Regattas are fun, relaxing, sociable events—if you have a plan! Here are a few tips from for parents to get you started.

Season Prep:

• Before the first race of the season, decide on a tote or backpack that you will use as your regatta bag, pack it with the essentials, and leave it packed for the season. Replenish as the season progresses. Include items such as travel packs of tissues, hand wipes, sunscreen, binoculars, pen and small pad of paper, and head gear like a cap, visor or crushable hat (you will be in the sun all day—plan your head covering accordingly).
• You’ll probably want to purchase a folding chair (or chairs) with carrying straps if you don’t already have one.

On-Site Tips:

• You will typically have to walk a good distance from where you park to the SCC tent. Make sure the items you bring to the site are lightweight, have wheels and/or good shoulder straps, etc. It is well worth investing in purchasing “the right stuff” if you don’t already have it (keep an eye out for bargains or head to the camping/outdoors department at local stores and you won’t spend a lot).
• Bring a camera and binoculars (both optional, but you’ll be glad you did).
• Your rower should have a sleeping bag or quilt and a pillow at regattas for comfortable resting between races. You can buy a lightweight, washable, inexpensive sleeping bag at Wal-Mart or Target.

Getting There:

• If you provided email addresses when your rower registered for the season, then you are on the Google Groups email list for Camp Randall Rowing Club. The OARacle e-newsletter includes information about coming events as well as detailed itineraries for regattas. Be sure to check your email, and add camprandallrowingclub@gmail.com as one of your contacts to help keep our communications out of your spam folder.
• Itineraries include driving directions for nearby regattas. You can also use resources such as Google Maps or Mapquest. Print out directions and bring them along. You may want to cut and paste the directions into a document and rework it on your own PC so the text is large enough for you to read in the dark. Those of you with GPS equipment can skip this step, although it can be helpful to have printed directions as a backup.

What to Wear:

• Often, it’s chilly when we arrive and blazing hot by noon. LAYER! Make one of your layers a windbreaker or something that can take a light rain. Don’t wear shoes that can’t get dirty!
• Bring a hat or visor—it’s a long day in the sun. You can still get a sunburn when it’s overcast.

Planning Ahead:

• We generally must arrive at race sites EARLY (and ON TIME). Take a few minutes the night before to load the car and lay out clothes for a quick exit in the morning.
• The Night Before:
  • Have your rower pack his/her bag with additional clothing that may be needed, schoolwork to bring, any prescribed medications, inhalers, or EpiPens, and maybe a deck of cards or a game for downtimes between races.
  • Load the car with your regatta bag, chair(s), sleeping bag, a light blanket, and a couple of pillows so your rower can doze back off while you drive. 2 – 3 pillows pile up nicely so your rower can be in a comfortable position (it’s all about the rower!). Your “site” sleeping bag can double as a blanket.
  • GET YOUR DIRECTIONS OUT and put them on the front seat.
  • Prepare any food you plan to bring for spectators (CRRC feeds rowers well!). Leave the bag or cooler near the refrigerator so you actually remember to get the chilled items out! Be sure to bring water.
  • Brain Support Suggestion: Tape a note to the door leading to the garage with a reminder of things that are not packed in the car (remember to bring your rower!). It’s tough to exercise total recall at 5 in the morning.
  • Check the weather: Races will take place even when there is some rain predicted—bring something waterproof and lightweight, like a windbreaker with a hood. Coaches will let you know if a race is cancelled due to weather.
  • Get to bed on time!!!!!
• Make sure you have you rower’s unisuit or tank/t-shirt and trou ready! It’s generally better to wear the unisuit or trou while traveling vs. dressing on site.

Arrival and Staking your Claim:

• Rowers need to head to wherever the boat trailer is parked to help with setup.
• Parents should head to the SCC tent area as soon as you get to the site and set up your chair(s) somewhere comfortable. If you want to reserve a place near the water, set your chair down as soon as you get there—waterside fills up fast.

Race and Eating Schedule:

• A schedule is posted at the rowers’ tent. The schedule can change the day of the race.
• Food is the fuel that drives the rower that drives the boat. To avoid bonking or hurling, rowers must eat the right food at the appropriate times. Rowers: don’t put off eating; it may get to be too late!
• CRRC’s Parent Committee includes a dedicated food preparation crew. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are set up for rowers at the tent. Coffee is available for parents.

Entertainment:

• Regattas are long days and there is generally lots of down time between races. Bring your favorite reading material or a laptop—or hang around the food tent and chat with your fellow CRRC parents.
• Dogs are usually welcome, but they must be on leash—and please only bring dogs that do well in boisterous crowds. Check the park’s web site for rules.