Utility Trailer Hauling (1 parent)

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.

Regatta Day Cooking (2-4 parents throughout the day)

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 hot when rowers are read to eat. Below are some guidelines for cooking, plus sample regatta cooking instructions.

Jump in to help so everyone can see their kids race

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! There are some regattas where this is easier than others. Head races can be more difficult than sprint races, but there are also some sprint races where viewing can be more difficult.

Keep spices simple while 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 when they are racing. It may seem like a good idea to add a seasoning to the chicken or marinate the chicken, but if that seasoning has something like MSG, it could unwittingly causing someone problems. Keep it simple and let people add their own stuff.

Be aware of vegetarian cooking

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.

Provide some non-dairy options

Be aware of not putting dairy (cheese) 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).

Transitioning from breakfast to lunch - keep it simple

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!

Last race of the day

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. Often the last boat will just want to get packed up to leave and eat on the way home. So, depending on the timing, parents may be able to pack up early, or mayhave to wait until the last boat has a chance to eat.

Sample Cooking Instructions

Here are sample cooking instructions for a one day regatta. The general instructions are all pretty much the same with various twists. Basically, put out cold breakfast, heat water, cook bacon, cook chicken, clean grill, cook everything else. Sample Regatta Cooking Instructions >>

Post-Regatta Unloading at the Rowing Center & Dirty Dishes (2-4 parents)

When the utility trailer arrives back at the rowing center it needs to be unloaded and the person that hauls the trailer should not be stuck doing it by themselves. Parents should plan on meeting the trailer back at the rowing center (this can often be done while the rowers are unloading boats at the boatyard). 

• All perishable food should be unloaded and put in the freezer or refrigerator.

• Families should take home any perishable food items that will not last until the next regatta if you did not do this already). 

• Ice in coolers should be emptied and coolers left to dry.

• All food should be unloaded from the trailer and brought inside.

• Propane and gas should be brought inside.

• Any dishes, water coolers, pots, or other items that need to be cleaned should go home with a volunteer that will clean and return them.

• If tents and tarps were wet at the regatta, they need to be taken out of the boxes and laid out so they can dry.

• Any other items were wet at the regatta (tent frames? other equipment?) that you feel need to dry out should be brought inside to dry.