While many rowing folks were on their phones watching a bunch of dual races in England, some 1050+ entries with 2500 athletes were row(ing)2k's under the watchful eye of Jack Kelly; here is some of what we saw from the bridges, banks, and docks of the Schuylkill this weekend.

The regatta had a solid vibe going, with winners thanking regatta folks for putting on the racing, and regatta folks thanking participants for coming to their regatta;

We've Seen Flips Before, But Not Like This One

There were a few good flips on the weekend, as is often the case when small boat rowers push themselves to their limits - you can see a couple of those below - but it's a first for me at least to see a flipped 'wakeless' launch. I believe the launch drivers were involved in a rescue at the time, and in those situations you don't prioritize the equipment for sure.

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Another flip happened on the first stroke of the first race on Saturday afternoon.

Dredging Almost Underway

Lots of big equipment is arriving on the Schuylkill as dredging is about to start in earnest; we like the No Wake

You can see some of the stuff they will be removing here.

Battle of the Bow Decks

Which one would you want to row?

This one, or this one?

The patriotic deck crew won some medals to boot.

Boat Has Two Names, Might Need a Third

Somebody go finger paint WASH ME on this hull please!

Scary Boat Names

I don't know which is scarier, falling down these steps or running up them - likely for rowers if not for movie stunt persons, these steps are harder going up than down.

These boat names might be even more ominous:

BONES

TOMB

Short Snooze, Then Race

Every single sculler can relate to taking a load off the seat for a couple minutes mid-row.

Finally!

After he crossed the line in first, Will Tran shouted 'Finally!!' We asked on the dock what he meant, and it turns out this was his first rowing victory.

You can see his whole race here:

Summer Reading

When your race notes are almost as long as the required summer reading syllabus.

Who Needs a Royal Regatta...

When you have the Sofa King himself in the house to hand out trophies, medals, and crowns?

The official Sofa King trophy goes to the winner of the Open Men's Eight, but the king asked if he could give out crowns to the winning women's crews as well; you go, queens.

The unis are entertaining as well.

These Folks Must Row in Rough Water a Lot

Otherwise would you name your boat this, or this?

It Could Be Worse

If you felt you had to name your boat this, or especially this.

Locals Watching the Racing

A turtle family lives on the river bottom behind the Strawberry Mansion abutment and comes up in between races all day long, all spring long; you may have seen them in past galleries.

While we are posting animal photos, this dog looks giant:

Worst Thing About Rowing a Quad

I think we have written about this before, but it has to be rowing by pairs.

Watch Out!

More than a couple watches went into the drink or almost went into the drink during the weekend when spent rowers tried to put them on with shaky hands; the pro tip seems to be put them in your uni until back at the dock.

Philly Accent

Does this shirt have a Philly accent?

Volundeers Needed

If you are the launch driver for Santa, does that make you a volunteer reindeer?

Camera Spotters of the Week

There was one rower who was looking for or at the camera every time they raced past, whew - but these rowers get the award for camera spotting due to saving it for the paddle home.

Mustaches of the Month

Goes to this duo rowing in the men's pair race, no contest.

Lightweight?

Do these hand signs mean Light Weight? Could be worse...

PennAC Sinks the Dock

PennAC won the points and sunk the dock - congrats!

Until Next Year

There was a lot of smooching on the dock this year - just sharing the love for IDR. See you in 2024!