RegattaCentral

The Upper Merion Boat Club for Competitive and Recreational Rowing (UMBCCRR) was chartered on September 9, 1986 and Incorporated as a Pennsylvania Non-profit Corporation in February 1988.  It is the proud host and sponsor of The King's Head on the Schuylkill Regatta, founded by A. G. Tom Pappanastasiou at a club meeting held on November 11, 1986 in a recommendation to the Executive committee that a fall regatta be held on September 27, 1987.  A. G. Tom Pappanastasiou was the club's Commodore from October 1987 until December 2008.    

January 27, 1987 Tom Pappanastasiou volunteered to be chairman of the regatta which was proposed to be held annually on the last Sunday of September. 

February 18, 1987 Tom reported that the initial members of the regatta committee included Suzy Marcucci and Bill Stribrny, Jr.

The first regatta brochure advertised the race as "A  2-3/4 mile race on a wide, gently curving, protected section of the Schuylkill River through the communities of Port Indian, King of Prussia, Abrams, Norristown and Bridgeport, just below the Valley Forge National Historical Park."

In 1987 Tom Pappanastasiou was seen, at the Dad Vail, Stotesbury and other Philadelphia regattas and the Master's Nationals held in Lake Placid, with this King's Head Regatta traveling display.  Old timers will recall KH posters stapled to numerous trees on boathouse row.

The first regatta had entries from the Alden Ocean Shell Association, Bachelors BC, Baltimore RC, Brigantine RC, Crescent BC, Carnegie Lake RA, Cassadilla BC, California YC, Franklin & Marshall College, Fairmount RA, Interlachen RC, LaSalle University, Malta BC, Penn AC RA, Potomac BC, Philadelphia Girls RC, Ridley Grad BC, Sagamore RC, Stockton State College, University BC, Undine BC, Upper Merion BC, University of Pennsylvania BC, United States Army, Vesper BC, Villanova University BC, Viking RA, Washington College BC, Wilmington BC.

The Chief Judge and Referee was Michael Bergen with assistance from USRowing officials Ned Thomas and Tom Moore.   Michael Bergen has served as the Chief Judge and/or Start Line Referee for 22 consecutive years.

        Article published in Times Herald September 28, 1987 first King's Head Regatta

Viking RC's Scott Jones competes at King's Head IV September 23, 1990

King's Head XXI, September 30, 2007, view upriver of course and crowd

UMBCCRR is an organizational member of The United States Rowing Association www.usrowing.org .