South Lakes High Launches First Crew Team

by Matt Reider, staff writer

Members of the first-ever South Lakes crew team practices in the lecture hall at the high school. Photo by Stephen Reider

Amateur rowing, or “crew,” began in the late 18th century when British public schools formed boat clubs to compete against each other. In Fairfax County, crew has long been a recognized sport. The Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association (VASRA) was chartered by five schools in 1979 and now includes more than 40 teams.

This spring, South Lakes High School is fielding a crew team for the first time. Tryouts were held the week of Feb. 23, including on-land rowing and a swim test at Reston Community Center. The previous Friday, during a “green day,” a lecture hall held eight rowing machines, or ERGs, where five boys and six girls rotated through 1,000-meter pulls. They were led by first-year coach Erich Hoefer, a Georgetown rowing graduate, while parent and booster Konrad Huppi assisted. The team is still seeking a dedicated coach, but Erich stepped in to launch the inaugural season.

Crew has been a family affair for the Huppis. Konrad’s oldest son, John, rowed at Tulane University and now serves as head coach of Tulane’s men’s and women’s teams while teaching in the School of Architecture. His younger brother, Ryne, took up crew in Loudoun County but had no spring high school team at South Lakes—until now.

In 2025, the Westfield High School crew dissolved, freeing storage space at Bull Run Marina. With guidance from VASRA President Dorothy Lazor, Langley High Crew coach Kevin Bedell, and South Lakes Athletic Director Andrew Duggan, the South Lakes Crew was formed. The booster club expects more than 20 students to participate this spring, fielding both boys’ and girls’ varsity eights (eight rowers plus a coxswain).

Launching a crew team presents challenges. The Fairfax County School system purchased used ERG machines for winter workouts, and established teams have loaned oars, launch boats and motors. The novice team will practice three days a week, shuttling 30 minutes to Bull Run Marina for on-water training before its first competitive regatta.

Ryne Huppi, one of the few team members with prior rowing experience, has helped recruit students and sees crew as a path to collegiate opportunities. His twin sister, Kyra, serves as team manager and social media coordinator, while other parents and boosters will support regattas, which will be held nearly every weekend in the spring on the Occoquan River at Sandy Run.

South Lakes now joins other Fairfax County schools—Langley, Lake Braddock, Oakton and Fairfax—in offering crew. Rosters, schedules and volunteer opportunities will be posted as the Seahawks take to the water for their inaugural season.