1. What is Alexandria Community Rowing
(ACR)?
Alexandria Community Rowing (ACR) is a rowing club within the Washington, D.C.
area that provides recreational and competitive rowing opportunities for adults
rowers of all ages and skill levels. We are affiliated with the Alexandria Crew
Boosters, Inc., which supports the T.C.
Williams High School rowing program. Given our affiliation and support,
ACR has access to one of the most modern and fully equipped boathouses in the
Washington, D.C. area.
2. Where is ACR located and how can
I contact the Club?
ACR is located at the Dee Campbell Rowing Facility at One Madison Street in
Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. To get directions, check our Directions
page. Our mailing address and telephone number is:
Alexandria Community Rowing Club
P.O Box 16431
Alexandria, Virginia 22302
3. How big is ACR?
ACR consists of approximately 175 adults ranging in age from the mid-20s to
the mid-70s. About 50% are sweep rowers and approximately 50% are scullers.
4. Is there a waiting list to join ACR?
No, currently there is no waiting list to join ACR. However, the Novice Sculling
classes fills up quickly.
5. When is your rowing season
and when do you normally row?
Our rowing season is 7 months long - from the first of April to the end of October.
Our members normally row from 5:30 a.m. until 7:00 a.m. every other morning
(Monday, Wednesday, and Friday OR Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday).
6. What programs are offered by ACR?
ACR provides both sweep and sculling coached programs. Sweep rowers must join
a coached program. Scullers may row either in a coached program or independently.To
better understand the programs offered check out the Programs
page.
7. How can I join ACR?
To join ACR, you need to know how to swim and the basics of rowing. You are
required to sign an ACR membership form, a New Member form, a liability release
form, and pay dues for the rowing program that you want to join. Contact one
of the ACR email contacts for more questions:
- Sweeping inquiries: Peter Stramese, pstramese@meicompany.com
- Sculling inquiries: Terry Grindstaff, tgrinders@aol.com
8. How much are the dues?
The average annual fee to join ACR is $555. This consists of $275 for an ACR
membership fee, $40 to become an affiliate member of Alexandria Crew Booster,
Inc, and from $210 to $290 for coaching, depending upon the program. Dues may
be paid on an annual or semi-annual basis. For a complete list of our dues based
upon the different rowing programs, check the Programs
page.
9. Do you have an introductory rowing
program?
ACR offers an introductory rowing course only for "novice sculling"
(rowing with 2 oars)which is described on the Programs page. An introductory
"novice sweep" course (rowing with 1 oar) is offered each summer (mid-June
through July) by the Alexandria Crew Boosters. Information on the "novice
sweep" course can be found on the T.C. Williams rowing website (www.tcwcrew.org)
10. If I can't get into your novice
sculling class, what other novice rowing classes are available?
Other rowing clubs in the Washington, D.C. area offer novice rowing courses.
Check out these clubs by going to our webpage and clicking on Links.
11. I learned how to row a few years
ago but haven't rowed since then. I'd like to start rowing again. What do I
need to do?
You should come down to the boathouse and demonstrate your rowing proficiency
to a coach. Then you can join the Club. See answer to Question
#7.
12. I am returning home from college
for the summer and have rowed in college. I would like to row with your Club
over the summer. What do I need to do?
You should come down to the boathouse and demonstrate your rowing proficiency
to a coach. . Rowing over the summer is contingent on the availability of empty
seats in a boat. For collegiate rowers who row only over the summer, a $75 fee
is charged. Contact one of the ACR contacts if you want to join ACR for the
summer:
- Sweeping inquiries: Peter Stramese, pstramese@meicompany.com
- Sculling inquiries: Terry Grindstaff, tgrinders@aol.com
13. I have my own boat. May I store
it in your boathouse? Who do I need to talk to and how much does it cost?
ACR has a limited number of racks we rent to members who have privately owned
single sculls. You must be a member to rent a rack. Racks are only for single
sculling boats, we have no rack space for other types of watercraft. To inquire
about space availability contact Jack Hickey at hmb-inv@att.net.
Current fees are as follows:
| Membership Fee | $275 |
| Crew Booster Fee | 40 |
| Rack Rental | 200 |
| Total Annually | $515 |
14. Does ACR participate in regattas?
Yes. ACR trains rowers for competitive racing. The club participates in most
local and regional "sprint" (2,000 meter) and "head" (3-mile)
races. Examples of regional regattas are the Head of the Potomac, Diamond States,
Head of the Schuylkill, Head of the Charles, and the Head of the Occoquan. Check
out the racing schedule on the Calendar
page.
15. Are there other rowing clubs in
the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area?
There are other rowing clubs in the Washington, D.C. area. Check them out on
our Links page.
16. What programs does ACR offer during
the off-season (November - March)?
During the off-season, ACR offers Winter Conditioning to utilitze the erg and
weight equipment in the boathouse to maintain and build physical condition,
strength, and endurance. The program is open to all, however ACR members have
priority. There are both morning (5:45-7:00AM) and evening (6:30-8:00PM) sessions.
The fee for the entire winter season in 2003-2004 is $125 for ACR members and
$175 for non-members. For more information, contact Jack Hickey at hmb-inv@att.net.
In addition, on the first Saturday in February each year, many area rowers compete
in the annual Mid-Atlantic
Erg Sprints, the second largest CRASH-B satellite indoor rowing regatta.
Racers who qualify may win a trip to compete in the Crash-B event in Boston
each spring.
17. Are there any coaching opportunities
at ACR?
We are always looking for experienced, committed, and reliable coaches. If you
have coaching experience and are available to coach rowing in the mornings from
5:30 am - 7:00 am, please contact Alan Weatherley, ACR's Program Dockmaster
at programs-dm@rowalexandria.com.