RegattaCentral

On Saturday, October 15th, experience the 35th Annual First Coast Head Race, the oldest rowing head race in Florida. This annual regatta is held in Arlington on the St. Johns and Arlington Rivers. 

    This year’s race features clubs from the Southeast U.S. These organizations have boats ranging from single- to eight-rower teams and are entered in more than 50 races. The first race starts at 8:00 a.m. and viewing is accessible all day along the Cesery bridge and behind 644 Cesery Blvd.

                                  About First Coast Rowing Club

      FCRC is open to any interested middle or high school student. After beginning in a borrowed barge with wooden oars, we now have a fleet of competition-grade shells, thanks to the hard work and generosity of our parents and donors. Our fleet includes many rowing shells, (including eights, fours, quads, pair/doubles and singles); four wake-less launches and a wonderful floating dock. We have dressing rooms and bathrooms, a training room, and a covered shelter for our small sculling boats. Since 1994, FCR has won five national titles and more than 100 State Championships. FCRC rowers have participated in gold medal wins at the Junior World Rowing Championships as part of the Junior National Team and FRC Alumni have raced and won in the collegiate division of the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in England. Many FCRC rowers continue to row in college, some with full scholarships. Several alumni are coaching rowing at the high school and collegiate levels.

    First Coast Rowing Club’s mission is to help children establish strong character, learn life skills and develop physically and emotionally through the sport of rowing. FCRC competes at varsity, lightweight, junior varsity, third varsity, freshman and novice levels and offers adult sculling lessons and fitness programs. The Foundation is made up of interested members of the community, parents of rowers and alumni. To learn more about First Coast Rowing Club, go to www.FirstCoastRowingClub.org. A Florida nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation.

                                  About Jacksonville Rowing Club

    The Jacksonville Rowing Club (JRC) finds its history rooted in the tradition of two early Jacksonville rowing clubs; the Remex Rowing Club and the St. John's Few Rowing Club.  Remex Rowing Club was the first rowing club organized in Jacksonville and was founded by Robert Negaard in the early seventies.  Charlie Platt, who at the time was with Episcopal High School, also helped Remex get started.  Remex was officially incorporated in the State of Florida in June 10, 1975. During its existence, the club organized the first club regatta in Jacksonville, the Remex Regatta, which ran on the St. John's River through downtown, finishing at the Hilton Hotel.  At that time, the Hilton had a Remex-inspired, rowing-themed pub in the hotel where participants could watch the race, enjoy refreshment and look over the rowing memorabilia.  Although in the early eighties the Remex Rowing Club ceased to operate as a club, under the tutelage of Dr. A. Sanchez-Salazar, it did produce a number of National Champions and National Team members; Kristen Negaard in the 1977 Junior Single, Louise Novey in the 1979 Junior Single, Billie Brown in the 1979 Lightweight Single, Clay Ziegler in the 1980 Lightweight Double and Barbara Sanchez-Salazar for the 1978 Junior National Team.

    Today, the JRC is sculling and sweep rowing, novice and experienced, recreational and competitive adult rowing. No matter what your rowing experience or interests, there is something for you at JRC.  www.jaxrow.org