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PVRC prepares for annual riverfront race
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The Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC) is organizing the Fourth Annual Springfield Riverfront Head Race Regatta on Sept. 6. This celebration of the river and the sport of rowing takes place in the midst of quite a successful season for the PVRC.
Rowers of all abilities from around the Northeast will converge on the Connecticut River for the competition. The rowing disciplines will be similar to those seen in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, but the formats of the races and speeds traveled will be somewhat different.
The 4th Annual Regatta begins just north of the Memorial Bridge (in Springfield), progresses south (downstream), and finishes below the South End bridge (in Longmeadow). The boats will race "head race style" (single file) for three miles, with elapsed times compared after all boats complete the event.
Most boats will take 18-30 minutes to complete the course. Racing will take place between 8:30 a.m. and noon. The best viewing of the race from land is likely from the riverfront bike paths in Agawam and Springfield (including Riverfront Park) as well as the southern sidewalk of the Memorial Bridge.
Anyone interested in viewing from boats should anticipate arriving by 7:45 a.m. and waiting at anchor until racing is complete.
The PVRC's mission involves making the riverfront and sport of rowing more accessible to residents of Greater Springfield. Other events that PVRC organizes include a seasonal kick-off with a Learn To Row Day in June and a River Clean-Up in conjunction with the Connecticut River Watershed Council which is scheduled for Oct. 4.
The PVRC and Regatta organizers have many terrific volunteers to thank for their extraordinary efforts this year.
Tax deductible donations to PVRC's community initiatives can be made payable to "PVRC." Mail to PVRC, PO Box 60762, Longmeadow, MA 01116.
For more information about PVRC go to www.pvrowing.com.
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