Parents of Athletes going to Boston,

Please be sure to pack for the weather – bring layers!  It will be cold in Boston, and we will be racing earlier in the day.

The 5 early vans will be departing promptly at 1pm.  Please arrive at the Boathouse by 11AMso we can load the trailer, and be ready to go.

The late van will be leaving promptly at 3:30.  Dave Gallagher is driving.  Please arrive at the Boathouse by 3:15pm so they can be ready to go.

Jim Armetta has kindly provided lunch for the ride up to Boston for all athletes, and CRI is providing dinner for the athletes in the EARLY vans.  The athletes in the later van can bring their own dinner, or they can stop briefly on the ride up to Boston.

Parents who are going up:  the best viewing will be from Magazine Beach along the Charles River.

We are looking forward to this weekend!

GO MERCER!

Hello!

The Steve Neczypor Regatta will be held this weekend on the Cooper River, near the Camden County Boathouse. The official website is HERE. We finally received our schedule for the regatta, the boats and times are listed below. Because most of our Varsity team is at a race in Boston this weekend we are sharing a trailer with another team (Kearny) to get to the race. This creates a few challenges but we have assigned each boat either loading the trailer (in the morning at our boathouse) or unloading the trailer after the races.

If your athlete is in the G3, G2, or the Novice boys boat they are expected to be at the boathouse Saturday morning to load the trailer (official time TBA tomorrow). From there we will head down to the regatta site and unload with the whole team. After the races end (hopefully after the 8+ final at 2) we will have the No Name and the Wolf rowers head to the boathouse to unload Kearny’s trailer. They will be free to leave once this is done!

ALL Novice athletes are expected to be at the trailer in Camden no later than 9 AM. We will let the athletes know where we have parked so they can find us once they arrive. After reloading the trailer after racing G3, G2, and the novice boys will be free to go. Parents can reach out to Jeb Barkenbush (jebarken@gmail.com) who will be manning the ever important parents tent! He will post the tent location on the parent Facebook page when he sets up in the morning.

Please reach out to your respective coach if you have any issues or questions! Thank you for your patience, the weather has made the timing of the regatta tricky but it was sorted out. Please bring extra layers and a plastic bag to keep your gear on land dry while you race (in case of rain/snow).

VW8+ Heat- 10:36 AM, Lane 3 (Final 2:00 PM)
Cox- Maura, Wolf
8- Kristen
7- Olivia E.D.
6- Emma
5- Elyse
4- Hannah
3- Elena
2- Amelia
1- Abby

W1N8+ Flight- 11:12 AM, Lane 4
Cox- Arya, No Name
8- Logan
7- Riddhi
6- Danielle
5- Camille
4- Lily
3- Ralya
2- Cara
1- Ava

W3N8+ Flight- 11:18 AM, Lane 6
Cox- Emma D, G2
8- Emily
7- Sanna
6- Elizabeth K
5- Arianna
4- Katherine G.O.
3- Julianna
2- Roohika
1- Anna

W2N8+ Flight- 11:24 AM, Lane 2
Cox- Reyna, G3
8- Eva
7- Catherine H
6- Emma P
5- Lydia S
4- Anika
3- Charvee
2- Tyler
1- Sara

MN8+ Flight- 11:36 AM, Lane 5
Cox- Dominic, SD Squad
8- Julian
7- Andrew G
6- Joe D
5- Colin
4- Will H
3- Ignacio
2- Jamil
1- Soren

WN4+ Flight- 1:06 PM, Lane 2
Cox- Arya, Korzo
4- Logan
3- Riddhi
2- Danielle
1- Camille

Thank you for reading and GO MERCER!!!

Hello parents,

Attached you will find the race schedule and the lineups for the races in Boston this Saturday

Go MERCER!!!

Coach Justin
Coach Matt

CRI/Greenwich Information

Hello,

Due to weather we have practice today for the Varsity teams, the Novice boys competing this weekend (1N8), and the Novice girls.

The teams NOT practicing are the 8th graders and Novice boys who are not racing this weekend.

Thank you and stay dry!

Good afternoon, Mercer Varsity Parents,

This Friday, three boats from each of the varsity teams will be traveling to CRI to scrimmage against CRI and Greenwich on the Charles River.  As CRI is hosting our athletes and providing dinner, there are a few changes to the departure schedule.

PLEASE NOTE:  The plan is to leave Casperson Boathouse at 1 pm.  We understand that several athletes are in school this week.  Five of the six vans will be leaving at 1 pm. One van will be leaving at 3:30 to accommodate those kids who cannot get to the boathouse for the earlier departure.  PLEASE LET JEN CLOSSER KNOW ASAP IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE TRAVELING AT THE LATER TIME.  You can email Jen at closserj@gmail.com or text at (202) 360-8683.  There are only 15 spots in the late van, so, please, if your child can travel with the earlier group, that would be greatly appreciated.  

FRIDAY, APRIL 6:  

Departure:  Athletes should arrive at the boathouse at the regular practice time of 11:15 am.  5 vans will depart for Boston at 1 pm. Lunch will be provided. If your child is missing school Friday, please have them let the coach know so they can get notes for their teachers/school.  

Note for the Late Van:  these athletes will need to stop for dinner en route.  The expectation is that they will arrive around 9/9:30 at CRI, when they will meet with their host families.

Arrival time is expected around 7 pm at the CRI Boathouse, 20 Nonantum Rd, Brighton, MA.

CRI will be providing dinner for our athletes arriving at 7, hosting them overnight, and bringing them back for racing on Saturday.

SATURDAY, APRIL 7:

Racing is scheduled to start at 10:30 am, and will conclude by 1:30 pm

The athletes will then load the trailer, and all six vans will depart from CRI

There will be lunch provided onsite

We will post on the Parents FB page the ETA for arrival back at Casperson

A few important notes about traveling.  In addition to bringing the Mercer uni, all athletes should wear their travel shirt.  Please pack for the weather, and please pack snacks. The drive to Boston takes about 6 hours, and we do make stops, but your child may want extra food.  The kids do not need to bring sleeping bags or pillows, but they should bring comfortable clothes to wear when they are not racing.

As of now, the plan is to race in either the Basin or the Powerhouse Stretch of the Charles River.  If you are planning to go to Boston to watch, the best viewing is from the Riverside Boathouse, 769 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, or the MDC Pool, 719 Memorial Drive.  The weather may create some last minute changes, so please refer to the Parents FB page for maps and additional information.

We will be traveling in vans, with one boat per van.  Thank you to the parents who volunteered to chaperone:  Jill Morrison, Rose Barkenbush, Dave Gallagher, Chip and Susan Kalfaian, Els Vandecandelaere, and Jen Closser.

And thank you to Jim Armetta for providing lunch for our athletes on Friday.

The cost for the Regatta is $140. You can pay here

We will also have practice on Sunday at 7:45-10:30.

GO, MERCER!

Coach Justin

Coach Matt

Hello Parents,

Attached you will find the travel rosters for the races at CRI and the Neczypor Regatta on April 7.  The lineups will be posted next week.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Mercer Coaches

CRI/ Neczypor Travel Roster

Travel Roster CRI: Neczypor

Hello PNRA/Mercer Parents,

I hope everyone is enjoying the warmer weather!  Below you will see the practice times for Good Friday through next week.  Most schools have Spring Break next week, and we are trying to take advantage of this time, especially as we have had so many snow days.  However, some schools do not have their Break next week. If that is the case, your athlete should go to school – they are not required to come to the earlier practice, and they will not be penalized for missing the first session. The coaches will be giving those athletes who have school workouts that they can complete before school to be on the same page as everyone doing the double rows.  The Novices’ schedule will not change, practice will remain Monday-Friday, 4-6 PM. Please fill out the absence sheet if you will not be able to attend practice!

Varsity Girls Schedule:

Friday: 11:45am-2:15pm

Saturday: 8:00am-10:30am

Sunday: OFF

Monday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Second Session: 3:45pm-6:15pm

Tuesday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Second Session: 3:45pm-6:15pm

Wednesday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Second Session: 3:45pm-6:15pm

Thursday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Second Session: 3:45pm-6:15pm

Friday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; 1:00pm-2:00pm Loading Trailer; 4:00 Departure for Boston

Saturday: CRI Race in Boston

Sunday: 7:30am-10:30am Re-rigging and practice at the Boathouse

Varsity Boys Schedule:

Friday: 11:45am-2:15pm

Saturday: 10:30 am- 1:00pm

Sunday: OFF

Monday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Group 1: 3:45pm-5:45pm; Group 2 5:15-7:30

Tuesday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Group 1: 3:45pm-5:45pm; Group 2 5:15-7:30

Wednesday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Group 1: 3:45pm-5:45pm; Group 2 5:15-7:30

Thursday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; Group 1: 3:45pm-5:45pm; Group 2 5:15-7:30

Friday: First Session: 11:15am-1:00pm; 1:00pm-2:00pm Loading Trailer; 4:00 Departure for Boston

Saturday: CRI Race in Boston

Sunday: 7:30am-10:30am Re-rigging and practice at the Boathouse

We will be posting the roster of who is going to the CRI and who is going to the Steve Neczypor Regatta this Friday. Please be on the lookout for the trip fees; they will be up soon. You will have 22 days to register your athlete before the trip fee will incur a $15 additional late charge.

Best,

Mercer Coaches

Due to the weather, all practices scheduled for Wednesday, March 21 have been cancelled.

Hello PNRA/Mercer  Parents,

This is just a reminder that the Varsity Parents Meeting is tomorrow, Saturday, March 17 at 9:30 at the Boathouse.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Coach Justin
Coach Matt

Hello Mercer friends and family!

Our novices have just completed their second practice at the boathouse! Luckily the weather looks better next week (still chilly) so we will be returning to our normal Monday-Friday, 4-6 PM schedule. Please bring extra sweats and clothing since we will be outside for most of our practices.

This SUNDAY the novices have a practice at the Princeton Boathouse (70 Faculty Road) were we will be using their indoor rowing tanks:

Novice Boys: 7:50-9 AM

NEW Novice Girls: 8:50-10 AM (we will only have room for the athletes who did NOT row this fall)

The Novice Parents Meeting is next Saturday (3/24) at 9 AM, in the Caspersen Rowing Center. We will be discussing the season and upcoming races so this is a very important meeting to attend! If you are unable to make that date we will be holding a makeup meeting the next Tuesday (3/27) at 6 PM at the Rowing Center. Please make sure you attend one of these meetings! If you are unable to make either, please contact Coach Amanda so you can get updated on this season, aklaibershort@rowpnra.org. Paperwork should be handed in by the Parent Meeting!

Thank you for being flexible this week! Below are some pictures from our practices!

GO MERCER!!!

Good afternoon, Mercer Parents and Athletes,

Congratulations to the athletes for their efforts yesterday, and for contributing to the Row for the Cure!

Spring Season begins today.  You should have received an email about the changes in the schedule for this week.  Beginning March 19th, we will start the regular spring schedule.

All Mercer Varsity athletes who attended tryouts this past week are officially invited to the Mercer Varsity Team.  Please register your athlete for this season here as soon as possible, on March 26th the registration fee will increase by $15.

A reminder that the Spring Parents Meeting will be this Saturday, March 17th at 9:30 AM at the Boathouse. 

We look forward to seeing you there.

GO MERCER!!!

Hello PNRA/Mercer Parents,

Due to limited space at the Caspersen Rowing Center, the varsity girls will have normal practice today.

The varsity boys who DID NOT DO Winter Training will not have practice today. Those that signed up for Cross Fit will have it tonight 6:30-8: 00 pm

All Novices should have received an email from Coach Amanda.

GO MERCER!!!!

Hello Mercer friends and families!

Spring is underway for our Varsity rowers! This is a reminder that the Row for the Cure is factored into the tryout period, so if you are unable to attend you must talk to Coach Justin or Coach Matt. The complete tryout schedule is posted HERE. There is a MANDATORY parent meeting Saturday March 17th at 9 AM in the Caspersen Rowing Center, parents are expected to attend but your rower does not have to.

Please make sure your forms are turned in for the year! This includes a swim test (only needed once), a health clearance (once a year), family commitment (once a year), and the Code of Conduct (once a year). All forms must be turned in to Coach Amanda by the first day of regular practice, March 12th! Coach Matt and Justin will have a check list for each rower of what is needed and turned in so check in with them if you are not sure of a certain item.

Lightweight forms are also due March 12th, so if your rower is interested in possibly competing as a lightweight that form must be signed by a doctor. If you are interested in the bus from Princeton or West Windsor please see the previous blog post about how to get your child signed up HERE.

GO MERCER!

Hello PNRA/Mercer Parents and Athletes,

Below you will find the tryout schedule for the VARSITY boys and girls, March 5th – March 11th.

Girls
Monday: 3:45pm-6:15pm @ BH
Tuesday: People that completed winter training have off / People that did not complete winter training: 3:45pm-6:15pm @ BH
Wednesday: People that have signed up for Cross-Fit: Go to Cross-Fit 6:30-8:00pm / People that did not do winter training Meet at Princeton Football Stadium @ 3:45pm and we will end at 5:45pm
Thursday: Regular practice @ BH 3:45pm-6:15pm
Friday: Regular practice @ BH 3:45pm-6:15pm
Saturday: EVERYONE WILL MEET AT BH FROM 7:30AM-8:45AM TO COMPLETE WORKOUT WITH KAITY JACKSON TO GET READY FOR ROW FOR THE CURE. DO NOT GO TO CROSS-FIT GYM!
Sunday: ROW FOR THE CURE / This is a mandatory part of tryouts. If you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Boys
Monday: 3:45pm-6:15pm @ BH
Tuesday: People that completed winter training have off / People that did not complete winter training: 3:45pm-6:15pm @ BH
Wednesday: 3:45pm-6:15pm @ BH
Thursday: People that have signed up for Cross-Fit: Go to Cross-Fit 6:30-8:00pm / People that did not do winter training Meet at the BH@ 3:45pm and we will end at 5:45pm
Friday: Regular practice @ BH 3:45pm-6:15pm
Saturday: REGULAR CROSSFIT SESSION FOR WINTER ATHLETES 7:30- 9:00 AM/ 10:30- 12pm EVERYONE @ BH  
Sunday: ROW FOR THE CURE / This is a mandatory part of tryouts. If you have not registered yet, please do so as soon as possible.

GO MERCER!!!

Coach Matt and Coach Justin

Spring season will start on March 12th (subject to change), with Varsity try out starting on March 5th.

Our crew bus will leave Princeton High School every weekday during the season at 3:15 PM. It will stop on North Post Road & Clarksville on the way to the boathouse to pick up West Windsor rowers who need a ride to the boathouse. After practice, the bus will return from the boathouse to PHS.

The cost per rower depends on how many rowers we have, whether the rower rides one way or round trip, and whether the rower is on varsity/novice/8th Grade Development team. Any family with two or more rowers may get discounts. I calculate the cost per rower once the bus participation settles down.

The bus is open to all rowers; we typically have rowers from Princeton schools including PHS as well as Montgomery schools. Cranbury rowers who attend PHS and West Windsor rowers typically take the bus one way to the boathouse.

Our bus driver Ed went to Princeton High School when he was kid and he has lived in this community most of his life. He was driving for Princeton Charter School when parents hired him privately to drive a large carpool. He came highly recommended by generations of parents. We did not do a background check. I will make a copy of his driver license, insurance and bus registration. Parents please make a decision to participate or not.  We don’t represent Mercer, PNRA or any school.  

If you are interested, please contact yulifan@gmail.com with the following information:

Rower’s name, girl/boy, Varsity/Novice/8th Grade, Round trip/One Way, email, phone #

Due to the snow, all MJRC practices scheduled for Sunday, Feb 18 are cancelled.  Please check with captains for workouts.

Hello!

We have a few ERGattas this winter.

Main Line Slide (Lower Merion H.S. Ardmore, PA)  Race Date: February 4th; Registration: February 3rd Main Line Slide

Center City Slam (Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA) Race Date: February 10th; Registration: February 8th Center City Slam

Many rowers are aware of the indoor rowing competition CRASH-B Sprints held in Boston every February. This year, CRASH-B’s will be held February 25th at the Agganis Arena at Boston University. CRASH-B’s registration closes February 1st. New this year is the World Indoor Rowing Championship. This year, World Indoor Rowing Championship will be held February 17th at TC Williams High School in Alexandria VA. WIRC Registration closes January 31st.   

These events are strictly voluntary and any individual interested should talk to his or her coach before registering.  The travel associated with these races won’t be handled by the parent coordinators or coaches and is the responsibility of the athlete. If there are a significant number of athletes attending an event we will send Coach Matt and/or Coach Justin to support these rowers. 

March 11th is the Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure! This event will be held at the Peddie School and all proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Novice and Varsity are both expected to row at this event which will begin at 9 AM.

Spring Practice Schedule and Times

Varsity will practice Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 3:45-6:15 PM Tuesday will be OFF. Saturday 10:30-1:00 PM and Sunday 8:00-10: 30 AM. Varsity tryouts will be March 5-11 with the spring season starting on March 12th.

Novices will practice Monday – Friday 4:00-6:00 PM Saturday Practices TBA once the season starts. Spring begins March 12th for Novice.

GO MERCER!!!

Hello Mercer friends and family,

To help raise awareness of our club we are holding five information sessions all over central Jersey. We need YOUR HELP to get the word out to the communities! Flyers will be handed out at practice this week; put them up in your local grocery store, coffee shop, local restaurant, etc. and get the word out. Below I have the links to each flyer in case you are unable to be at the boathouse the next few weeks. If you have any questions or would like more information please contact Coach Amanda at aklaibershort@rowpnra.org.

Plainsboro-RowingOpenHousePlain

South Brunswick-RowingOpenHouseSB

Hopewell/PenningtonRowingOpenHouseHope

Princeton-RowingOpenHousePrince

Robbinsville/Allentown-RowingOpenHouseRob

All Sessions-RowingPoster2018

It’s now time to start thinking about spring! Registration is open for the spring Novice team and Varsity try-outs. If you participated in the 8th grade program a private email was sent to you with a link to sign up for the spring program. This way we allow the rowers from fall to sign up first. We will then extend any open spots to the fall waitlist and finally, March 1st, the remaining spots will be open to the public. Please contact your respective coach if you have any issues signing up or are in need of financial aid.

The Mercer Indoor Row for the Cure will be held March 11th in Peddie’s wresting room and is open to all levels of rowers! Sign up on Regatta Central for your shot to win the PINK HAMMER! Your registration cost will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization.

GO MERCER!!!

Due to the forecasted freezing rain and snow, all January 8th, Mercer afternoon and evening practices and activities are cancelled.

Varsity athletes are asked to check with their captains for workouts.

Hello, Mercer Parents and Athletes,

Please allow extra time to get to practice the next few days. There will be practice tonight, but please use your best judgment when traveling to and from the boathouse. If you are unable to make it to practice please fill out the practice absent sheet and get the work out from your captains.  There will be NO Cross Fit tomorrow January 6th.

Stay warm!

Coach Justin

Due to the recent snowfall and cold weather conditions, Varsity Strength Training is CANCELED for tomorrow, December 15th.

Due to the snow, Friday Dec 15’s Mercer Junior practices at the Caspersen Rowing Center are optional.  If you decide not to venture to the boathouse in the snow, please contact your captains about an alternative workout.

Hello Mercer family and friends!

We have a few more events and updates that will take us into the new year! First and foremost, please be aware that the ALL VARSITY practice on FRIDAY (12/15) will be at 3:45 PM. Novices will have their Saturday practice at the usual time.

This Sunday at 10 AM, Mercer is hosting the documentary “Dare to Be” at the Princeton Garden Theater. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the sport your child participates in up close and across the different level of competition, from learn to row to elite. Tickets are $12 ($13 if you buy them online) and available HERE or at the box office.

Alumni that are home for the holidays are welcome to train at the Caspersen boathouse during the following hours:

Hello Parents and Rowers,

This is a reminder that all VARSITY athletes should show up for 3:45 practice on Friday, December,15.

Thanks,
Coach Justin

Good Morning Novice Parents and Rowers,

Practice for the novice team is still on. Please take your time getting to and from the boathouse.

Go MERCER!!

Good afternoon Parents and Rowers,

Due to the incoming snow storm Varsity CrossFit is CANCELED for tomorrow morning.

Novice parents and athletes should check the blog tomorrow at 9:00 am for an update on practice.

Go MERCER!!

Hello Mercer friends and family,

December is off to a great start with all Mercer programs sharing our indoor training space and enjoying the mild weather. We have a few events and training updates to share with the Mercer community!  First and foremost, please remember to register your athlete for Winter training HERE.

We are hosting a screening of the movie “Dare to Be” on December 17th at the Princeton Garden Theater at 10 AM. This documentary follows female rowers’ triumphs and challenges from high school, collegiate, and elite teams. “Dare to Be” was filmed by a father of a high school rower who wanted to shed light on how far the sport had taken his daughter, and the rigors facing athletes in the sport today. Tickets are available HERE and are limited, get yours before the theater fills!