FOREST PARK CREW

HISTORY

Forest Park Crew was founded in the summer of 2000 with only a dream: to be the fifth

high school to row out of Oxford House in Lake Ridge Park. Slowly, the board members

emerged and worked with head coach Heather Cox to make the dream a reality. During

our first season we stored our equipment in a space donated by the Park Authority. With

used equipment rented to us by other schools, we persevered and put 46 rowers on the

water our first year--to the surprise of many and the chagrin of those who told us it

couldn’t be done. We even earned a few ribbons!

The second year of our program brought many interested kids…nearly 100 attended our

informational session in the spring. However, equipment continued to be an issue, and we

ended up having to make cuts to accommodate 52 rowers. Thanks to the persistence

of then, President, Eddie Barnette, we acquired a permanent space in the boathouse. Once again, Forest Park Crew rose to the challenge and achieved its goal of qualifying

for NOVAs, the premiere rowing event in Northern Virginia for high school rowers.

As we continue into our seventh year, great things continue to await Forest Park Crew.

The program currently employs four coaches including both a head men’s and women’s

coach, and have availability for a fifth coaching position. The team race a varsity

or first eight as the premiere boats in both men’s and women’s events. Due to the

dedication and hard work of our parents, we now own our own shells (two new 8s,

two new 4s and three used 8s).