History, Crowds, and Yachts -Windermere Cup/Opening Day Unlike Anything Else in Rowing

During my many years in rowing, I have been fortunate enough to experience many of the top races and venues across the United States.

Despite that fact, there are some glaring holes in my rowing experience. I have not had the chance to travel to some of the most well known regattas in the country: the Crew Classic, Head of the Charles, anything on the storied Schuylkill River in Philadelphia.

This year, I got to travel to Seattle and experience the Windermere Cup/Opening Day regatta for the first time.

I had heard that this was a unique race, where UW races crews through the Montlake Cut surrounded by yachts as the lake opens to pleasure boat traffic for the season.

Unlike many things in life, this experience lived up to the hype.

Storied History

The University of Washington has one of the richest rowing histories in the country. That history has been amplified by the release of "The Boys in the Boat" bestselling book-turned-movie.

On race day, the team hosted a large reception for alumni at the Connibear Boathouse on campus. This is one of those times when being an event staff member has its perks. We were able to be in and around the boathouse, as we waited to prepare for racing.

Seeing the crowd of former UW rowers, in their home, wearing their colors, and reminiscing with old teammates was a magical sight. It reminded me of how this sport has a special way of capturing people's hearts, bringing people together, and connecting them so deeply.

I was also reminded how influential the program is throughout the rowing world. I ran into multiple people that I have had the pleasure to work with at different points in my career.

Surrounding the bustling crowd of reminiscing, reconnecting, and honoring past Huskies were the trophies of the program's legacy that fill the boathouse. Everything from plaques commemorating Olympic crews, a trophy case full of national championship hardware, all in the shadow of the "Husky Clipper", rowed by the 1936 Olympic championship crew profiled in "The Boys in the Boat".

Especially for someone who came into the sport from the humble beginnings of a couple of old Kaschper 8's sitting in a church parking lot, seeing this level of the sport is always awe-inspiring.

Crowds...For Rowing!

The race itself had all the makings of a top level sports production.

There were big name competitors, including the storied UW Huskies, fellow Big 10 program Indiana, and the customary international crew all the way from New Zealand.

The setting is unlike any other. Many of the venues that host large regattas are held on lakes often in parks outside of more familiar cities or in mid-level cities.

This race takes place in the heart of Seattle. Which, if you've never been to Seattle, it is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the nation.

The weekend begins with the "Twilight Sprints": two 500 meter races that occur in Montlake Cut. The races include the premier crews from the colleges and the international guests. For 2 races, starting at 8pm, the banks of The Cut are packed.

For how cool the Twilight Sprints are, the full Saturday event is next level.

The first 1,500 meters of the course are marked by log booms on either side that are filled with yachts tied to them. This is a celebratory day, so each of these yachts are filled with people partying for the opening of the season.

After the booms, the crews enter The Cut, where crowds fill the banks on both sides. Coming through the bridge, crews are met at the finish line by the University of Washington band and cheerleaders to match the teeming masses.

One of my favorite days every year at USRowing was finals day at Youth Nationals. This was typically the only time I'd get the chance to hear the roar of a crowd at a rowing event. I still remember the peninsula at Oak Ridge erupt as the A Final of the Mens Youth 8+ came by with Sarasota Crew in the lead to eventually win their first national championship in the event.

The Windermere Cup races coming through The Cut exceeded that experience.

Any rowing fan needs to experience the sport getting this level of attention at least once.

Boat Parade

When the racing is done, the party is just getting started.

The narrowness of The Cut does not allow the rowing shells to return to the start after they race.

So, as each race finishes, the crews have to wait past the finish line until the last race is complete.

After the Windermere Cup races are done, those winners lead the Boat Parade.

First, the mass of rowing shells row back through the cut, then detour back to the UW boathouse.

Once all of the rowing shells are through, the bridge over The Cut remains open for the afternoon, and all manner of yacht, pleasure boat, and sailboat pass through The Cut.

Windermere Cup/Opening Day is on the short list of "bucket list" experiences for any rowing fan. Not very often do we get to experience a similar level of pageantry, community interest, tradition, and spectacle for the sport we love.

Further, there are few, if any, places that could bring all of these elements together.

Do yourself a favor...start tracking flight prices now to get to Seattle the first weekend of May next year!

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