members who have
met a certain standard. To qualify, team members must have
competed in at least four varsity events over a season, this
includes lightweight categories. Younger or B crews, who race in
varsity events, due to entry restrictions in their own age group,
will not be eligible.
Team Captains
While team captains are not expected to police other team
members, they are expected to lead by example and may need to
remind team members, who are violating any of the team rules,
that such behavior will have a negative impact on the team and
could be cause for disciplinary action. Team captains may
sometimes need the help of the athletes. Please assist them when
asked.
Coxswains
MHS Crew Coxswains support the coaching staff. All athletes are
expected to listen to and respect what the coxswain says and
does.

Managers
MHS Crew Managers support our athletes and our coaching staff.
All athletes are expected to listen to and respect what the
Manager says. Managers will need the help of the athletes during
loading/unloading and on race days. Please assist them when
asked.

Attitude and Behavior

All MHS crew athletes are expected to demonstrate the highest
level of conduct, sportsmanship, and behavior whenever they
represent the team, the school and the community.
We expect all athletes to be considerate of their teammates and
coaches. Disrespectful, disparaging and abusive comments or
other improper behavior towards teammates, coaches, and adults
will not be tolerated.
Any team member who violates our rules will be subject to
disciplinary action by the Head Coach. Further violations will
mean the involvement of the MHS Director of Athletics.
The Head Coach reserves the right to suspend any athlete from
the team with immediate effect, if their actions are considered
serious enough.
ALCOHOL AND DRUGS
We are a highly successful competitive racing team, and as such,
the use of these substances is unacceptable. Anyone found to be
violating this rule during practices, regattas, and/or on away trips
will be referred immediately to the Montclair High School
administration.
Remember, you are an athlete that has spent countless hours
training and working on your strength and fitness. Using these
substances negatively affects all the hard work you have
achieved. The team is self-policed all the athletes watching out
for one another. Respect yourself and your team mates. Ask
yourself, would you want to sit on the start of a race, knowing
that one of your crew is not in top condition.

REGATTA SCHEDULE 2014

21st - 28th February - Boat rigging will begin. Groups will go to
river to help coaches.
Saturday March 1st - Spring season starts.
Sunday March 30th - 3rd Manny Flick
Weigh in.

Philadelphia.

Sunday April 6th - 4th Manny Flick Philadelphia.

Full team. Lwt

Full team.

Saturday April 12th - Overpeck Regional Youth Regatta. Teaneck. Full team.
Sunday April 13th- 5th Manny Flick Philadelphia.

Full team.

Spring Break 18th to 27th April - Training camp. double sessions.

Saturday April 26th - NJ State Championships. Cooper River NJ. Full team.
Sunday May 4th

- City Championships. Philadelphia. Full team.

May 15/16/17

- Stotesbury Cup Regatta. Philadelphia. Full Team

May 23/24

- SRAA Nationals. Mercer. Qualifying crews only

ATHLETES EQUIPMENT AND ATTIRE.

REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE - No plastic bottles.
MANDATORY KIT - UNISUIT, WHITE UNDER ARMOUR LONG SLEEVE, CAPS
HAT - Cold weather
CAP - Warm weather
SPANDEX SHORTS
TIGHTS
T SHIRTS
LONG SLEEVED TIGHT UNDER ARMOUR OR EQUIVALENT X 2
CLOSE FITTING TOP
WATERPROOF JACKET
CLOSE FITTING THIN FLEECE
SWEATPANTS AND TOP - FOR OFF THE WATER
SNEAKERS
10MM WRENCH
FOR BLISTERS
PLASTERS
TAPE
DESITIN OR ZINC OXIDE EQUIVALENT
TUBIGRIP
LIST FOR COXSWAINS - 10MM WRENCH AND ADJUSTABLE WRENCH.
COLD WEATHER
HAT
GLOVES
WATERPROOF JACKET (ski type)
WATERPROOF PANTS
FLEECE
UNDER ARMOUR OR EQUIVALENT - MULTIPLE LAYERS
THICK SOCKS
WARM FOOTWEAR
WARM WEATHER
SUNSCREEN
SUNGLASSES
CAP