Racing Particulars

BCR has a competitive edge and many members train hard throughout the entire year in preparation for local and national races. The Racing Program requires a high level of commitment, whether competing in sweep boats or sculling shells. Click here to download the Program Details & Curricula document. To see the training schedule for those interested in Racing, please click on Sweep Programs.  Sculling racing is also available.

Because members and potential BCR members often have questions about racing, we have attempted to answer the most frequently asked questions.

How do I go to a race with BCR?

1. Become a BCR member.
2. Check out the BCR 2008 Racing Schedule. The most comprehensive racing calendar can be seen on Row2K.com.
3. See if the race is appropriate for your level of experience. Some races are highly competitive and are better suited for advanced rowers. Some races are on tight, curving courses and require skilled crews and coxes. Many races are great for all levels of rowers. If you are unsure about a race, just ask.
4. Sign up with the race coordinator, Terri Brady. We can help you get the forms you need, find clubs that will rent boats, coordinate trailering boats, and help you handle other logistics. Many races offer discounts for multiple entries from the same club. By working together, we can lower the costs and make racing more enjoyable. Members are encouraged to participate in races, and those who do say the experience is extremely rewarding.
5. Seat racing may be required to set the fastest boats or to determine who can go to limited-entry races such as the Head of the Charles or San Diego Crew Classic where we want to send our best boats.
6. Go have a great time!

How much does racing cost?

Because we aren't close to many other rowing clubs, we do have to travel long distances to go to regattas.

• For races you can drive to (such as Kansas), count on $250 - $350 to cover travel, lodging, racing fees, and other miscellaneous expenses.
• For races in the US, count on $500 - $600 per person per race to cover airfare, car rental, lodging, fees, boat rental, etc.

There are several local races, including our own Thin Air Head and the Horsetooth Ache in Ft. Collins, that are virtually FREE!

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How does Masters racing work?

To be a master, you must be 27 years of age or older by the end of this calendar year. At USRowing sponsored races, you will be carded. When was the last time you had to prove your age?

Your age for racing is the age you will be at the end of this calendar year. If you are 34 and your birthday is in October, you are 35 for racing. If you are 53 and your birthday is January 1, you are 53 for racing.

The age of your boat is the average of all the rowers ages (but not the cox, who can be 12), rounded down. If you have four rowers - 54, 52, 57, 63 - the average age of the boat is 56 (54 +- 52 +- 57 +- 63 = 226 divided by 4 = 56.5; round down to 56).

Masters rowing is divided into age categories (letters A-F) to make the racing more competitive:

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What is the cutoff for lightweight versus heavyweight racers?

There are two weight classes for rowers: Heavyweight and Lightweight. Lightweight masters rowing is becoming more popular as masters rowing (age 27+-) grows across the country. For open rowers (any age), there has been lightweight rowing for some time.

There are two types of racing: Sprints and Head Races and each has a different weight requirement.

Sprint Races typically run spring and summer and are 1,000 meters for masters and 2,000 meters for open rowers. During the sprint season, a lightweight women's boat must average less than 125 lbs with no single rower weighing more than 130 lbs. A lightweight men's boat must average less than 155 lbs with no rower weighing more than 160 lbs.

Head Races run in the fall and are generally 5,000 meters for everybody, though some races are shorter and some longer. During the Head Racing season, a lightweight women's boat must average less than 130 lbs with no rower weighing more than 135 lbs. For men, the boat average must be less than 160 lbs with no rower weighing more than 165 lbs.

These are general guidelines. Some races, such as Head of the Charles, have different lightweight requirements. When you are deciding to row as a lightweight, it's important to check the guidelines for each race to make sure you meet them.

You should also be realistic about whether you "should" row as a lightweight. Usually, someone who should row lightweight is already a natural lightweight. In other words, if you have to cut a lot of weight just to make the boat, you are probably sacrificing performance, and more importantly, your health. Anorexia is not a problem isolated to young women -- it can take over even the most unsuspecting prospective lightweight man or woman. Please check with your health professional if you have questions about losing lots of weight.

2008 BCR Racing Schedule

Each season, BCR selects the races the club will participate in around the country. Racing Program participants must commit to training for and attending the race designated at the end of their session:

• Racing-1: April 21-June 14

  Mandatory regatta: NW Masters Regionals in Vancouver, WA, June 20-22

• Racing-2: June 16-Aug. 9

  Mandatory regatta: Masters National Championship in Long Beach, CA, Aug. 14-17

• Racing-3: Aug. 18-Oct. 11

  Mandatory regatta: Head of the Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, OK, Oct. 3-5

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