The Community Challenge regatta is the culmination of the Community Challenge program. The program is intended for new rowers and existing recreational rowers, especially those who do not row regularly. New rowers are taught the basics of rowing and existing rowers develop their rowing technique. All rowers learn the basics of racing. The Community Challenge regatta gives the rowers a chance to put their new racing skills to the test in a fun regatta over a 500 metre sprint course. Prizes are awarded to the top team of novice rowers and the top team of experienced rowers.
Rowers from other clubs are welcome and encouraged to participate. The emphasis is on fun rather than serious competition. This regatta is best suited for rowers who normally don't compete in regattas. Typical participants will be:
- novice to intermediate rowers
- recreational rowers
- graduates of a learn to row program
Course
Races are conducted on a 500 metre course offshore from Panorama Park. The course is not buoyed. There is room to race 4 or 5 boats abreast, but only 2 or 3 boats race at any one time.
Races
All racing is done in quad sculls. There are no singles or doubles. There are no sweep boats.
Rowers enter as teams of 4 - 6 male and/or female rowers. The 1 or 2 extra rowers can rotate in to replace tired rowers between races. For each race, there must be at least one female in the crew.
Each race is between 2 or 3 teams.
Starting in 2017, a simple handicapping scheme is being introduced. Handicapping will adjust scores based on age and gender.
The regatta is structured as a double-elimination tournament with a winners bracket and a repechage bracket. If a team keeps winning, they progress through the winners bracket until they are the only team remaining in the bracket. As soon as a team loses for the first time, they drop into the repechage bracket. Winners in the repechage bracket progress until they are the only team remaining in the bracket. The winners of the winners and repechage brackets race each other. As soon as a team loses for a second time, they are eliminated from the regatta. Each team is guaranteed at least two races. Some restructuring of the races and brackets may be necessary depending on the number of teams entered. If there are a large number of entries from other clubs, it may be necessary to restructure the tournament brackets so that more than 2 boats are racing at a time. Prizes are awarded to the top novice team and the top experienced team based on final standing in the two brackets.
All boats are launched from the beach in Panorama Park. Boats return to the beach after a race.
Races are conducted under the Rowing Canada rules of racing. Rowing Canada umpires will officiate if there are three or more visitor clubs participating.
Registration
All teams participating in the Community Challenge program are automatically entered. Their regatta fees are covered by the program fees.
Other clubs wishing to enter teams should contact our head coach at info@deepcoverowingclub.com or 604-929-4510. The entry fee is $20 per rower. This includes a Rowing BC fee.
Equipment
The quad sculls are normally supplied by the Deep Cove Rowing Club. All sculls are placed in a pool that is drawn from for each race. Sculls are not assigned to teams.
Depending on the number of teams entered from visiting clubs, visiting clubs may be asked to supply a few quad sculls for the pool to ensure that there are not large delays between races.
Venue
The regatta is held at Panorama Park in Deep Cove. There is lots of room for family and friends to watch the racing. Rowers race directly towards the park. The finish line is just offshore.
The regatta is held in the morning. We are usually finished by early afternoon. There are lots of cafes and restaurants nearby. There are washrooms with showers in the park.
A first aid service will be present in case of an injury.
Weather
Click above to access detailed weather including an hourly forecast.
Volunteers
Regattas are only possible due to the efforts of numerous volunteers. If you have some spare time, we would appreciate your help. Contact our head coach at info@deepcoverowingclub.com or 604-929-4510. We will provide any necessary training.