TO THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE VILLAGE TO VILLAGE ROWING CHALLENGE

Those of you who have participated in the Village to Village Challenge will be disappointed to learn that we feel the need to cancel this year’s Challenge.   The organizers regret having to make this decision - we hope it is only a one year hiatus – but it is necessitated by the difficulty in safely getting boats on and off the water.  In past years we were able to borrow docks from Genesee Waterways Center in Rochester but their programing makes it impossible for them to loan us those docks this year.

On a positive note for the Challenge and the rowing community in general, the folks in the village of Brockport are actively fundraising to purchase docks.  This would allow us to resume the 12K race on the historic Erie Canal from the village of Spencerport NY to the village of Brockport NY.  This might also allow us to expand our regatta to add 4+, 4x, and possibly eights. 

Those who have participated the Challenge in the past will vouch for the fact that this is indeed a unique regatta, running through rural upstate New York with a great canal fest at the finish. Food venders, craft-beer brewers and a string band playing canal songs are just some of the attractions that help us celebrate the Erie Canal, and the picturesque canal villages of Spencerport and our host village, Brockport NY.

For those who accept the Challenge in the future, this is a unique regatta that helps us celebrate our sport of rowing, the opening of the spring season and the Erie Canal, one of the greatest rowing venues in the country.

Hope to see you next year.

John Bernfield

Row in the 2015 Village to Village Challenge on the historic ERIE CANAL, Upstate New York...a colorful fun spring time destination. Race from the Village of Spencerport to the Village of Brockport, NY

DISTANCE - 12 K

SUNDAY, May 17, 2015

This is a unique head race for small boats. The Start is in the Village of Spencerport; Finish is in the Village of Brockport. The course is approximately 12 kilometers of picturesque landscape on the historic ERIE CANAL.  There is a wide canal path along the entire north bank of the canal for visitors to run, ride or walk along during the race. There are 4 lift bridges associated with the row; Union St liftbridge is just east of the Start line which is the staging area, Washington St lift bridge is in Adams Basin, Park Av lift bridge is as you enter Brockport and Main St lift bridge is just past the Finish line. 

SPENCERPORT DEPO & CANAL MUSEUM

16 EAST AVE, SPENCERPORT, NY 14559

The WELCOME CENTER in Brockport

49 STATE ST, BROCKPORT, NY 14420

The Village to Village Challenge is a Signature Event of the Brockport Low Bridge High Water celebration of the opening of the Erie Canal. More to come...