RegattaCentral

The Springfield Riverfront Regatta began in 2005 as a celebration of the river.  In conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the Pioneer Valley Yacht Club, a number of rowers got together to open their venue up to Northeast rowers for a little fun and competition.  Ever since this first event, this celebration has continued to thrive with local river enthusiasts hosting the event and showcasing their home course.

The Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club is a 501(c)3 charitable organization intended to bring people to the riverfront and partake in healthy lifestyle choices.  With various programs for youth and adults as its base, PVRC is poised for a great future and has expanded into disciplines such as Dragon Boating and bicycle rentals.  In 2012, the City of Springfield announced that PVRC had won the bid to run programs from the boathouse at North Riverfront Park in the North End of Springfield, MA.  The boathouse structure was built in 1901 as the home of the Rockrimmon Boat Club, but it had hosted no rowing programs since the 1970s.  The PVRC, Putnam Vocational High School, and many volunteers overhauled the building to accommodate the growing programs.  In 2015, a state and city grant paid to have the property beautified and made more environmentally friendly.  Instead of being a large impermiable asphalt lot, it has become a true park reflecting the nature of the programs it hosts.

The Springfield Rockrimmon Regatta "turned the stake" in 2013 and became a stake race.  Harkening back to the roots of great programs and historic races, PVRC was proud to dust-off a traditional format of racing.  The 3-mile stake race brings many advantages to our event and the venue is incredibly conducive to a top-notch experience.  The 1.5 mile stretch that will be raced in both directions has a couple of bridges, but is quite straight and presents few (if any) natural challenges.  The start/finish line is close to the launching/landing dock.  In addition, the entire race course runs parallel to a riverfront bikepath where friends and family are welcome to ride and see the boats from multiple vantage points.  Near the stake is Springfield's Riverfront Park (at the bottom of State Street).  From that point, a spectator can gather a beautiful view of boats rowing under the Memorial Bridge, turning the stake 1000 meters later and returning through the bridge.

Year after year, our race receives rave reviews as the most fun, friendly, and delicious race around. We will, as always, be awarding some tasty treats and local fare to the winners.

The North Riverfront Park (NRP) staging area and boathouse is located at 121 West Street, Springfield.  In addition to NRP, the best viewing of the race course will be from the North End Bridge, Memorial Bridge, Connecticut River Walk & Bikeway, or Riverfront Park.

For additional information about PVRC, please visit www.pvriverfront.org