Atomic Overview

Atomic Rowing is a nationally recognized youth rowing program.
It is a fun and competitive rowing program that encourages and emphasizes good sportsmanship and individual responsibility; traits that will serve young people well for their lifetimes. Team members are encouraged to achieve personal as well as team goals.
Atomic Rowing competes both at regattas in the Southeast and at rowing venues across the eastern United States.

The Atomic Rowing program is open to all 8th graders and above.  Athletes in the 7th grade are accepted at the discretion of the coaching staff.  Atomic Rowing is a co-ed program comprised of varsity and novice athletes. No experience is needed to begin rowing. Young men and women compete separately in novice and varsity squads. All technical and conditioning training is introduced in the first year.

Novice:

The Novice program (first-year rowers) will teach you all that you need to know about rowing. Novice rowers attend many of the same races as varsity rowers and race other novice teams. The “try out period” occurs in August each year. It is a two-week period designed to teach the basics and to let rowers try the sport before joining the team. Please register and join us!

Varsity:

After one year of rowing experience, athletes move up to the varsity squad.

Seasonal Practice Schedules

Atomic Rowing offers a fall season, a winter training season, and a spring season. Much like cross country and track, the types of races change with each season. The fall season offers a time trial format with long winding races down rivers and lakes at a slower cadence, while the spring season offers shorter sprint racing in numbered lanes. During winter, the rowers train on the indoor rowing machines, or “ergs.”

2012 Fall Season

Online registration open August 1 through August 31

Walk-on sign-up/Info Day Saturday, August 18th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Boathouse

• Novice Practice Mon – Th. 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM – begins on Aug 20th
• Varsity Practice Mon – Fri. 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM – begins on August 13th

2013 Spring Season

Online registration open now through March 1

• Novice Practice Mon – Th. 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM – begins February 11th
• Varsity Practice Mon – Fri. 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM – begins February 4th

2012-2013 WINTER SEASON

Nov 12, 2012 – Mar 1, 2013

Details TBA

• Novice Practice Mon – Th. 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
• Varsity Practice Mon – Fri. 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Fee Information

Fall Season

• Novice $TBD  (does not require ORRA membership)
• Varsity $TBD  (requires ORRA membership)

Spring Season

• Novice $160.00 (does not require ORRA membership)
• Varsity $230.00 (requires ORRA membership)

WINTER SEASON

• Novice $TBD (does not require ORRA membership)
• Varsity $TBD (requires ORRA membership)

Register

Fee Information Program fees do not include regatta entry fees, uniforms, “Scheduled Regatta” travel and some food expenses. The ORRA Treasurer will invoice participants for the program fees prior to beginning of each season or session.

Students will not be allowed on the water until required paperwork, waivers and fees are paid. Youth Novice rowers may delay fee payment for two weeks.

Atomic rowing collects all fees at the beginning of each season. This cost varies each season based on travel schedule.

Atomic Rowing has three types of travel events “Scheduled”, “Select” and “Qualified”. Participants who choose not to attend a regatta or choose not to travel on the club-provided itinerary must send an e-mail to the Head Coach at least 3 weeks in advance. Verbal or other notification is not acceptable. The Head Coach may elect to allow an exception unless expenses have already been incurred by the club.

Scheduled events: All Atomic athletes are assumed to be attending all these regattas and will be charged at the beginning of each season. Scheduled event travel costs are non-refundable even if the athlete elects not to travel to the event. These events include but are not limited to Chattanooga Head Race, John Hunter Regatta, Secret City Head Race and the Dogwood Regatta.

Select events: Athletes that are chosen for Select events will be assessed additional travel charges. These events include but are not limited to San Diego Crew Classic, Southeast Youth Championship.

Qualified events: Athletes that qualify for “QUALIFIED” regattas have earned will be assessed additional travel charges. These events include but are not limited to USRowing Youth National Championship and the Head of the Charles. Payment Options The best method for payment is through Regatta Central. Using Regatta Central, you may pay by check or credit card. Check payments When registering on Regatta Central, choose “print invoice” and send this invoice in with your check. Make checks payable to ORRA for the fee dues. To assist with the record-keeping please write your name and the purpose in the memo space. Please put check payments into locked the Treasurer’s Box on the wall outside of the office. Returned checks Checks that are returned to ORRA for insufficient funds or other reasons will be charged a $25.00 fee. Installments Installment payments (50% at registration, and the balance in two payments over the next two months) may only be made if ORRA has a signed Payment Agreement Form. Payment Agreement forms may be obtained by e-mailing the ORRA Treasurer.  Referral Credit Varsity and Junior Varsity athletes can earn a $50.00 credit for referring an athlete that registers and pays to be part of Atomic Rowing. You can earn credit for up to three athletes (maximum of $150.00 in credits). New Novice rowers who attended Summer Novice Camp are not eligible for the referral credit program. Refunds Participants that withdraw from a program two weeks prior to the start date can receive a full refund.

Withdrawal due to injury or illness may be eligible for credit, if approved by the Atomic Head Coach and the ORRA board of directors. Any rule violation will result in immediate dismissal without refund. Crediting athletes for future seasons due to unforeseen circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Scholarships The Club has a limited number of need-based scholarships which are funded by both the Atomic Boosters and the Board. Scholarship applications must be received by the ORRA Treasure prior to the first two weeks of the program start date.

Summer Camps

SUMMER DAY CAMP INFORMATION

Sweep rowing

• Session 1- TBD
• Session 2- TBD

Youth Sculling Camp
Experienced rowers only

• Session 1- TBD
• Session 2- TBD

Varsity Pre-Season

• TBD

AGES: 12-18 year old boys and girls (NO experience needed) DATES: TBD COST: $200 per 8-day session

LOCATION:

ORRA Boathouse
697 Melton Lake Dr.
Oak Ridge, 37830

MORE INFO:

• If your son or daughter is 12-18 years old and would like to try rowing, we offer two 8-day summer rowing camps for East Tennessee youth. 2012 dates are to be determined.
• This beginner camp is an introduction to rowing that will focus on having fun while learning basic rowing skills and essentials of training, with video feedback/instruction to supplement on-the-water coaching.
• NO PRIOR ROWING EXPERIENCE IS NEEDED, however, all camp participants MUST be able to swim. Space is limited.
• Participation in the Summer Camp is encouraged, but not mandatory for those who are thinking about joining the Atomic rowing team in the future.
• Just wear comfortable shorts (boys–try to avoid super long basketball style shorts that might get caught in the equipment), t-shirt or tank-top, sneakers, and a water bottle. If you have long hair, you will want to pull it back into a ponytail or barrette.
• Be sure to wear sunscreen! Some folks also like to row in a hat or sunglasses on bright days (optional).

HOW DO I SIGN UP?

You MUST register online for the Atomic Summer Camp.
Here’s how! :

1. Look for the “Registration” section on this webpage.
2. Under “Summer Programs”, Click on either the “Summer Novice Day Camp” Session 1 or Session 2 (whichever session you would like to sign up for).
3. Under “New Users”, enter the necessary information and click ‘next’.
4. By “Participant”, click “New Person” and enter your child’s name.
5. By “Club/Affiliation”, Click “New Affiliation”, then type in “Atomic Rowing” in the “Team or Club” box. The Atomic Rowing Logo should pop up–click it! “Atomic Rowing”, then click Next part of this page.
6. Click “Proceed to check out. On the next page, enter your address, rowers’ info; then click ‘next’.
7. You may pay by Credit Card online; or select Check Payment (Make checks payable to ‘ORRA’ and write [your child's name] and SUMMER CAMP in the note/memo section) and drop it off the first day of camp or mail to the boathouse; or pay by Paypal. After payment you have completed the online portion of registration!
8. YOU’RE ALMOST DONE! We just need you to print off a Consent Form at this website: http://www.orra.org/candr.pdf and bring it with you the first day of camp.

College Tips

College Recruiting Tips

The college recruitment process can be confusing to a rower and their parents. There are many things that need to be done to maximize the chance of getting recruited. College coaches are interested in motivated athletes that have desirable physiques, erg scores, academic transcripts, rowing experience and skills. There can be a place for all Atomic athletes to continue to row at the collegiate level and beyond.

There are Division 1, Division 2, Division 3, and Club rowing programs. Many are in their building stages. Others have been around for 100 years. Note: Due to Title IX many women’s college club teams became NCAA sports with a scholarship budget. Most men’s programs are club sports, and do not offer scholarships, but some do!

Remember:

Step 1: Choose a school for its academics. Step 2: Commit to an athletic program. Here is a timeline that will help you through the college recruitment process. You can also attend a USRowing recruiting seminar or fair for more information.

Fall of Junior Year

• Complete the NCAA requirements.
• When registering for the SAT or ACT, select the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse as one of the institutions to which the test scores should be sent (code 9999 in 2003).
• Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.
• After September 1st of a rower’s junior year coaches can begin sending letters, information, and emails, however, they cannot talk to rowers and families.

Winter of Junior Year

• Work hard during winter training.
• Attend indoor rowing championships such as the TN Indoor Rowing Championships and Crash B’s in Boston.
• Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.
• Get noticed: email coaches, send letter of interest, fill out online recruiting forms, request materials, show enthusiasm for participation in the program. Give your name, address, phone number, and email address.

Spring of Junior Year

• Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.
• Sign-up for summer rowing camps (US Rowing Development Camp and US Rowing National Selection Camp (invite only).
• Put together a rowing resume and send to coaches. Include contact information, rowing qualifications, experience, scores, height, weight, academic qualifications, other activities, internships, etc.
• Make a rowing video and send to coaches – coaches like to see technique (can be done during a practice). Some schools want video of an erg test. See your coach to set this up.

Summer after Junior Year

• Attend rowing camps (private, collegiate, US Rowing Invitational, Select).
• Prepare college entrance applications.
• Beginning July 1st after completing the junior year in school, coaches may make one telephone call per week, rower can call coach at any time.
• Post your scores at www.usrowing.org, irow.com, concept2.com.

Fall of Senior Year

• Make a short list of colleges you want to seriously consider.
• Schedule and attend official visits. Beginning September 1st of rower’s senior year, the rower may make an official visit (1 per college – 5 colleges total) and college pays expenses of the visit. Official visits may not last more than 24 hours on campus, transportation not usually covered, parents’ expenses not covered. SAT or ACT scores must be on file unless already filed with NCAA clearinghouse, schedule time to see a team practice.
• No more than three visits during the recruiting process are allowed with the coach. Rower can make unofficial school visits to campus at any time, coach can meet with rower if it is after July 1st.
• Receive scholarship offers.
• Negotiate scholarships if possible (don’t be too pushy).
• Decide which college/university you will attend.
• Make a verbal commitment to school, sign letter of intent (binding contract).

Winter of Senior Year

• Fill out and send in financial aid applications using parents’ tax forms.
• Work hard during winter training.

Spring of Senior Year

• Continue to work hard. Coaches will be in touch with your school and your coach making sure you stay on track. Letters of Recommendation
• See you guidance counselor for an appropriate timeline for college recommendations.
• Please ask your coach far in advance if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.