RegattaCentral

What is the buoy situation? Many and obvious.  We have about 10 pyramid style buoys that will be out.  They are yellow and orange in color and roughly 5ft tall.  If you've ever done a triathlon they are the same buoys used by Ironman.

Why did you shorten the course?  There are a few reasons.  We've been vulnerable to southerly winds and by moving the course along the eastern shore, we should have more protection from it.  Keeping it along the eastern shore also means less interraction with motor boats by not having to cross the river.  The final and most subjective reason is when I ask other coaches around the country why we row 5k, the usual response is a combination shrug, "I dunno", "we always have" often followed by a comment about how they wish it wasn't a "set" distance.  Going to 4k, we match the distance of the Head of the Schuykill, are longer than the Head of the Fish or Head of the Ohio.  I think 4k is long enough to get what you need in terms of not being at a sprint pace and getting to navigagte while being more welcoming to newer and younger rowers.  If you agree, let me know, if you don't, please let me know.

Will there be safety boats? Yes.  We will have 5 or more locations where we'll have safety boats along the course.

Do we go through the bridge? No.  We used to row through the bridge, but one of the improvements for this year is that we'll be putting our docks in position at the beaches up the shore from the fishing dock we used to use.  If you row through the bridge at the regatta, you've either missed the course or decided to add some meters while visiting the James River.

What happens if the weather sucks? We are on a river that is impacted by the tide and wind.  If the water conditions are too rough on the main course but are safe from another direction or area, we may alter the race course.  One cool thing about our area is that we have several directions we can row a long way.  If the water is too rough for safe rowing, we'll cancel the regatta.  Beyond just wind and waves, we follow the same standards you would expect in terms of no rowing during thunder/lightning or heavy rain.

I have a specific question I want asked that may or may not be frequent.  Great, shoot me an email or give me a call.  Our contact info is on the front page and under contacts.