To all PRC parents, families and athletes:
This upcoming weekend, May 10-11, the Pacific Rowing Club will be competing in the Southwest Junior Rowing Association Championship Regatta, to be held at the beautiful Lake Natoma race course in Rancho Cordova, California, just 15 miles east of Sacramento off U.S. Highway 50. This regatta is the premier event for the SWJRA, comprised of 33 clubs representing the states of Utah, California and Arizona, and is also a qualifying regatta for USRowing National Youth Championship Regatta held in Cincinnati, Ohio. All novice rowers will finish their season at this event, while the varsity rowers will attempt to qualify select boats for the National Championships held in June. If you've never been to a regatta in our region, then this is the one to attend!
Pacific rowers are entered in the following events for this weekend. Boats with an (*) can qualify for the Youth National Championships if they place 1st, 2nd or 3rd in the Grand Finals of that event this weekend:
Men
MV8*
MJV8
MLWT8*
MN8A
MN8B
MN8C
MF8
MV4*
MJV4
ML4*
MN4
MF4
M2X*
Women
WV8*
WJV8
WN8A
WN8B
WF8
WV4*
WJV4
WL4*
WF4
WN4
W2X*
GENERAL INFORMATION:
For general information, maps of the race course, race schedule, parking instructions, etc., please visit the California State University at Sacramento Aquatic Center website at: www.csusaquaticcenter.com and click on the "SWJRA REGATTA" link. As the CSUS Aquatic Center will be extremely busy hosting this regatta, please avoid calling them--read their regatta web pages first!
PRC ATHLETE SUPERVISION:
All PRC athletes will be under strict supervision during the entire weekend, as the racing schedule will be long on both days. Coaches will be very busy attending meetings, rigging boats, holding pre-race talks, launching and landing crews, reviewing results, etc. all while supervising their athletes. Our parents will busy with supporting activities for the athletes, primarily in hospitality and transportation, not to mention cheering on all our boats. If you would like to offer your services, please contact our Parent Committee President Janet Nedeau or Team Secretary Marica Lake--they would be happy to talk with you!
RACE COURSE & SPECTATING:
The race course at Lake Natoma will offer tents for all teams, located in the final 300 meters of the race course right along the water's edge. It is a fantastic viewing venue for all spectators! Vendors will also be present selling rower apparel, food and other items. There are bike paths on both sides of the race course, with viewing opportunities on a bluff above the starting line platforms just off the bike path. Bring your bike to do a little exploring, and in your free time, you can visit beautiful and historic downtown Folsom is nearby with shopping and dining options. There is also a new light rail line with a stop located nearby that allows travel to both our motel on Sunrise Blvd., or to go visit nearby downtown Folsom. The cost is $2 per ride.
PARKING:
SPECIAL NOTE: For all non-athletes, there is an admission fee of $5.00 per person, per day, AND a vehicle parking fee of $7.00 per day. This fee is collected by employees of the California State Parks, as Lake Natoma and the Nimbus Flats viewing area are a part of the State park system. Please bring cash to cover this fee. Rangers and police will be present throughout the weekend to enforce all parking regulations. Please, no glass bottles or unleashed dogs within the park! This is enforced!
WEATHER:
It is expected to be warm this weekend--temperatures are predicted to be in the mid-80's. Please bring sunscreen, hats, light clothing and plenty of fluids to remain safe and cool in this weather. And watch out for rattlesnakes--no kidding!
Please note that this regatta is a 3-day event for all PRC athletes. Chartered buses will transport our rowers on Friday morning @ 9 am to Lake Natoma, and all athletes will be housed on Friday and Saturday nights at the "Holiday Inn-Venetian Court" motel. All rowers will remain together with their squads and coaches throughout the weekend, including during all morning and evening dining hours. At the conclusion of the regatta, AT THE END OF ALL COACHING DISCUSSIONS, AND AFTER THE TRAILER HAS BEEN FULLY LOADED, PRC athletes will be released for parental carpool rides home.
It has been a great season for Pacific, with all squads experiencing success at various regattas. Our athletes have worked very hard to produce the fastest boats possible, and we are all very proud of them. I look forward to seeing all you at this great regatta to cheer on our boats, and please join me in wishing all our boats good luck, fast racing and winning times!
We'll see you this weekend!
Sincerely,
Bob Maclean
Head Coach
Pacific Rowing Club
P.R.C. ATHLETE ITINERARY--S.W.J.R.A. CHAMPIONSHIPS
THURSDAY, MAY 8
11 AM PRC trailer departs for Lake Natoma
FRIDAY, MAY 9
8:30 am All PRC athletes meet at PRC boathouse
9:00 am Buses with all PRC athletes depart for Lake Natoma w/ coaches Marlene, Ryan, Elisabeth and Will
11:00 am Buses arrive @ Lake Natoma
11-1 pm Athletes immediately rig all equipment
1-5 pm Race course open for practice--all PRC boats row over course.
5-7 pm Pasta dinner @ race course (PRC tent area)
7-8 pm PRC athletes take shuttle to motel
8-9 pm PRC boat talks w/ coaches
9 pm All athletes in bed--lights out.
SATURDAY, MAY 10
5 am PRC athletes awake, shower
5:30 am Breakfast
6-7 am First boats/athletes catch bus to race course
8 am Racing begins
5-7 pm Pasta dinner begins
7 pm Racing ends
7-8 pm Athletes shuttle to motel
8-9 pm Boat talks w/ coaches
9 pm All athletes in bed--lights out.
SUNDAY, MAY 11
5 am PRC athletes awake, shower
5:30 am Breakfast
6 am First shuttle to race course
8 am Racing begins
6 pm Racing ends
7 pm Trailer loading/awards concluded--expected departure for S.F.
Special note: Monday May 12 is "off"--all boats and equipment will be unloaded from the trailer on Tuesday afternoon, May 13 @ PRC.
PHOTO DAY @ PACIFIC!
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14th 4-6:30 pm--Mark your calendars!
Official Pacific Rowing Club "Team Photo Day" w/ "YARY PHOTOGRAPHY"--all PRC athletes must attend, in full racing gear. Bring check or cash for photo payment, made out to "Yary Photography". Official YARY PHOTOGRAPHY ordering envelopes will be distributed to all rowers this week.