USRowing has announced the cancellation of the National Championship and Masters National Championship Regattas that were to be held in July and August, noting in the release that "With this announcement, all USRowing-owned regattas (with the exception of virtual events) for the year have been canceled."
Only a few regattas remain on the summer racing schedule at this point; the Canadian Henley, often the summer-ending regatta for many athletes and clubs, will make a final decision on the event by June 1.
The full release can be read at USRowing Announces Cancellation of 2020 National Championship and Masters National Championship Regattas, or in full below.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, USRowing is announcing the cancellation of both the 2020 USRowing National Championships scheduled for July in Camden County, N.J., and the 2020 USRowing Masters National Championships, originally scheduled for August.
Between the phased approach laid out in the Opening of America Again protocols, social distancing requirements, recommendations regarding team boat participation and mass gathering event planning, limited training options, travel considerations and the national scope of these events, USRowing has decided that there is no way to run safe, fair and representative national championship regattas this summer.
While we understand that this decision is disappointing, our first priority is the health and well-being of our athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, regatta organizers, local organizing committees and our communities at large.
USRowing is exploring virtual options, including live virtual races, for these two events and will post additional information on these events soon.
With this announcement, all USRowing-owned regattas (with the exception of virtual events) for the year have been canceled. USRowing will be publishing "Re-opening the Boathouse and Return to Training" guidance by Monday. Guidance regarding Registered Regattas and other events will be released later next week.
We are looking forward to having a complete regatta schedule in 2021 and will be announcing dates of and locations for those events in a few weeks.
In the meantime, USRowing will be providing members-only webinars on a daily basis. Please check our website and social media platforms regularly for a list of upcoming webinars and additional resources.
We want to thank all of the individuals working on the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic for everything they are doing to keep us healthy and safe, and we look forward to the chance to get back on the water this summer.