The regatta is the name for the rowing race in which our athletes compete. A regatta involves a large number of rowers, families, and spectators from different clubs across the east coast (or the entire country.)  These are usually overnight experiences for novice and varsity athletes where the team travels on a bus together stays in a hotel and participates as part of the team whether rowing, coxing, rigging, supporting other boats, or maintaining boats for two to three days.

The culmination of all the team’s hard work is the regatta. This is the time for each athlete to test his or her progress and skills learned throughout the season. TRC coaches assume that all members of the team are attending all scheduled regattas unless they receive written (email okay) notice that a rower will miss a race. High school rowers are encouraged to check SAT/ACT dates at the beginning of each season and let coaches know if they cannot attend scheduled regattas.

SPRING REGATTA SCHEDULE:
 

Regattas we attend during the spring season.  Note that a subset of all high school crews may be selected for some events.

NOTE: Coaches may make changes to the regatta/competition schedule.

USROwing - Insurance and Event Sanctioning

USRowing is the governing body for our rowing events. A USRowing membership (and waiver form completion) is required in order to participate in regattas. 

All TRC athletes need to be a member of USRowing.  Middle School athletes just need a Basic membership.  High School athletes who participate in USRowing-run regattas (Southeast Regionals,  Nationals) need a Championship membership.

Basic membership gives you general liability and eligibility to participate in USRowing-sanctioned regattas (i.e. local or community regattas not hosted by USRowing staff). This is recommended for middle school athletes.

Championship membership gives you general liability, excess accidental coverage, AND eligibility to participate in USRowing sanctioned and hosted regattas (like USRowing Southeast Regionals and USRowing Youth Nationals).  This is recommended for high school athletes.

Go to USRowing for more information and to become a member.

Excused Absence Forms

Travel and pre-race practice for regattas often require athletes to miss one or more days of school.  These absences are typically treated as excused (educational) absences, but most schools require submitting the appropriate form to the school's attendance office - IN ADVANCE.  Check with your rower's school for specific requirements because some schools/school districts may have different rules!

Here is a link to the North Carolina Request For Excused Absence Form (used by Wake County):

North Carolina Request For Excused Absence Form

Racing Lineups

The regatta experience is a unique one. Competing is an important part of this experience- as is boat rigging, equipment hauling, and racer/teammate support. TRC makes every effort for eligible athletes in good status to compete in all regattas.

To be in “good status” with TRC:

• Athletes must attend practices/TRC activities
• All dues and fees are paid by the deadline dates
• Guardians and athletes must have attended all required / mandatory meetings (or made arrangements with coaches or with the TRC board)

Boat lineup decisions are based on several factors including, but not limited to; practice erg scores, technique, height/weight, coachability, and attendance. Coaching decisions will be supported by the team.

Transportation and travel

Transportation is decided and announced when regattas are planned. For nearby regattas, athletes are expected to travel with their families.  For long-distance regatta destinations, athletes travel as a team via TRC-arranged transportation, with exceptions for unusual circumstances (Head of the Charles, US Nationals).

Nearby, one-day regattas

Families provide transportation to and from nearby, one-day regattas (like those in High Point, NC).  Coaches will provide instructions on when athletes must arrive at the venue.  There are lots of tasks that must be performed before racing begins, so being on time is imperative.

Long-distance regattas

Long-distance regatta transportation is via charter bus. Athletes are not permitted to drive themselves. We attempt to plan transportation outside of school activities. Typically, after-school departure is arranged, but at times, due to travel distance, it is unavoidable to travel during school hours. 

Often, the return is late on Saturday or Sunday night. All team members are expected to remain with the team for the duration of the trip unless prior arrangements have been made with the coaches. All members are expected to assist with emptying the bus of ALL personal AND team belongings at the end of the trip, regardless of arrival time.

The departure/arrival site is the Bass Pro Shop parking lot on Harrison Avenue in Cary, NC.   Cars may be left overnight if needed; however, TRC does not take responsibility for any damages or losses while cars are left overnight in the parking lot.  Arrival time estimates will be updated by email or text during the return trip. 

• Travel as a team
• Athletes cannot drive themselves
• Departure meeting point

Bass Pro Shops
801 Bass Pro Ln
Cary, NC 27513

Family behavior at regattas 

During the regatta, families can contribute to their rowers' race mentality by allowing them to adhere to the team schedule and coaches’ demands. For instance, if the coach needs athletes at the trailer, s/he needs them focused on the task at hand (e.g. rigging boats, warming up, transporting oars, etc.). Families can help by understanding their athlete has an obligation to the team at all times, even after the regatta has ended, up until all boats are de-rigged and loaded onto the trailer. 
 
For safety reasons, families are asked to remain in the spectator areas and avoid the trailer or boat ramp areas. Race and team officials like to keep these areas clear to facilitate the changing and loading of boats before and after races.
 
Food on regatta day is facilitated through family donations of snack foods and volunteer time to cook and prepare food for athletes on-site or serve catered meals for dinner at the hotel. The Snack Coordinator will publish a signup link where families are asked to donate snacks/drinks.  The Volunteer Coordinator will publish a signup link where volunteers will be able to sign up to cook and/or serve athletes at the tent and/or team hotel (along with all the other important volunteer roles that must be filled at regattas!)

Each athlete is allowed two travel bags. The first one is a bag/backpack with belongings needed for the bus ride and immediately upon arrival (If practicing before checking into the hotel, include gear in this bag).

The second is a bag for items not needed until hotel arrival. This bag will be stowed and inaccessible during travel. PLEASE LABEL ALL ITEMS!

Athletes (and parents too), here is some helpful information about what to bring when packing for Regattas!