Girls/Boys Novices - Winter/Spring 2023
The BLS Crew Novice program provides new rowers and coxswains the opportunity to learn to row and to get a sense of the fun, teamwork, community, and competition that comes with being a BLS Crew rower or coxswain. All grade levels are welcome, and no rowing or other athletic experience is required to join the team; all new rowers and coxswains learn the sport together.
Practice Schedule and Logistics (Same for Girls and Boys Novice Squads)
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Indoor winter training starts Tuesday, January 17, with practices from 3:00-4:30 pm (meet in the “erg loft” area at BLS, near the Athletic Director’s office - in the corridors outside of the Upper Gym).
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When weather conditions permit (typically in early April for Novices), practice will move outdoors to the BLS Boathouse, and will run from 3:15-5:15 pm.
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Novice practices take place 5 days/week, Monday-Friday; novices are expected to attend at least 4 days/week.
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Novices are strongly encouraged to start on January 17th or as soon as possible after that, unless they are participating in a different winter sport; however, new novice registrations may be accepted on a space-available basis until February break (email registrar@blscrew.org for late registration). All forms must be submitted by Friday January 13th to start practice on January 17th; Novice rowers who register later must submit all forms at least two days prior to starting practice.
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Transportation logistics: Once practices move to the BLS Boathouse, Novices typically travel to practice together on the MBTA #57 BLS supplemental bus, which leaves from outside BLS after school. BLS Crew provides a carpool map to enable families to arrange carpools for the trip home after practice.
How to Register
Please note that the BLS Crew registration forms and process are separate from the regular BLS Athletics registration; rowers must register using the Crew registration form and not the BLS Athletics form.
Step One: Complete Registration Form
Novice athletes’ parent or guardian should register using the BLS Crew Registration Form. Please do not upload forms (step two) until you have completed this step.
Step Two: Submit Forms
Forms must be submitted once per academic year. Fall rowers do not need to submit forms again in the Spring. No rower will be permitted to attend practice unless all required forms have been submitted.
The following Forms must be submitted via the BLS Crew Forms Submission Portal*:
1. Concussion Training Certificate, obtained by completing the NFHS Concussion Training (download the certificate as a pdf)
2. Signed Rower Safety Pledge: All athletes and parents must read the information regarding opiate and substance abuse provided in this file labeled Opiate Substance Information and will be required to acknowledge on the Rower Safety Pledge that they have read this information.
* Please read the instructions on the Portal carefully to ensure your Forms are properly named and formatted.
Step Three: Obtain Sports Clearance
ALL rowers must obtain a Sports Clearance from the BLS Nurses’ office every season. Prior seasons' Sports Clearances are not valid for subsequent seasons.
To obtain a Sports Clearance, a physician's school/camp form completed within the past 13 months must be on file with the BLS Nurses. If a student has had COVID since their last Sports Clearance, they will need to also provide a "Covid Clearance" from a physician. The BLS Nurse will notify the Crew Registrar directly once the Sports Clearance has issued.
The Nurses will issue Clearances during W-blocks, studies, student leadership periods, physical education class, or after lunch, but NOT before or after school.
Step Four: Pass Swim Test
New rowers must pass a swim test and submit a Swim Test Form form signed by a certified lifeguard before the team begins practicing on the water. Rowers who have not submitted Swim Test Forms will be required to wear a life preserver while on the water. Once a rower has submitted a swim test form, it is valid for all future seasons.
Swim Test Forms may be uploaded to the Forms Submission Portal at the time the other Forms are submitted.
Step Five: Fees and Financial Aid
Rower Fees: $500.00
Payment is due Friday, March 3rd, 2023, for New Novices, unless a financial aid or payment plan arrangement has been made with the Registrar.
See Spring Payment web page for credit card, PayPal, or check payment information.
Friends of BLS Crew is committed to ensuring that crew is affordable for all students and families in the BLS community. If you would like to request financial assistance for the crew program, please send an email to registrar@blscrew.org.
Questions? Answers to most questions can be found on the BLS Crew New Rowers FAQ. If you don’t find the answer to your question there, please contact the BLS Crew Registrar at registrar@blscrew.org