5/21/2007

Event to Help Raise Funds for Community Rowing Program

            The Tulsa Rowing Club will host more than 100 rowers from the region June 2 at the 16th annual Tulsa Sprints Regatta on the Arkansas River. This year’s two-day event is the inauguration of the Route 66 Rowing Challenge, a unique state rowing partnership between the Tulsa Rowing Club and Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Boathouse.

The Tulsa Sprints Regatta will kick off Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with 1,000-meter sprint races on the river, beginning south of the 21st Street bridge and finishing near the River West Festival Park. Participants will then travel to Oklahoma City via historic Route 66 to compete in Sunday's Rose Rock Regatta hosted by the Chesapeake Boathouse. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers competing at both events.

On Saturday, spectators on the east and west banks of the Arkansas River will see high school, college and masters crews race in a full day of rowing events. Crews from several states, including Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas will compete in all classifications of boats, from the recreational single rower to the fast eight-person sweep rowing shell.

            The Tulsa Sprints Regatta serves as the Tulsa Rowing Club’s major annual fundraiser. Funds raised through event sponsorships will purchase new rowing equipment for both the masters and nationally competitive juniors programs.

            According to Janeann Taubel, sponsorship chairman for the Tulsa Sprints, the regatta has additional significance this year, as Tulsa’s juniors team recently qualified two boats for competition at the Youth National Championships in Cincinnati June 8-10.

            “Our juniors rowing program has become a force in the region thanks to the work of Coach Neil Bergenroth and the community’s support,” Taubel said. “Our goal now is to raise $6,000 through race sponsorships that can go toward acquiring new boats and rowing equipment – something these young athletes need to remain competitive with teams from other cities.”

            Members of Tulsa’s juniors team also will sell concessions during the regatta, with all proceeds benefiting the Tulsa Rowing Club. Additional donations will be accepted at the race and are tax-deductible.

            For more information about the Tulsa Sprints Regatta or to learn how you can support the Tulsa Rowing Club, visit www.tulsarowingclub.org.