February 21, 2021
THIS IS HOW WE ROW!

Practice Update
We've started the season with some weather challenges. We chose to start in February hoping for the best, but knowing that cold and snow was a possibility. We will continue to take advantage of the early season good weather when we can. You can see hope is on the horizon!

Forecast:
Monday, Feb 22 - snow during the day. Look for a Remind text regarding status of practice.

Wednesday, Feb 24 - Looking amazing! Sunny and 50 degrees!

Friday, Feb 26 - Sunny and 41 - definitely warm enough to row.

Saturday, Feb 27 - Precipitation but warm, plan to practice.




Boat Update

Our boats are currently still in Delaware at the WYRA Boathouse and should be moving up to the new boathouse this week. Next step is rigging the boats (most likely this Wednesday).
CARPOOL INFO
GV Crew staff is NOT arranging carpools for you. We are providing this list to make it easier for you to contact others to pair up and form your own carpool. If you have trouble finding a carpool, please email me (Robin) at gvcrewm@gmail.com and I can put out a remind and help if needed.

Use THIS LINK to get to the EDITABLE Google Spreadsheet.
Read and follow the directions carefully.

*This list was created using the information provided by GVCO from current registrations as of Wednesday, 2/17. If you don't see your name on the list and you'd like to participate, I can add you (just let me know) or you can add yourself to the spreadsheet in the extra blank areas.
GV CREW OPEN HOUSE
Do you know someone who is curious about crew? Invite them to attend the GV Crew Open House
on Saturday, March 6 to get a feel for this unique sport.

New Rowers who attend the open house can register by March 8.

Click HERE to register to attend the open house.
GV Crew Info Meeting
If you missed our ZOOM Meeting on Wednesday, February 3 for our Spring Season Information Session, you can view the slideshow here:

Get Text Updates with REMIND
REMIND is the #1 way to stay on top of what is going on
in GV Crew.

Besides reminders for certain events, this texting service is used by the coaches to give updates if a practice needs to be changed or cancelled on short notice.

Join the GV Crew REMIND group for Crew updates
& reminders via TEXT

To join, send @hfdbb to the number 81010
Spring Registration
Registration for the GV Crew Spring Season is now open.
Please register by February 15, 2021.

Fees
8th Grade Rowers - $550
9-12th Grade Rowers - $975


Other important dates:
Zoom Information Meeting - Wednesday, February 3 at 7pm
First Practice - Wednesday, February 17
OPEN HOUSE - Saturday, March 6 10am-1pm
Tentative Last Practice - May 17



Practices are MWF 3:45-6:15 and Saturdays 10:00-1:00

Practices are held at John S. Trinsey Jr. Boathouse
(Upper Merion Boathouse) in Bridgeport, PA.

  • There is no experience necessary for you to row with us!
  • Boys & Girls Grades 8-12. Note: 8th graders can train and practice, but are not eligible to compete in the regattas.
  • There is NO TRANSPORTATION provided to practices or to regattas in Philly, NJ and DEL. There is a voluntary and optional parent-led carpool for those that want to participate.
  • PLEASE NOTE:  This is a competitive rowing team, we need your full commitment to all practices and regattas. We need the whole team at every practice to ensure we can get on the water ever day the weather conditions allow.
  • Registration fees cover many costs including boathouse rental, boat purchases and maintenance, insurance, and coaches salaries. We strive to fundraise and keep our fees low. We are proud to say that our fees remain lower than other comparable programs.

SWIM TEST
All rowers who have not previously completed the swim test with GV Crew will need to do a test early in the season. We are currently arranging a few dates/times and should have more info in our next newsletter.

What is the swim test? Rowers will need to swim 2 lengths of the pool (50 meters) and tread water for 5 minutes wearing sweats.
Pro-tip: wear a regular sweatshirt, not a hoodie.

This season, we will test in smaller groups to allow for more distancing.
Regatta Calendar
All Regatta dates are tentative at this point due to Covid guidelines.
GV Crew will still train competitively and prepare for regattas and will also actively pursue other outlets for competition.

Philadelphia - Schuylkill River
Manny Flick #1 - March 28, 2021
Manny Flick #2 - April 11, 2021
Manny Flick #3 - April 18, 2021
Manny Flick #4 - April 25, 2021
City Champs - May 1-2, 2021
Stotesbury Cup - May 14-15, 2021

Camden, NJ - Cooper River
Nationals - May 28-29, 2021
Volunteers
As you may know, we need "all hands on deck" to keep GV Crew "afloat".

All puns aside, please consider where you may be able to help. Below is a list of volunteers. Though the bigger roles are filled (Yay!), we will still need all families to contribute from time to time.

Program Director: JOHN BREWER - gvcrewpd@gmail.com
The program director works closely with the coaches and the GV Crew Board of Directors to see that everything runs smoothly for GV Crew.

Marketing/Communications: ROBIN BREWER - gvcrewm@gmail.com
Sends newsletters, emails, and oversees social media and REMIND text messages.

Treasurer/Uniforms/Spirit wear: LINDA McCARTHY - mcpip516@gmail.com
Keeps track of income and expenses and reports back to program director and GVCO. Also orders/sells uniforms and spirit wear. Thank you to previous treasurer, Pat McDonald!

Hospitality: YI-MING CHIU - chiuym@yahoo.com
Coordinates refreshments and hospitality tent for regattas. Also, help plan other team events like start-of-season/end-of-season picnics. You will receive plenty of support from our amazing previous hospitality chairs, Allen and Laura Brinton.

Carpool: ALLYSON BABCOCK - babcock4@comcast.net
Organizes parent carpool for team practices. Has done an incredible job for several seasons already!

Rower Spotlight: VIJAYA PRISSAPRAGADA - p_vijaya76@yahoo.com
Prepare team spotlight features for social media and newsletters. This is a new one, we are looking forward to a more personalized highlight of our team members! Thanks Vijaya!

Fundraising: THERESA FRIEDMAN AND MEG JOY
theresadfriedman@gmail.com and megjoy@comcast.net
Oversees several fundraisers for the team, including annual Blue Jean Ball.
We need a new chairperson, however, you will have a lot of support from our previous chair, Jen Grobe, as well as others who have helped in the past. Jen has done an incredible job for us in the past and we are so thankful!
COVID Safety Plan

Please read our COVID Safety Guidelines HERE.
Or you can download the PDF HERE
Email Updates
Would you like an additional email to receive our newsletter or would you like to unsubscribe? Email Robin at gvcrewm@gmail.com
Questions about GV Crew? Contact John Brewer at gvcrewpd@gmail.com
For additions to the newsletter: Email Robin Brewer at gvcrewm@gmail.com
Great Valley Community Organization
GVCO Caring Hands
GVCO Caring Hands and Surrey Services for Seniors combined their resources to locate and provide GIANT Food gift cards to seniors in need in our Great Valley Community. Through fund raising efforts, Caring Hands had the gift cards and Surrey Services network had the connections to the people in need. We look forward to continuing to work with Surrey to help seniors in our community.

Learn more about GVCO Caring Hands - what we have done, who we are helping and how you can get involved.
Great Valley Basketball League
GVBL Double Elimination Playoffs are in full swing

Catch the latest brackets in the GVBL News and Updates
Siddhant Suresh Scholarship Fund
This scholarship fund was created to honor the memory of Siddhant Suresh, a wonderful son and brother, beloved community member and an outstanding student who loved basketball and chess. Siddhant was a GVBL tournament team and recreation league player, who enjoyed the sport and played it with great team spirit and enthusiasm.

As a selfless player on the basketball court, and a true, caring friend off the court, Siddhant epitomizes the values on which our Great Valley Community organization is built…family, friends and community. This scholarship is designed to help others who may need assistance, giving them the opportunity to participate in GVCO programming.
See the Future GVCO Community Center
We need your help to finish what we've started! We will not get the necessary financing to complete the project without raising additional funds.

DONATE NOW to finalize the building of our brand new GVCO Community Center!

The time is NOW.... Together we can make it happen!
GVCO Sponsor
Chuck Barbera Team of Realtors/ RE/MAX Partners with GVCO in "Realtors Giving Back"!
BUYING OR SELLING YOUR HOME?

Over the next year, for anyone who contacts the Chuck Barbera Team at RE/MAX Fine Homes and signs them to serve in the purchase or sale of their next home, GVCO will receive 10% of the real estate commission received!

Let's DO GOOD TOGETHER!!!  
Does your company match employee gifts? It's a great way to maximize your impact!

List of companies with corporate matching gift programs. Please check your company policy.
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Great Valley Crew