RegattaCentral

The Tampa Watersports Festival

2015 Mayor’s Cup Regatta

The Mayor’s Cup is one of the preeminent early-season rowing events featuring many of the top crews and athletes from around the country. With its inaugural event in 1975 as The University of Tampa’s President’s Cup Regatta, the races have become a key training event for many of the top universities and high schools such as The United States National Team, Yale, Dartmouth, Marietta, Temple, and The Kent School.

While Tampa has long been the home to rowing with The University of Tampa beginning its program in 1941, as well as many top collegiate, and Olympic crews making Tampa their home for spring training, this spectator oriented event presents a unique opportunity for the local business community, future collegiate athletes and sports enthusiasts to participate in and witness competition at its highest level.

The races take place in Downtown Tampa’s Seddon Channel between Harbor and Davis Islands. Unlike many other rowing events, spectators will be able to watch nearly all parts of the competition from mid race battling for position to an all out sprint for the finish line where the difference between first and last may be a few meters. Spectator areas include Tampa General Park near the finish line, Hillsborough Community College (HCC) near the mid-point and Marjorie Park Marina. The race can also be seen along Channel Drive on Davis Island, as well as the west side of Harbor Island.