Regatta Watching 101

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Welcome to the world of rowing!

So your son or daughter has decided to join the rowing crew. Now that you're the parent of a rower, you may have many questions about rowing. Hopefully, these pages will help you to learn about the sport of rowing. Refer to the definitions section in this packet to learn about the new words or phrases you may be hearing around your home. (If you're son or daughter announces they caught a crab at practice, it doesn't mean you'll be having seafood for dinner tonight!) The lessons learned in rowing are Life's lessons: discipline, teamwork, work ethics, and goal setting

Packing for Regattas

Here are some suggestions of items your rower may want to pack for regattas. Mark all items for easy identification.

1 Be sure the coaches are aware of any medical Conditions or medication your son or daughter may have.

2 Depending on the travel times, crewmembers may need to bring a sack lunch or money to purchase their meals.  

Day Regattas

• Water
• Snacks (Fruit, graham crackers, gum, licorice, etc.)
• Disposable camera (There's always plenty of photo ops!)
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Chap stick w/sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Extra change of clothes
• Sandals (Sometimes crews have to wade in to launch boats.)
• Jacket or sweatshirt
• Sweatpants
• Tape or CD player
• Regatta T-shirt money (usually about $15 - $20)

Weekend Regattas (Pack the above items along with these:)

• Sleeping bag
• Pillow
• Toiletries
• Phone card (to let you know how the races went)

Spectators' Packing Suggestions  

Here are some suggestions of items that may want to pack when watching a regatta:

• Water
• Snacks
• Camera
• Binoculars
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Chap stick w/sunscreen
• Rain gear
• Jacket or sweatshirt
• Folding chair
• Blanket

Helpful tips:  

• Dress in layers. The mornings may be chilly, but by afternoon the day could heat up. In the event of rain, anticipate mud (and plenty of it).
• Pick up an event schedule at the course, and you'll know when the crew is racing.
• Food concessions are not always available at regattas, or the selection may be limited. You may want to pack a picnic lunch/dinner.  
• Between events, stop by the crew tent to help with meals or visit with the crew.
• Sometimes vendors are at the regattas selling rowing-related items: clothing, hats, and jewelry. This is a great time to do a little Christmas or birthday shopping.
• Learn the lingo. Check out our pages about 'regatta watching': then when someone calls out "heads up" you won't get hit in the head with a boat!