Instructions

Select (click on or touch) each step below and follow the instructions within each section. You must complete all steps to register.

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

An athlete is eligible if he or she...

• is in grade 9, 10, 11, or 12.
• has prior rowing experience or has completed a Learn to Row program.
• is a resident of Pittsford or of a neighboring district that does not have a rowing club team of its own.
  • If your district has a rowing club/team, we encourage you to register with them. The towns of Brighton and Fairport have community rowing clubs. Mercy and McQuaid have school rowing clubs.

If all of the above is true, congratulations, you are eligible to register for Pittsford Crew. Please continue with Step 2, below.

Rowers transferring from another program: Please contact the registrar for eligibility requirements.

Students in 8th grade who participated in Learn to Row or Modified Sculling should contact Novice Head Coach Barb Kindig (barbkin1@gmail.com) to express interest. Eligibility is determined by readiness to row, passing the swim test (if not already completed), and an open slot on the novice team.

Students in grades 9-12 who have no prior experience: Occassionally, we offer limited spots to students in grades 9 through 12 who have no prior experience but wish to join Pittsford Crew in the spring. These students must contact Novice Head Coach Barb Kindig (bkindig@pittsfordcrew.org) to express interest.

Students in grades 6-8 who are interested in joining Pittsford Crew, please consider our Modified Sculling program.

Step 2: Commitment Check & Team Handbook

Crew requires commitment from both the athlete and parent/guardian. Serious consideration should be given to whether the necessary time and financial commitments can be made before registering.

Athlete Commitment

• To be eligible to compete in regattas, athletes must attend practices and remain at practice until dismissed by their coach. Please refer to the practice schedule page to ensure your athlete will be able to attend all practices.
• Rowers are dependent on the attendance of their teammates. When team members are missing, late for practice or leave early, the team’s ability to perform, and possibly the health and safety of the other athletes, may be compromised.
  
• Four regattas are scheduled on weekends throughout the season and require at least a full day commitment at the regatta site. Rowing is not like other sports. If a rower does not show up at a regatta, it not only affects the lineup of their boat, but has a corresponding impact on the other boats and the entire team.
• It is expected that team members will participate in team fundraising projects that are planned as group activities.
• Participating in multiple, time-intensive activities such as drama, dance and music programs, scouts and even driver's education may not be possible while rowing. Please discuss these activities with your head coach.
• Carefully consider all commitments at home, school and other areas of your athlete’s life before (s)he joins Pittsford Crew. The physical demands of rowing and potential for injury preclude concurrent participation in any other sport.

Parent/Guardian Commitment

• Parents must provide or arrange transportation to and from practice and nearby regattas for their athlete(s). Because we are a club sport, the Pittsford Central School district does not provide any transportation. Pittsford Crew does provide a team bus to out of town, overnight regattas. The Regatta Schedule specifies for which regattas a team bus is provided. 
• Parents are required to assist during the season with fundraising, regattas and other committees. To run a safe, fun, and competitive program, we depend on the support of all of our families!

Parent and Athlete Must-Read the Team Handbook

• The current Pittsford Crew Code of Conduct and Attendance Policy can be found in the Team Handbook.

If you and your athlete can make the above commitments, we would love to have you as part of our program. Please continue to the next step!

Step 3: Determine Athlete Level (Novice OR Varsity)

​There are two levels of crew: novice and varsity. Unlike other high school sports, crew does not have a junior varsity level. All new athletes must compete at the novice level for at least one season, but not more than two. Pittsford Crew runs two seasons per accademic year: one in the fall and one in the spring. Athletes may participate in either or both seasons. After one calendar year from their first novice season, most novice athletes will move up to varsity, However, this is at the discretion of the coaching staff.

Register at the varsity level if you can answer "yes" to at least one of the following statements:

• Has the athlete rowed two seasons at the novice level or coxed two seasons at the novice level?
• Has it been at least one year since the start of the athlete's first novice season?
• Is the athlete transferring from another team and has obtained permission from the registrar to register for varsity (see Step 1)?

Register at the novice level if you answered "no" to all of the above.

Special eligibility requirements exist for athletes who wish to row as lightweights. Please review our  Lightweight Guidelines before you register.

Step 4: Review Payment Options

Payment Options (refund policy):

• Pay through Regatta Central at the time of registration using a credit card or PayPal. Pittsford Crew uses Regatta Central to manage registrations and team rosters. If you are not already a member of the Regatta Central website, you will be asked to create an account prior to registering for Pittsford Crew.
  • ​Registering more than one athlete? Regatta Central does not apply the 20% discount for multiple athlete registrations. You may pay by check (see below) or pay the full, non-discounted cost by credit card on Regatta Central, and then contact our Treasurer for the refunded discount.
• Google Wallet
• Check
  • Checks may be presented in person ​at the Registration Night event (see the Parent Meetings and Deadlines). If mailing a check, please be sure to mail it no later than 5 business days before the due date.

Pittsford Crew
Attn: Registrar
P.O. Box 331
Pittsford, NY 14534

• If you require tuition payment plan arrangements, please contact our Treasurer no later than one day prior to the registration deadline.

Step 5: Register For Pittsford Crew (Due by: )

Please review the practice schedule to ensure your althlete will be able to attend all practices.

​Registration

If your athlete is not participating in another sport or activity during the winter and can start practice on Early Start, then you MUST choose one of the following registration options:

Early Start start:

Novice

Boys Coxswains
Boys Rowers
Girls Coxswains
Girls Rowers

Varsity

Boys Coxswains
Boys Rowers
Girls Coxswains
Girls Rowers

Please contact our registrar at registrar@pittsfordcrew.org if you wish to register late.

If your athlete is participating in another sport or activity during the winter and cannot start practice until Late Start, then choose one of the following registration options. The late start option is only available to those athletes who can not start on Early Start due to participation in another sport or activity. If the athlete is not participating in another sport or activity, then you MUST choose one of the registrtion options above.

Late Start start:

Novice

Boys Coxswains
Boys Rowers
Girls Coxswains
Girls Rowers

Varsity

Boys Coxswains
Boys Rowers
Girls Coxswains
Girls Rowers

Please contact our registrar at registrar@pittsfordcrew.org if you wish to register late.

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Step 6: USRowing Membership & Waiver (Due by: )

You must complete this step every season and for each rower you are registering.

For athletes who are not yet USRowing members (new rowers): You will need to join USRowing. When you join USRowing, you will be charged $9.75. This fee covers USRowing's administrative costs. After joining, you will then need to submit a USRowing waiver. Follow the directions below.

• Join USRowing (click here)
  • Enter the athlete's name, birthday and gender (not yours if you are the parent/guardian). You must spell the athlete's first and last name in USRowing identically to the first and last name that you used when you registered the athlete in RegattaCentral. You must also ensure that the athlete's birthday is entered identically in both USRowing and RegattaCentral.
  • You may want to use your own e-mail address as that is the address USRowing will use if you need to reset or recover your password later.

  • After you enter the team name you will be asked for a club code. Our club code is E9NNK

  • Click the green search button, bottom right.
  • Select Basic Membership on the Membership Levels page.
  • Follow the instructions on the web page to complete the membership process.
• Read and submit the USRowing waiver (click here)

For athletes who are already USRowing members:

You will need to log into USRowing and verify that your athlete's membership will not expire prior to the end of the rowing season. You will also need to verify that your waiver is current.

• Log into USRowing (click here)
  • To log in, you will need the athlete's member number and password that you set up last year/season.
  • If you do not recall the member number, click the Forgot My Member Number link on the bottom right and follow the instructions.
• Review your membership expiration date. If your membership has expired, you must select Renew to renew your membership. If your membership will expire before then end of the rowing season, you must renew prior to the end of the season. When you renew your membership, you will be charged $9.75. This fee covers USRowing's administrative costs.
• Verify that the waiver status is "current."
  • The waiver status can be found on the membership profile screen, under the athlete's name and membership number.
  • If the waiver is not current, you must sign a new waiver. On the left of the web page, click on the green waiver check mark.
  • The name on the waiver must be the athlete's name, and the same name used on RegattaCentral.

Repeat the above for each athlete you are registering.

Step 7: Complete Forms (Due by: )

• Upload a copy of the Health Appraisal Form from your pediatrician dated within the last 12 months. You likely received one from your pediatrician after your athlete's last physical. This must be submitted even if you rowed with us in the fall. Use the upload link here.

Step 8: Volunteer (Due by: )​​

For the spring season, parents are required to sign up for 3 (three) volunteer credits per registered athlete. If you are new to Pittsford Crew, please read about volunteering here and then click the link below to sign up.

Athletes will not be allowed to practice until their family has met their volunteering requirement.

For those who have been with us before, please go to iVolunteer and sign up for a slot. Volunteer registration will open at noon on Open Date.

Step 9: Swim Test (Due by: )

If the athlete(s) you are registering participated in our summer Learn to Row program, summer Learn to Scull program, fall scholastic program, or fall modified program, you may skip this step.

All program participants must pass a one-time Pittsford Crew swim test. The test consists of 10 laps (non-stop) immediately followed by treading water for 10 minutes. Athletes transfering from other clubs must have their coach communicate in writing that the athlete has successfully completed their club’s swim test.

Athletes will not be permitted to practice until the swim test is complete.

1. Print the swim test form and fill out the top portion.
2. Bring the printed form with you to the Jewish Community Center (JCC) or any YMCA and have a certified lifeguard administer the test. Please note that these organizations may charge a small fee. While the JCC does not require an appointment, the YMCA may require one depending on the location. Be sure to call prior to arrival.
3. Have the Lifeguard/Water Safety Instructor sign the form after the swim test.
4. Mail the completed form to​​ the Registrar. Forms must be received by the due date above. Alternatively, the forms may be presented in person at the Registration Night event (see the Parent Meetings and Deadlines) or handed to the coach before the first practice.

​Pittsford Crew
Attn: Registrar
P.O. Box 331
Pittsford, NY 14534​

Step 10: Order Uniforms (Due by: )

This step must be completed by all varsity and novice athletes by the due date above. We are on very tight deadlines and cannot accept orders after this date.

The following are required for the spring season. Prior season uniforms may be reused if they are still in good condition and fit properly.

For each novice and varsity athlete (girls and boys)

• Order one unisuit per athlete. Click here and follow the instructions on the Unisuit order form.
• Optionally order a Tech Shirt. Although not required, due to the chilly weather, we highly recommend purchasing a Tech Shirt for the spring season. Click here and follow the instructions on the Tech Shirt order form.
• Varsity only may optionally order a Varsity Jacket. Click here and follow the instructions on the Varsity Jacket order form.

Step 11: Other Clothing (Due by: )

For practice, all athletes are required to wear shorts/spandex with a minimum 6-inch inseam.

The following are optional purchases for all athletes:

• Visit the  Pittsford Crew Store for high visibility clothing, grey wear, stickers, magnets, socks, gently used items, and other great merchandise.

Step 12: Parent Meetings

Please review the Parent Meetings and Deadlines schedule.

Step 13: Fundraising

Read the spring fundraising information and take note of any due dates.

Step 14: Create Parent Nametags

We strongly encourage parents and guardians to create a Pittsford Crew nametag to wear while attending regattas or other Pittsford Crew events. They will help you to not only identify other Pittsford Crew parents, but also will help you to get to know them better!

1. Download our lanyard nametag form.​
2. Open the file if it is not already open. The file is a pdf form that contains fields where you can enter your information.
3. Replace Name with your name
4. Replace Title with "Parent".
5. Replace Rower with your athlete's name
6. Replace Team with your athlete's team initials:
   -NB for Novice Boys
   -NBC for Novice Boys Coxswain
   -NG for Novice Girls
   -NGC for Novice Girls Coxswain
   -VB for Varsity Boys
   -VBC for Varsity Boys Coxswain
   -VG for Varsity Girls
   -VGC for Varsity Girls Coxswain
   
7. Save and print the file
8. Trim the print to the size of the nametag
9. Order a lanyard from our Pittsford Crewe Store Store
10. Fold your nametag in half so that it will fit in the lanyard's plastic pouch
11. Wear your nametag proudly at all PCrew related activities!
12. Meet other PCrew parents and make new friends!

Step 15: Sign up for Parent to Parent

We have set up a Pittsford Crew discussion group on GroupMe. GroupMe is a free group messaging system that works on any device. You can use it to chat directly with other parents or ask questions of the entire group without having to share your cellphone number with anyone.

Click here for more information and instructions.