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 been home to the best students and families that West Potomac has to offer.

Crew is overseen by the West Potomac Crew Boosters (WPCB), its Board of Directors, and its coaches. The Board 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. We also have a great coaching staff. Our head coach, Jaime Rubini, is in his third year as a West Potomac Wolverine. He brings unmatched experience as a highly competitive rower and coach. He heads a fine group of very experienced assistant coaches.

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 Tur-Krew Trot 5K run, Rowathon, Christmas Wreath Sale, Silent Auction, Tag Day and car washes. This year we have started with a great event, the Beats Workin' Bash, which has gotten our fundraising off to the best start ever. Many thanks to the Snows and the Weilers for making this event a terrific success.

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.

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 (near Occoquan), 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).

In closing, the crew team can only be successful by a total team effort - parents, coaches and student athletes. Beyond the Board, there are many other parent volunteers who make great contributions to the team. Some of these volunteer positions are still open, so if anyone is interested in filling a vacant slot, please contact us to discuss it.

That's a quick snapshot of West Potomac Crew. I am definitely looking forward to the 2008 season, and hope you are too!

Sincerely,
Dave Wilson

President, West Potomac Crew Boosters