RegattaCentral

Record Breaking Registrations at the Cow Island Classic Regatta/Maine State Rowing Championships

Brunswick, Maine— Mike Totta, organizer for the Cow Island Classic knew this year would be big, but he didn’t know how big until this past Monday when registrations closed for the 16th annual Cow Island Classic rowing regatta. Sixty one boats will arrive in Brunswick this Saturday from fourteen clubs as close as the Merrymeeting Community Rowing Association (MCRA), that rows regularly on the Androscoggin where the race will be held, to as far away as Malta Boat Club in Philadelphia. What’s different? The Cow Island Classic has an earlier date during the summer race season and a new affiliation as the Maine State Championship.

“This is one of the largest regatta ever held in Maine - we have some great racers coming!” says Totta who in addition to being the race organizer is also a rower and a Maine Rowing Association and MCRA Board Member. “I am particularly pleased with the men's single event - we have some of the fastest masters guys in New England participating this Saturday.”

The Cow Island Classic/Maine State Championship Regatta, held on the Androscoggin River this Saturday, July 30th includes two major events. The first is a 5K race course that takes rowers down on the Brunswick side of the river, around Cow Island and back to a finish at the Water Street boat ramp. The second is a 1K sprint that begins about a ½ mile down the walking path and finishes at the boat ramp. The rower who participates in and wins both events is the Maine State Champion.

Spectators don’t have to wait for the Olympic games in Rio to see great rowing. All are welcomed to watch the races, which will feature a variety of different boat classes in two major categories. Sweep rowers hold one oar each, and scullers hold two oars. Bring a bike and follow the rowers down the course.

Says Merrymeeting Community Rowing Association president, Scott Bailey, “MCRA is grateful to have a wonderful working partnership with the Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department. Over the last years we’ve helped to fund the dock and provide new programming for local youth. We hope that the regatta furthers our mission of education and provides the community with an economic boost and some great racing.”

Sponsors for the event include Camden National Bank, Bath Savings, Freeport Metrics, OA Centers for Orthopaedics, Concept 2, Sonnet Psychological, and ScullingGear.com. All Sports Events Timing and Event Services from Rumford will provide professional timing.

Merrymeeting Community Rowing Association is a 501c(3) organization with a mission to provide instruction in the sport of both sweep rowing and sculling to youths and adults in the Brunswick, Maine area. Registration for August classes is available at RegattaCentral.com. For more information please visit http://rowbrunswick.org, or contact Program Director and Head Coach, Anna Jordan at programs@rowbrunswick.org.