Good Afternoon, Parents and Athletes,
First of all, congratulations on qualifying for the USRowing Youth National Championships 2018. This Regatta is the most prestigious event we enter every year, and it is only open by invitation to qualified crews from across the country. This year, we are sending more boats than we have ever done, which is exciting, but which also poses some challenging logistics. Here is the roster of athletes going. Please read this entire email; it contains all the information about this event. If you have any questions, please direct them to our Parent Coordinators: Girls: Jeb Barkenbush at jebarken@gmail.com; Boys: Jennifer Closser at closserj@gmail.com.
Cost:
The cost for Youth Nationals is $1,400, and the link is HERE. This fee covers the cost of transportation to and from the airport, airfare, hotels, transportation in California, meals, boat transportation, lake rental for practice, and fees for entering the competition.
Location and Timing:
Lake Natoma, Gold River, CA
Racing is scheduled for June 8-10
http://www.usrowing.org/event/2018-youth-national-championships/
Travel Itinerary:
Depart Monday June 4
Transportation to Newark: chartered bus (seats 56); departs the boathouse 3:45pm
United Airline Flight 2411 7:05pm out of EWR (Newark-Liberty); arriving 10:33pm in (SMF) Sacramento, CA.
Return Sunday/Monday June 10/11
UA 342 11:30pm out of SMF; arriving 7:30am EWR
Transportation to Boathouse: chartered bus; ETA 9:00am
Hotel:
Fairfield Inn and Suites Sacramento Airport Natoma
2730 El Centro Rd
Sacramento, CA 95833
Meals:
Breakfast will be at the hotel each morning.
Lunch and dinner will be determined by boat, although there will be an emphasis on dinner as a team
Please have your athlete pack dinner/snacks for the ride to the airport on June 4, and money to purchase any addition food at the airport. Mercer will not be providing dinner June 4.
Miscellaneous:
Please have your athlete bring some extra money with them. There will be opportunities to purchase extra food, t-shirts, etc… We do plan to take them to local grocery stores so we can have appropriate snacks on hand, but sometimes athletes wish to supplement.
The athletes are in California to compete on behalf of Mercer. Unfortunately, this means that they will not be able to meet up with parents for lunch or dinner – they will need to remain with their boat and teammates, and to follow the coaches’ plans for preparation and racing. However, if you are planning to come to Nationals to watch, feel free to reach out to Jeb or Jen – if there are opportunities for you to see your athlete outside of the competition, or to help out, they will let you know.
Finally, thank you in advance to our chaperones: Susan Kalfaian, Chip Kalfaian, Els Vandecandelaere, Heidi Appelgate, Ranjit Bawa, Jeb Barkenbush, and Jen Closser.
Congratulations again, and GO MERCER
Coach Justin
Coach Matt