Although the Eurogames Stockholm website is still "under construction," it isn't too early to offer your ideas for a fun and competitive format.

We would love to hear your preferences for age and boat categories. Want to see a longer course? Should the event just offer one boat category? Should it just be a 'fun' recreational row?

Now is your chance to add your input on what you think would make the most sense for a rowing event!

We would like to develop input from the GLRF community on all aspects of the general Washington rowing bid: cost to participate, site location, entry categories, event categories, and projected length of the regatta.

The DC Strokes Rowing Club prepared the bid on behalf of the Washington DC bidding organization. So they have a tremendous amount of experience in organizing a regatta and an extensive knowledge of all local rowing venues. The decision to select the Potomac river as the rowing venue as opposed to the Anacostia river came from two pressure points: the first is that the Anacostia boathouse is scheduled for demolition and the Strokes may be homeless for a time, and second, as is usual in the politics of the Gay Games, the Washington bidding organizers put a tremendous amount of pressure on the Strokes to host the regatta on the Potomac for 'show and glory' purposes.

The one alternate location which from a purely rowing perspective may be a better venue, is the Occoquan Reservoir. [location]

The disadvantages to hosting a regatta at the reservoir are the distance outside Washington, approximately 35 minutes, and the park fees can be hefty for hosting a regatta. DC Strokes prez Jason Beagle indicated they have a letter of agreement with George Washington University to use the concrete buoy holders for their course in the Potomac so that would ensure the course in the Potomac is well buoyed. The main disadvantages are the river current, the possibility of debris in the water from recent storms, and in a minor way, the lack of hand held starts.

Obviously the Boston rowing bid was presented by a non-rower. The venue is listed as the Weld Boathouse and the course 'halfway up the Head of The Charles' course. In talks with Boston and Massachusetts rowers, they have suggested that the only location for a sprint course in Boston would either be near the powerhouse stretch (with an accommodation for maybe four lanes), and the main basin. Many rowers have opined that hosting a 1k or a 2k course in the main basin would be a disaster due to the winds, waves, and large boat traffic.

The only suggestion for an alternate site would be to use the established, world class course on Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester, west of Boston. [location] driving time is estimated at 50 minutes.

The big advantages to hosting a Boston Gay Games rowing event here: seasoned volunteers, a ready made course, and an established rowing club to host the event (if they would consent).

We would like to develop input from the GLRF community on all aspects of the general Cleveland rowing bid: cost to participate, site location, entry categories, event categories, and projected length of the regatta.

The biggest concern that we have identified is the 'full frontal' exposure to Lake Erie. In conversations with rowers over the summer at GLRF booths, rowers remarked that a regatta at the proposed Whiskey Island would be disastrous due to the winds and waves. They suggested an alternate location, Lake Milton. [location]

We emailed the Head coach of St. Ignatius Crew, a juniors team, who has rowed on Lake Milton. He endorsed Lake Milton and also suggested the Portages Lakes. [location] Portages Lakes Rowing Association Here is the email and the response:

Dear Brian,

Thanks for your email. Whiskey Island would be a great location, however the weather is so unpredictable that there is better than 50% chance that

the course would be unrowable for your intended use.

 

Lake Milton was heavenly for us. Good water, great sightlines. Plenty of opens stretches to race on.

 

Another possibility is the Portage Lakes. The Portage Lake rowing association is actively using the lake frequently for rowing.

 

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

 

Regards,

Matt

 

Matthew J. Previts, '97

Head Coach

St. Ignatius H.S. Crew

mprevits@ignatiuscrew.com

216-789-2139

 

"Pursue Excellence, Nothing Else is Worth Your Time."

 

 

On Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 4:19 PM, Matthew Previts wrote:

 

[Cacher les citations]

 

Dear Coach Previts,

 

I found your name and contact information after a google search of rowing and Lake Milton returned blog entries from St. Ignatius Crew.

 

As executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Rowing Federation, part of my job is to act as a lobbyist. An organization in Cleveland is bidding for the

2014 Gay Games, a multi-sport event that will include rowing. In their bid, they present a site location for rowing at Whiskey Island at the mouth of

the Cuyahoga River.

 

In talks with rowers at NW Regionals and at the Club Nationals, I have been told in no uncertain terms that a regatta cited at Whiskey Island would be a

disaster due to the exposure to Lake Erie. Several people suggested Lake Milton as a possible alternative.

 

Would you recommend Lake Milton for a 6-lane, 1k sprint course? Are there any other venues that might be an option?

 

Thank you in advance for any thoughts.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Todd

 

--

The GLRF Vision:

The seamless integration of gay and lesbian rowers within the broader

rowing community.

http://www.GLRF.info

Although both venues are a ways outside of Cleveland, that is the burden most rowers must endure. The immediate advantage to Portage Lakes is the existence of a local rowing club who could host the regatta (if they consent). The advantage to Lake Milton could be the water and/or course layout.