On the next to last Sunday of every October, since 1965, the Cambridge Boat Club and the Charles River has been THE destination of rowers from around the world. This annual pilgrimage has been the season’s highpoint for American and international competitors who put forward their best efforts on Boston’s water-stage in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators. Since that first year, the rowers have posted over 100,000 race times and logged millions of training miles, just to get here and compete. The Regatta has outlasted the Beatles, seen bellbottoms come and go and above all stayed true to its core values: 1) Provide a safe and fair venue for all competitors, 2) Cooperate with our Cambridge and Boston neighborhoods and 3) Be a fun event to watch and produce.
During the 1970’s the Regatta began to shed its early purpose as a local scullers and Harvard sweep-oar event. The dramatic rise in women’s rowing, due to Title IX, brought about an explosion of rowing on college campuses all over the country. The Crews descended on Boston in droves, bringing with them an equal enthusiasm for the social aspects of the sport. In 1986 the Regatta event was, in essence, the last of America’s largest cocktail parties. However, the local Cambridge and Boston communities asked for reform and with it, came a focus on a family-friendly event. In 1989, just weeks before the Berlin Wall fell, the National Team from Lithuania competed as an independent nation before the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. In 1990, the Regatta took on its first corporate sponsorship partner, BayBank. Over the past 15 years, the management of the event has become truly professional.
And, while the Regatta has maintained its core values, it has also sought to be innovative, introducing new elements of improvement every season. The efforts of hundreds of hardworking volunteers have continued to hone, tweak and morph the Regatta through change every year,hopefully for the better.
This year, changes include a move from the customary (and legendary) downstream sited Magazine Beach launching area to location adjacent to the Eliot Bridge and the Finish Line. “Row-a-Paloozza” the Regatta’s first foray into musical production will be staged this year at Weeks Footbridge. On Saturday, spectators will be treated to live musical entertainment with 5 bands playing throughout the afternoon. On Sunday afternoon, rising Rock Sensation Gavin DeGraw will perform.
The 2004 Olympics were the pinnacle for American Men’s and Womens’s rowers as they won Gold and Silver Medals in the 8’s events. In recognition of that tremendous accomplishment the two 8’s will be celebrated Saturday afternoon in a ceremonial “Row by on the course” to commemorate and honor this incredible achievement, beginning at 2:30pm.
Come celebrate in Boston on the 23rd and 24th. See you at the Starting Line. Don’t be late.
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