RegattaCentral

Each spring rowers and spectators from around the DC area, nation, and globe gather in Washington, DC for the Stonewall Regatta, hosted by DC Strokes Rowing Club (DCSRC), the nation's first Gay & Lesbian rowing club.  Stonewall is the only regatta in North America hosted by a Gay & Lesbian rowing team.  We are proud to host our STONEWALL REGATTA XXI this year, commencing the third decade of the Stonewall Regatta.

Stonewall Regatta began in 1994 during preparations for Gay Games IV in New York City. About a year before the games, DCSRC discovered the host committtee had dropped the planned rowing event from the sport line-up. DCSRC quickly organized a regatta at the Orchard Beach Race Course in Pelham Bay State Park, site of the 1964 Olympic Rowing Trials. In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in Greenwich Village in 1969, considered the start of the gay civil rights movement, this event was named "Stonewall Regatta." The event was such a success that DCSRC decided to bring it home to Washington, DC, where it has since been held every June. Since 2004, the regatta has been held on the Anacostia River out of the Anacostia Community Boathouse. The event typically coincides with DC Pride festivities. 

The Stonewall Regatta demonstrates the commitment of DCSRC to bridging gaps between communities by building an inclusive environment and educating the public not only about rowing, but also the contributions by the GLBT community and DCSRC.  The event promotes true sportsmanship in an open and inclusive environment, created not only by the participants themselves, but also by the event sponsors and volunteers.

Stonewall does not just highlight and promote rowing in the GLBT community. The regatta also kicks off the circuit of adult sprint race competitions in the mid-Atlantic region and draws serious rowers of all stripes from throughout the area.  This year the Regatta expects to welcome roughly 500 rowers.  In the past rowers have come from the DC area as well as from Pittsburgh, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Canada, and The Netherlands. Join us as the tradition of Stonewall continues this year with our twenty-first regatta.