Welcome to West Potomac Crew

Throughout this website you will read and learn about one of the most exciting programs offered at our school, West Potomac High School Crew. West Potomac Crew (started as Fort Hunt Crew) dates back to 1968. As a sport it is dynamic, competitive, challenging, demanding, exciting, rewarding, and beautiful. Crew has consistently attracted some of West Potomac High School’s best student athletes and their families.

Our training and competition program is both challenging and rewarding. Winter conditioning begins in mid-November, lasts through February, and culminates with the Mid-Atlantic Erg Sprints, an indoor event. The team starts on the water in late February to practice and prepare to participate in approximately 10 regattas. The regatta schedule includes races in some terrific settings, including Sandy Run (on the Occoquan River), Georgetown, and in other cities such as Philadelphia. If you have never been to a crew regatta, they are compelling events, each featuring many schools, colors, and shells (boats).

The head coach of the West Potomac Crew team is Jaime Rubini. Coach Rubini is in his fifth year leading the program. He brings unmatched experience as a highly competitive rower and coach. He heads an excellent and very experienced coaching staff.

As a club sport the crew program is overseen by the West Potomac Crew Boosters (WPCB). The Boosters Board of Directors consists of highly dedicated volunteers who include the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice Presidents for Operations, Ways and Means, and Administration, plus a member at large. Beyond the Board, there are many other parent volunteers who make very important contributions to the team. Some of these volunteer positions are still open, so if you are interested in filling a vacant slot, please contact us to discuss it.

WPCB is funded almost entirely by membership dues, fundraisers, and private donations, and has a budget of approximately $150,000 per year. Fundraising events include the Rowathon, Christmas Wreath Sale, Silent Auction, Tag Days and other events.

In addition to more traditional fundraising, last year we began to build up a Capital Fund to provide capital for the regular purchase of new racing shells (boats), as well as for longer term projects like a future boathouse. Our hope is that the Capital Fund will eventually enable WPCB to secure a permanent venue for practicing and indoor off-season boat storage.

In closing, the crew team will only be successful with a total team effort - parents, coaches and student athletes. That's a quick snapshot of West Potomac Crew. I am definitely looking forward to the 2010 racing season, and hope you are too!

Sincerely,

Dan Meyer
President, West Potomac Crew Boosters