This regatta was created in honor of paralympic rower Blake Haxton, the UA Crew alumnus who lost his legs, and nearly his life, to rare flesh-eating bacteria in the spring of 2009. “I have never coached an athlete who has as much ability or drive than Blake Haxton” says former coach Chris Swartz. The Haxton was also created with an emphasis on the true spirit of competition. Upper Arlington Crew hosts this regatta each year, in part, as a fund-raising event to help provide scholarship money to UA Crew athletes via Blake's own UA Rowing Foundation. Through the gracious contributions of corporations, individuals, and numerous volunteers, the Haxton Fall Regatta has been a tremendous success and will continue to grow each year.
