Typically the shopping is done the Wednesday or Thursday before the regatta. Coach Sue completes the shopping list and passes it along to the parent(s) that are shopping along with the club card. Shopping is done at Woodmans (in Carpentersville or Volo).
Propane and the small 1 gallon gas can for the generator will be checked during inventory and may need to be filled prior to the regatta. This can be done any time before the regatta and the propane tanks and gas can be loaded directly onto the trailer once they are filled. Please put the propane tanks in the crates so they don't roll around on the trailer.
The packing is usually done on Thursday evening while the rowers are loading boats. This includes:
Following the shopping/packing list and making sure that all bins are packed appropriately and loaded on the trailer
Each bin also has a packing manifest, so make sure to follow the packing manifest for each bin (in addition to the regatta packing list) so that we have all of the materials needed for the regatta
Ensure that ice is purchased and coolers are appropriately packed and loaded
Following the shopping/packing list to make sure that all other equipment needed (generators, etc.) that are loaded on the trailer
See this short video on how to load the utility trailer: https://youtu.be/CsaY-zDT1V0
A parent volunteer hauls the utility trailer to the regatta site. They can take the trailer home on Thursday evening if it is convenient for them to do that, or they can come get it at the rowing center on Friday before leaving. Gas is paid by the club for the parent hauling the trailer, and typically there is some kind of preferred parking.
The utility trailer driver coordinates with the parents that are loading and communicates when they will arrive at the regatta so that parents can jump in and get things set up. They also coordinate with everyone after the regatta so parents can come help unload the trailer after the regatta.
Utility trailer driver should also check with the coaches for regatta site information - where to pull in to the regatta site and where to park, etc. Utility trailer drivers should remember that when the regatta information talks about trailer parking, they are talking about SHELL trailers. Team utility trailers are referred to as Booster Trailers, Food Trailers Chuck Wagons, Team Trailers, etc. So you should NOT go to the trailer parking, but look specifically for booster trailer parking.
Parents will help set up and maintain the team tent area during the regatta day, and take care of the cooking for the event. At least one parent should plan to be at the regatta to help.
Once we arrive at the regatta site, parents will unload the tents and set up the tent area. There are specific instructions for how the tent area is setup.
More information about how the tent area is set up here >>
A few parents need to check the food tables throughout the day to ensure that food and beverage items are out and available for the rowers, help the people cooking to get hot food out, etc. These parents should also check the garbage and remove garbage as necessary. Each regatta has a way that they prefer to handle garbage, so please take a moment to figure out what the rules are for regatta garbage. Food area monitoring is a job best shared so that parents can be sure to see thier rowers race.
This is a job that is best shared so that cooks can make sure they see their rowers race. Cooks follow the cooking plan for the regatta and may need to cook in batches to ensure that food is
OR COOKING - Everyone can certainly jump in and take a shift cooking. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS GET TO SEE THEIR KIDS RACE and are not standing behind a grill when their kids are coming across the finish line, so parents that don't have kids in a race, please jump in to help each other out! This venue has a pretty good viewing area, so please jump in where needed!
When we are cooking, please keep spices to salt and pepper only... seasonings and dressings are provided so that people can add them later. This is important for lots of reasons, but mainly, rowers need to put things in their stomach that won't cause problems. It may seem like a good idea to add a seasoning to the chicken, but if that seasoning has something like MSG, you could be unwittingly causing someone problems. Keep it simple and let people add their own stuff.
Also be aware that we always provide a vegetarian option. The important implication of that is PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE UTENSILS THAT YOU ARE USING. Please don't use the tongs that you used on the bacon to toss the salad (for example). Related to that, we cook all the meat on the Blackstone first (bacon then chicken), then completely clean the Blackstone before making anything else so that everything else can be vegetarian.
Be aware of not putting dairy in everything. Lots of people are fine with dairy, certain dairy before a race might not be great for rowers SO when you are cooking things, make it so dairy can be added later. For something like quesadillas, make a few without cheese for those that might need to go lighter on the dairy.
COOKING SCHEDULE - Two things to keep in mind:
1) Pre-Race Fueling - Some rowers can't eat anything before they race and some rowers need to have something light and "known" in their stomach before they race. It is important to put out the "cold breakfast" items as soon as possible (like the yogurt, granola, granola bars, fruit, etc.) because some of the rowers that row early will need to grab something before they go out and will need to do that soon after we arrive.
2) Post-Race Eating - Rowers are typically not hungry for about 45 minutes after they row and what they eat will largely be determined by whether or not they are rowing again that day and when they are rowing. If they are done racing for the day, they will eat a lot. If they are rowing again, they will scale their food based on how long it is to their next race. For cooking, this means that you will cook in batches so that things are hot for the kids that are coming off the water. Please pay attention to the race schedule and plan to have hot food ready about 45 minutes after races come in. It usually works out that the races are kind of in "groups" so you can cook for groups of rowers that are coming off the water. Also remember that if food is not ready exactly 45 minutes after a race is done, no one is going to die. They are all great about waiting and can wait another few minutes for their food. it's just great if things are hot which can be tricky when cooking outside (hence why it's better to cook in batches).
Just transition from breakfast to lunch whenever it's convenient. At some point just stop making scrambled eggs and make sure the chicken is available. It's as simple as that. Don't even worry about the time. I know lots of rowers that would eat chicken for breakfast and scrambled eggs for lunch. Bacon can go on salad or in wraps... so it's all good!
There is always a last boat or two for the day. Typically we'll make sure that the last boat plans ahead and makes themselves plates (or their parents make them plates) so they can eat after they come in, but depending on the timing, parents may have to wait to start packing things up, or may be able to pack things up early.
Where: At home (probably best done on a computer, but could be done on a phone)
When: Early March and Early August
Who: 1 Parent
What:
Pull up the Regatta Food Inventory Results >>
Use the "Current Inventory" tab and make sure you are looking at the most recent inventory (check the date at the top)
Pull up the Beginning of Season Shopping List >>
Fill in the quantities (in the yellow column) using the "Estimated Regatta Days & Number of People" numbers in the second tab and the Current Inventory (Regatta Food Inventory Results >>) as reference (call or text Coach Sue with questions)
Sort the Begining of Season Shopping List by Column E (Where to Purchase)
Contact the parents that will be doing the shopping and tell them:
What store they are assigned to shop at (Costco is all online and just needs to be picked up)
What their timeframe is to complete their shopping (this could be several weeks)
Send them a link to the shopping list (Beginning of Season Shopping List >> )
Where: Assigned Store, Rowing Center
When: Early March and Early August
Who: 1-4 Parents
What:
Contact Coach Sue regarding payment method and make sure you have the appropriate payment card
Using the Beginning of Season Shopping List >> purchase the items listed for the store that you are assigned to and check them off as you purchase them
Bring items to the rowing center and unload them placing them in the appropriate areas (shelves in the office are labeled, or place the the refrigerator or freezer)