Nearly 3,000 senior athletes from 34 countries will visit St. Catharines in the first week of September for the 2010 FISA World Rowing Masters regatta. Competitors range in age from 28 to 91, and represent rowing clubs from all over the world.
The regatta is run by the FISA Masters Commission, working in conjunction with a local organizing committee and Rowing Canada Aviron.
The regatta has been three years in the planning and the local organizing committee, co-chaired by Phil Jones and George Darte has also raised significant funds to continue to improve the caliber of the Henley rowing course. A new scoreboard, digital timing system and a new floating weed harvester are only three of the new items purchased in preparation for this world event.
It has been four years since this Regatta has been held in North America, and organizers are looking forward to many visitors from all over the world, including China, Japan, Europe, Africa, Australia and South America during the week. A large contingent of competitors is expected from the United States: 203 athletes are registered form Massachusetts, 185 from California, 121 from New York and 113 from Maryland.
Since athletes may register in more than one event, organizers are interested in their "seat count," the number of entries in the races and there are 7,582 "seats" registered.
The average age of the men competing is 54 and the average age of the women competitors is 49. Unlike other regattas, these older competitors will travel with family and look forward to enjoying a holiday week in Niagara in addition to the rowing competitions. The Greater St. Catharines-Niagara Accommodation Partners booking agency has been incorporated into the registration process, and many local hotels, motels and camp-grounds are receiving record bookings. Camping is also available for visitors on Henley Island.
The course is open for practices on Tuesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 1; and racing will get underway on Thursday, September 2 and events will run through Sunday, September 5.
An opening ceremony with fireworks will be held on Thursday, September 2 at 8pm. The public is welcome.
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List of countries registered to date:
Argentina
Australia
Brazil
Bulgaria
Canada
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Great Britain
Hungary
India
Ireland
Israel
Japan
Latvia
Lithuania
Mexico
Monaco
Netherlands
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Russia
Serbia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
USA