BY ELIZABETH FITE
Twenty teams and 268 rowers representing eight states will compete during the USRowing Southeastern Regional Championships on Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Langley Pond.
"It's our 18th year on Langley Pond, and everybody seems to come and have a great time rowing; it's a great venue for this," said Jim Buckalew, regatta director for the USRowing Southeastern Regional Championships.
Competitors in this sprint event will race in divisions of singles, doubles, quads and eights. Participation will be further organized by women, men, juniors, masters, open and mixed or specialty divisions.
Open and juniors races are 2000 meters, and masters events are 1000 meters.
The Langley Pond course is challenging because it requires a floating start, as opposed to a stake boat or fixed start, Buckalew said.
"You're not stationary; it's a little bit of a challenge to get everything lined up, but most of the rowers are very experienced, and they know what to expect when they come out," he said.
Other challenges for competitors will be the heat and possible wind or thunderstorms.
The Augusta Rowing Club provides volunteers for the event, and Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism provides the venue, course preparation and additional support.
"This is the culmination of the rowing season for a lot of people in the Southeast," Buckalew said. "It's just a good location, and it's an event that most of the people who come enjoy the racing opportunity."
There is no charge for spectators.
Langley Pond Park, the only Olympic size course in South Carolina, is located at 113 Langley Dam Road in Langley, S.C.
More information, including directions to the venue, is available from Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department at 803-642-7559, 803-642-7557 or on the website at www.aikencountyprt.com.
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Twenty teams and 268 rowers representing eight states will compete during the USRowing Southeastern Regional Championships on Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Langley Pond.
"It's our 18th year on Langley Pond, and everybody seems to come and have a great time rowing; it's a great venue for this," said Jim Buckalew, regatta director for the USRowing Southeastern Regional Championships.
Competitors in this sprint event will race in divisions of singles, doubles, quads and eights. Participation will be further organized by women, men, juniors, masters, open and mixed or specialty divisions.
Open and juniors races are 2000 meters, and masters events are 1000 meters.
The Langley Pond course is challenging because it requires a floating start, as opposed to a stake boat or fixed start, Buckalew said.
"You're not stationary; it's a little bit of a challenge to get everything lined up, but most of the rowers are very experienced, and they know what to expect when they come out," he said.
Other challenges for competitors will be the heat and possible wind or thunderstorms.
The Augusta Rowing Club provides volunteers for the event, and Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism provides the venue, course preparation and additional support.
"This is the culmination of the rowing season for a lot of people in the Southeast," Buckalew said. "It's just a good location, and it's an event that most of the people who come enjoy the racing opportunity."
There is no charge for spectators.
Langley Pond Park, the only Olympic size course in South Carolina, is located at 113 Langley Dam Road in Langley, S.C.
More information, including directions to the venue, is available from Aiken County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department at 803-642-7559, 803-642-7557 or on the website at www.aikencountyprt.com.