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About PA Crew

Twenty years of rowing on the Lynnhaven.

The Princess Anne Crew Club is a non-profit, volunteer-run rowing club for high school students across Virginia Beach. We’re a team of hardworking athletes, parents and coaches who believe it truly is a team sport.

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Our history

From a backyard boat shop to a year-round crew

2006

Two Princess Anne students found the club. First Colonial’s crew donates two worn four-person shells and eight oars; the first fall is spent repairing boats and painting oar blades.

2008

A neighbor offers waterfront access and parents build the dock, ramp and boat racks. The team races its first regatta, the Head of the Lafayette.

2018

After a call for help in the local paper, a new host opens her backyard to the team. Coach Jon joins in November and becomes head coach in January 2019.

Today

More than 30 rowers train year-round at our Thalia practice site and race in fall and spring regattas across Virginia and North Carolina.

Our coaches

Volunteers who live on the water

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HEAD COACH

Jon Macy

Former collegiate rower and mechanical engineer. With the team since late 2018 and head coach since January 2019. His goals: keep every rower safe, teach sound mechanics and build pride.

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ASSISTANT COACH

Carol Downing

A team founding member and former collegiate rower, volunteering for 20 years. When she isn’t on the launch, she’s a full-time pediatrician.

What we believe

Our goals and philosophy

  • Foster an environment that supports physical and emotional well-being.

  • Teach rowing skills and inspire commitment to improvement through focused training.

  • Build a culture of respect, teamwork, sportsmanship, camaraderie and fun.

Run by volunteers, funded by families

PA Crew receives no funding from the city or the school system. Our coaches and board are volunteers, and our dues are among the lowest in the area. Many other local teams have folded in recent years; parent support is why we haven’t.

Not sure crew is for you? You won’t know until you try it.

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