Spring Sports: East and Down County

[Anonymous]

If you are the parent of a middle or high school student who would like to try a new spring sport or who gets cut from a high school spring team at tryouts, don't forget that rowing is an option. Blair Crew is a club team serving students in eastern and down county, and they are expanding to include a middle school learn to row program. The spring season starts Monday, 2/26 and a bus transports rowers from Blair High School to the Anacostia river and back on M/W/F in season. Check out their website at https://blaircrew.org/ or email [e-mail] for more information.

Rowing is the ultimate team sport and a unique way to stand out on college applications because relatively few students are involved in it. It's also a sport that students don't have to have prior experience at to join and succeed on the team.

[Anonymous]

Is this open only to middle school students who are zoned to Blair? Or could any middle school student in the DCC sign up?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are the parent of a middle or high school student who would like to try a new spring sport or who gets cut from a high school spring team at tryouts, don't forget that rowing is an option. Blair Crew is a club team serving students in eastern and down county, and they are expanding to include a middle school learn to row program. The spring season starts Monday, 2/26 and a bus transports rowers from Blair High School to the Anacostia river and back on M/W/F in season. Check out their website at https://blaircrew.org/ or email [e-mail] for more information.

Rowing is the ultimate team sport and a unique way to stand out on college applications because relatively few students are involved in it. It's also a sport that students don't have to have prior experience at to join and succeed on the team.

Who is the club sponsor at Blair HS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is this open only to middle school students who are zoned to Blair? Or could any middle school student in the DCC sign up?

Any middle school student can sign up. This is a club organization run by a board of volunteer parents, and they draw from all schools (public and private) in the eastern and down county portions of Montgomery County. They just happen to provide transportation to and from Blair HS because, traditionally, most of the team members attended that high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are the parent of a middle or high school student who would like to try a new spring sport or who gets cut from a high school spring team at tryouts, don't forget that rowing is an option. Blair Crew is a club team serving students in eastern and down county, and they are expanding to include a middle school learn to row program. The spring season starts Monday, 2/26 and a bus transports rowers from Blair High School to the Anacostia river and back on M/W/F in season. Check out their website at https://blaircrew.org/ or email [e-mail] for more information.

Rowing is the ultimate team sport and a unique way to stand out on college applications because relatively few students are involved in it. It's also a sport that students don't have to have prior experience at to join and succeed on the team.

Who is the club sponsor at Blair HS?

There is not a club sponsor at Blair HS because club sports, including crew and ice hockey, are not directly affiliated with MCPS an cannot have club sponsors who are staff members. Blair Crew is run by a volunteer parent board of directors. Any questions should be directed to [e-mail]. Traditionally, a lot of team members have attended Blair HS and the founder was affiliated with the high school (which is why transportation is provided to and from the river from the school), but the team draws from all schools (public and private middle schools) in the east and down county area. All are welcome and the team does not cut.

[Anonymous]

There have been problems with Blair's Crew in the past, just an FYI, for full disclosure:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1151541.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There have been problems with Blair's Crew in the past, just an FYI, for full disclosure:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1151541.page

The problems that are being referred to here involved false allegations made against the team early in last fall (2023). During the time those allegations were being investigated, a letter was sent to the Blair HS community stating that the team could not use MCPS facilities (basically to pick up and drop off in the school parking lot), which is standard procedure. When the investigation was concluded and the allegations were found to be unfounded, the team was welcomed back in late September. The person who made those allegations eventually admitted to making them up. The team continued with their fall season during the investigation, and the only tangible disruption involved the bus picking up and dropping off team members at a location near the high school but not at the high school. There is a letter located on the team's website referencing the matter and board members are happy to answer any and all questions at [e-mail]. The Blair High School newspaper, Silver Chips, also did an article on the team after they were cleared of the allegations.

[Anonymous]

I have a daughter who is interested in crew. Does anyone know if there is a height requirement? I don't know much about the sport, but I've heard that rowers are usually very tall, and my daughter is kind of average height.

[Anonymous]

No height requirement.

[Anonymous]

Is the bus picking up at Blair now or are they still banned?

[Anonymous]

The bus is picking up and dropping off at Blair HS. The suspension from picking up and dropping off at Blair HS was only in place for a few weeks last while allegations were investigated. When the allegations were found to be false, the team was welcomed back. A reminder that this is a club team, and the only direct connection to Blair HS is the pick up and drop off for water practices. All land practices are held at the nearby YMCA.

[Anonymous]

Do they walk to the Y?

[Anonymous]

Yes they walk to the Y it is often as a group together if they choose too. Yesterday was the first day and the kids were thrilled to be with the brand new Coaching team and back in the boat house together!

If your daughter or there is anyone else who is interested feel free to have them sign up risk free for two weeks! The only risk is they will love it and you will be a crew parent!

here is the registration link: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/416625
and here is the Blair Crew website if you would like to learn more: https://blaircrew.org/

[Anonymous]

Love this! I grew up on the west coast and rowed in high school. It's such a great sport, both in terms of building strength and coordination and learning to be a real team player. It's nice to hear that it's available for kids in the Silver Spring area.

[Anonymous]

My middle schooler tried out Blair Crew last week and is going to sign up for the season. I attended a parent meeting yesterday at Bladensburg Waterfront Park, and I get a really good feeling about the rowers, the coaches, and the families involved. My child felt very much welcomed by the team at practice last week and has learned a lot already.

Blair Crew is having a learn to row event next Saturday at the same location, and I encourage anyone interested to contact [e-mail] if you have a child who is interested in trying out the team at that event or in the next week or two. The bus leaves Blair High School for the river on M/W/F at 3:30. You do need to contact the team to obtain and sign a waiver before attending practice though.

blaircrew.org
[e-mail]