San Diego Crew Classic 2025

WOW! Other competitive rowers from Texas Rowing Center, Rio Salado Rowing, and nearly every other club and rower I speak to talk about the SDCC and how much fun it is and also how difficult the 2000 meter sprint in rough water can be. It has always been on my bucket list…. CHECK!

This year I participated in the SDCC rowing in a Club Mixed 8+ with the host team from San Diego Rowing Club! The SDRC and the JEDI team (older men and women) are an amazing group of talented rowers who are all just fun to hang around with and even more fun to row with.

Ariving late Thursday from Phoenix into San Diego we stayed at the Fairfiled Inn (Marriot property) in Old Town San Diego. Only about a 12 minute drive to Crown Point (launch and regatta site), this was a perfect location. Practice started at 7am for the boat and we all got together for the first time. From the beach launch to the cross winds and finally the coarse. Our cox (Dani) was great! We all learned to row together, practiced starts and rowed the race course, and then went home to rest until our heat at 2:38pm. It was race day at the Crew Classic!

While the water was like glass at 7am (little to no wind), it was not the same at 2:30pm! Wind and chop was in play (apparently normal) and the row was a bit harder. We had lane 1 which was a blessing and rowed our hardest only to finish near the back of our heat (OK, we came in DFL). But that’s ok, we had a fun race and still qualified for the B Final late Saturday afternoon (like the last race of the day).

Saturday we got to relax a bit as our final was at 4:55pm. Old Town is a great place to be! We found a great Mexican restaurant (El Agave) for dinner Thursday and again Saturday and enjoyed a great breakfast about 0.25 miles up Congress in Old Town at Cocinas del Monte (yummy). We arrived early to take pictures and enjoy the comradery of the rowers from all over the country. This really is a great community of people! Fianlly hands on at 4pm and off to the races for the final! The waves and wind calmed down a bit and we did great. Lane 4 gave us a 2nd place finish. So fun!

So, all I can say is this…. the SDCC is an epic event and not to be missed! Yes, a 2K sprint in rough water is hard (it was) but the venue and people are fantastic! This is one to make sure you do at least once. I hope to be invited back again. THANK YOU SDRC!!

Club MxM8+ from San Diego Rowing Club (SDRC)

US Rowing Soutwest Masters Regionals - Chula Vista

Did you go with your team this year (2024)? After last year and the tight quarters near the club house, did you skip this year? Well, let me tell you…. US Rowing listened and made significant changes in concert with the city of Chula Vista and the parks commision.

Moved just s “short walk” down Wueste Rd to the Otay Lake parking area and the new launch site and trailer / team staging areas are ready. Lots of parking for trailers, athletes, and visitors as well as stagging and rigging areas and three lauch / recovery docks. Well done USrowing! And on top of this…. no boating traffic allowed all day Saturday and SUnday (except raace officials). WHAT A CHANGE!

We, if you missed it… too bad. It was great weather and lots of fun. Of course an houe delay on Saturday for fog, but smooth rowing after that. Competiion was well represented and races mostly to finals due to smaller crowds and less attendees. I enjoyed to competition and watched my Rio Salado Rowing team mates win lots of medals! “Yeah baby” says couach Peter.

All in all… well done. Parking was in a lot not on the street.

Plenty of shade to hide under (and sun to row under)

No vendors so make sure to bring all your own water, snacks, and electrolytes (ok, FOOD).

Decent bathroom facilities.

Hotels? The Residence Inn San Diego Chula Vista (619) 216-1000 is close and food is close. We stay at the Hampton Inn Chula Vista Eastlake with our dogs. Again, close to everything and free breakfast. (619) 591-4830

Food? GO to Oreanos Seafood & Sushi and get a plate full of fish tacos! WOW, so good! Heck, 4 grown men, after a day of racing, ate and drank for only $100. In California! And it was awesome Mexican Seafood. Fresh!

US Rowing Master's Nationals

Join us in Oak Ridge, TN for the 2017 Master's Nationals!  Our team, Texas Rowing Center, has entered 75 boats racing towards this years point championship and lots of gold medals!  Our crew ranges from 244 years old to 78 years old!  Get ready Oak Ridge, TEXAS is on the way!

Texas Rowing Center takes gold in the Men's Club C 8+ 

Texas State Championship Regatta - 2017

Texas Rowing Center wins the points championship again!  Enjoying this event requires planning to overcome the remote location and the changing weather patterns.  We hope that these tips help you in your next Austin Regatta.

Local Markets: Head north on Chicon and make a left onto Holly Street.  Take Holly west under US35 to Rainey Street.  There are LOTS of great places here!  If you take a left onto Rainey you can enjoy the Royal Blue Grocery.  They have a little of everything!  For a larger store, HEB is located at E 7th Street.  Take Comal north to E 7th and take a right.  It is then several miles to the east on the right.

Breakfast:  Head north on Chicon and make a right onto Cesar Chavez.  About a mile up the road you will find Juan in a Million of the left and Capital City Bakery on the right.  Both and great local places.  If you make a left on Cesar Chavez you can follow that across US35 to the IHop on the SW corner to the left.

Lunch: Rainey Street!!!!  Craft Pride for great Pizza!  Trailer Food court!  G'Raj Mahal for Indian (if you can handle that).  Need a burger?  Head to Jo's on 2nd Street downtown (near Lavaca). Or just go explore!

Pasta: I like heading down South Congress for diner at night.  It gets crowded and parking is a challenge after 5pm but there are many great places to eat.  My favorite for Pasta is Vespaio. But we go next door to Enoteca Vespaio.  Same kitchen and half the price.  Great food!  Of course you drive past Home Slice (best Pizza in Austin) on the way in case that is more your style.  Enjoy!

Parking Tips:  The area around Festival Beach State Park changes after dark and often local car clubs converge on the parking areas to enjoy the nights with car shows, music, and boisterous fun!  It is a good idea to pack your things and leave the area before dark to avoid this crown and the subsequent challenges that come with it.   We would suggest parking on the streets or in the parking lots off Chicon Street for easiest egress.  Exiting the parking lot on the corner of Comal and Nash Hernandez can become a challenge after dark.