RegattaCentral

General

The regatta used to take place in early June. Why did you move it to later in the summer?
Unfortunately, the weather in early June in the Tahoe Basin is just too unpredictable, with a high potential for unrowable conditions. In fact, it can even snow here in June! The 2018 and 2019 regattas were both canceled due to inclement weather. The 2017 regatta was almost canceled for the same reason, with a storm causing very bad lake conditions right up until the afternoon before the race.

The regatta’s location further complicates matters, as even a light wind from the south or southwest (the prevailing direction in late spring and early summer) can cause big rolling waves on the north shore.

However, late summer and early fall bring much calmer conditions with lighter winds and no potential for storms. Yes, power boat traffic is heavier, and there is obviously potential for wildfires, but at least the weather should cooperate. Assuming it does (and we don’t have bad fires), the rowing conditions should be magnificent.

Wait, wildfires?
Perhaps you haven’t been paying attention to the news. Hey, at least we don’t get tsunamis.

What happens if there’s a wildfire?
The more likely scenario is poor air quality due to wildfires elsewhere in the West. If air quality is unhealthy, the event will be canceled. A preliminary decision will be made on the Thursday before the regatta; a final decision will be made at 5:00pm PDT the night before.

Why isn’t there a pasta dinner the night before or a bbq after the regatta? Didn’t you do that in the past?
Yes, this was done in years past. But those were pre-pandemic years. While we were confident we’d be able to have the regatta itself this year (as an outdoor, well-distanced sporting event), we were not at all confident that the state of California would be open enough to permit a large dining event, especially one indoors. The venues we spoke with when we scheduled the regatta were not willing to plan anything.

Put another way, we’re lucky just to have a regatta this year. In the future we hope to bring back pre- and post-race gatherings, but this year we have to do without.

All is not lost, however. First, we will be hosting a pre-race briefing at the Tahoe Yacht Club at 7:00pm PDT on August 7th. The bar will be open with a bartender on staff, so you can get well lubricated before you wake up early Sunday to row 10 miles. Fun, right?

In addition, concessions will be available nearby at the Ta-Hoe Nalu Paddle Festival. We encourage you to head over there on Saturday and Sunday after the race to see the paddle races and hang out in the beer garden.

Why is the regatta on a Sunday?
Why not? This way you get an extra day to acclimate to the high elevation and, perhaps, take a practice run on the course. It also makes things easier on the organizers, as we have all day Saturday to get ready.

Acclimate?
The air is thinner at high elevation. 10 miles at 6,225 feet above sea level is going to feel like 15 miles at sea level.

What should I do to acclimate?
Three things:

1. Get in shape. The better your cardiovascular conditioning, the easier it will be for you to adapt.
2. DRINK WATER. Lots of it. The air is very dry at Lake Tahoe, so start hydrating as soon as you arrive.
3. Arrive early. The more days of training you can do at high elevation before the regatta, the better you’ll feel.

Can I practice the course before the regatta?
You are welcome to row on Lake Tahoe anytime you'd like. Full course information, including compass headings and GPS waypoints, may be found on the Venue page. Please note that we will not provide any rower support before or after the regatta - if you practice the course, you do so unsupported and at your own risk.

We do plan to place one (1) of the course markers along the shore the Saturday before the regatta. If you'd like to scope out the course, we recommend rowing west along the shoreline - essentially following the second and third legs backwards, and avoiding the long first leg across open water.

I'm not rowing, but I like boats and seeing other people suffer. Where can I watch?
If you have access to a kayak or SUP, that's going to be your best bet. Most of the race course is pretty far offshore. The start/finish is about 200m off Kings Beach and the two turns are 100m or so from shore at Dollar Point and Ridgewood. Those are the three closest points to land, and all of the shoreline between Dollar Point and Ridgewood (the leg of the course closest to land) is private, so the best views are going to be from the water.

A motorboat or (gasp!) jet ski are possibilities as well, but please NO WAKES and KEEP YOUR DISTANCE. The only thing worse than getting waked by an inconsiderate powerboat driver when you're in a 14-inch-wide boat with 4 inches of freeboard is getting run over by a jet ski.

Entry/Course Rules and Safety

What safety equipment is required?
Regardless of which course they are rowing, all boats must carry a US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each rower. PFDs do not have be worn, but they must be present on the boat. In addition, each boat must carry one (1) noise maker (either a whistle or an air horn).

In addition, all boats on the Long Course must be built to an open water or coastal specification, including a closed/sealed self-bailing hull and positive flotation. Flat water shells lacking these features will not be permitted on the Long Course.

What kinds of boats are allowed on the Long Course?
Only boats specifically designed for open water or Coastal conditions are permitted to row the Long Course. Flat water shells are not permitted on the Long Course.

Can I row a racing (flat water) shell on the Long Course?
No.

What if I stuff my flatwater shell with flotation? Can I row it on the Long Course then?
No.

If I just show up with my flat water boat and attempt to row it on the Long Course, will anyone stop me?
Yes. All boats must clear a pre-launch safety check prior to being allowed to depart the beach. Boats that are not designed for open water or coastal conditions will not be permitted to race the Long Course.

But I’m a very experienced rower!
Great, but your boat is not appropriate for open water conditions. Row the Short Course or choose a different regatta.

But I take full responsibility for myself if something goes wrong.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. We can not permit you to participate in the Long Course event if your equipment doesn’t meet the required specifications.

BUT I WANT TO ROW THE LONG COURSE!
I want a gold-plated toilet, but it’s just not in the cards. If you get access to an open water or coastal shell, you are welcome to row it on the Long Course. Otherwise, your only option is the Short Course.

Are there junior and/or scholastic events?
Unfortunately not. We hope to add events for youth/scholastic rowers in the future, but the regatta is currently limited to masters rowers.

Besides the required equipment and acclimation to the elevation, is there anything else I should do for safety?
Bring water in the boat with you during the race. It's a long race and the air is very dry here (see commments above about acclimating). The race officials will have extra water in their launches, but we strongly recommend bringing some with you.

It would also be a good idea to bring a snack in the boat with you. You'll be out there for a long time, and might need a quick break to refuel.

And wear sunscreen. The sun is strong up here. UV intensity incrases 8-10% for every 1,000 of elevation gain, so even if the air temperature isn't that high, you will still burn much faster than you would at sea level.
 

Equipment Availability

Can I rent a boat?
No, there are no boats available to rent.

Will boat storage racks be available at the venue?
No. Please bring your own slings.

Travel and Accommodations

Where should I stay?
That’s a tough one. Tahoe is pretty popular in the summer, and hotels book up early. If you can assemble a larger group of people, renting a big house on AirBNB or VRBO is a great option. Vacation rentals also book up early, but the bigger the house (and, therefore, the higher the price), the less competition you’ll have.

By the way, if you do go the AirBNB route, please (please, please, please) behave yourself and be respectful of the neighbors. Too many rude and unruly vacation renters have destroyed local sentiment toward tourists. The last thing we need is complaints about “those North Tahoe Regatta people.” Keep it down, don’t use charcoal or fireworks, clean up after yourself, and be Bear Aware.

The regatta venue, the Crown Motel, might have rooms available that weekend, subject to a 2-night minimum.

As a last resort, try staying in South Reno and driving up the morning of the race. It’s roughly a 40-minute drive over Mount Rose to Kings Beach.

Where can I load/unload boats?
See the Venue page for more information and maps.

Where can I park?
See the Venue page for more information and maps.