RegattaCentral

The TRRA Scholastics Sprints began on the last weekend of April 1992 giving the growing number of high school rowing programs in Pittsburgh a chance against each other early in the 'sprint' rowing year.

Sprint rowing, traditionally held during the spring months is very exciting for both the competitors and spectators.  Held over a distance of 1500 meters, shells of the equal size, and rowers of the same gender, weight range, and experience line up evenly in six lanes and go all out to the finish line--slightly less than a mile.  Typically taking six to eight minutes depending on the crew, its a high-energy game of skill and strategy which moves the athlete to anaerobic state very quickly. 

The Scholastic Sprints was held on the Allegheny River near the boathouse on Washington's Landing until 1999 when it moved to Lake Arthur in Moraine State Park due to its growth in popularity among out-of-town high schools and the unpredictabiliy of the Pittsburgh river conditions in the early spring.  The race date was moved to the first weekend in May as slight buffer to the colder water at the lake especially since competitors are required to 'walk' their boats in since there are no rowing docks used in the lake.

The race course at Lake Arthur (Pleasant Valley area) is nearly perfect for sprint racing.  It affords spectators almost a complete view of the race and has a perfect area at the exciting finish.  More than a thousand parents, relatives, and friends cheer their favorite crews across the finish line.

The Scholastic Sprints has grown to be one of the most popular high school races in the Mid-West region giving rowers--from novices to varsity--two days of great competition.