Oak Ridge Rowing Association

In 2009 Oak Ridge Rowing celebrates 30 years of rowing excellence. This looks to be the biggest and one of the best regatta seasons to date. As in the past Oak Ridge's regatta success has been based in the volunteer spirit of the community. This year will be no exception, to make this happen Oak Ridge Rowing will need 1250 volunteers to cover over 5000 hours of the events. The 2009 schedule includes local events hosted by Oak Ridge Rowing three Regional Championships and three National Championships.

Whether you know very little about the sport of rowing or are a passionate follower of the sport. This is your chance to get involved and leave your mark. By getting involved as a volunteer, you could be joining a team of 1250 who’ll be welcoming the nation to the Oak Ridge-Knoxville metro area.

We’re looking for a volunteer team that shares our values of excellence, teamwork, creativity, sustainability and trust. If these words speak to you, read on. We’d love to tell you more about what it takes to join our team.

We're need volunteers who are available before, during and after the 2009 regatta season. We encourage everyone to apply, but please keep in mind that the more time and flexibility you have, the more opportunities there may be for you to get involved. You must be 13 years old the day of the event to apply for a volunteer role. You’ll need a valid e-mail address and access to the Internet to access this information.

Our venue is all outside dress anticipating inclement weather and the likelihood of getting wet, wear layered and waterproof clothing and a hat, sunscreen and gloves. Docks may become slippery so wear appropriate footwear. Do not wear any red clothing while performing jobs near the course. This is because a red flag is used to stop a race. A Personal Flotation Device (PFD) must be worn at all times while performing jobs on the water.

There are many areas of the Venue that need your help. Some of these positions require little or no rowing experience while some require the seasoned veteran. Please let us know your experience and please specify your shift preference on the Sign Up page. Check out our list of job descriptions on the right side of the page for a closer look. There are many chances for you to get involved; you’ll be asked if you’re interested in volunteering for specific regattas on the volunteer application form. Please choose all the events that you are able to assist with.

The experience of our volunteers is extremely important to us. That’s why all volunteers are provided with the training necessary to perform their roles. There will be two training sessions that volunteers will need to attend prior to the first competition day each will cover the following:

General- venue orientation - This session covers information about the venue that is relevant to all volunteers. It includes event details such as sport background, competition details, check-in times and location, meals, breaks, and safety and medical information.
Job-specific training - This role-specific training session is conducted by supervisors. It covers specific duties assigned to teams, health and safety rules, equipment use, policies and daily procedures. It’s also an opportunity to meet the rest of your team.
You will be given an armband, Parking pass, T-shirt, or other items to identify you as a volunteer.

Individuals wishing to volunteer should sign-up for a volunteer opportunity. The day of the event please report to the volunteer tent at the regatta, sign attendance sheets and insurance waiver. Please indicate both time of arrival and time of your departure in order to receive volunteer credit for the number of hours worked.

Thanks for helping us out, and we look forward to seeing you at the regatta.