RegattaCentral

The John Hunter Regatta began in 1986 as a collegiate rowing competition for Georgia Tech, Tulane, UT Chattanooga and Clemson. By 1989 it had grown to 10 colleges and 4 junior rowing teams.  The Saint Andrew junior team became co-host that year and the event became known as the Atlanta Rowing Festival.  Throughout the 1990s the regatta grew to more than 650 athletes, 20 college teams and 12 junior teams.

In 1999, the Atlanta Rowing Festival changed its name to honor a friend of rowing and benefactor to the Georgia Tech and Saint Andrew Rowing Clubs.  John Hunter was instrumental in his support of the Georgia Tech Rowing Club and the formation of the Saint Andrew youth team.  It was John who had the vision to help these programs grow from a few dedicated rowers to the teams they are today.  It is in John's honor that we have renamed this event the John Hunter Regatta.

In 2002 the regatta was moved to the Lake Lanier Olympic Course in Gainesville, Georgia, the site for the 1996 Olympic Games.  The Lake Lanier Rowing Club joined with Saint Andrew and Georgia Tech to assist in hosting the fast growing event. This year the regatta is expected to draw more than 2,500 spectators and 1,200 rowers, representing more than 35 colleges and junior teams from throughout Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Florida.