The American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) National Championship Regatta was hosted by our friends at the Lake Lanier Rowing Club over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend.
ACRA expected 1,300 competitors, 500-700 coaches and hundreds of spectators. Teams from 62 schools in 29 states — as far away as Seattle, Washington, Los Angeles, New Hampshire and Colorado — paddled their hearts out for their schools, their teams and for their fans.
Lake Lanier's Rowing Venue -- Site of the 1996 Olympics ~~ (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Even if you never come closer to this sport than laughing at those “Paddle faster! I think I hear banjos!” T-shirts, you’d love attending a regatta at Lake Lanier’s Olympic Rowing Venue at Clark’s Bridge Park in Gainesville, GA. Not just because it’s a beautiful place to spend time, but the pleasant competitiveness among participants is exhilarating.
I want to thank Brian Ransom for allowing me to take pictures from within the Timing Tower (How cool is that?), the Boston College rowing team for shouting out “Hi, Suzannah!!” as I took their picture, and my dear friends from the University of North Carolina — which shall now be referred to as “The Ultimate School in the Ultimate State” — for feeding me lunch.
I hope you enjoy the photographs below as much as I enjoyed taking them. Just click to enlarge them.
Trishia Garcia from Carolina Crew. The beautiful, kind, friendly, gracious lady who gave me a free lunch. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Lindsay, Megan, Whitney and Jordan … the Smoking Hot Girls from the Vanderbilt Crew! [Smoke provided by the unnamed team grilling next door.] — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Boston College’s Men’s Crew team. If you read their lips, you’ll see they’re saying, “Hi! Suzannah!!!” — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Liz Vallez, purveyor of bright clothing and possessor of a very cool accent. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Lake Lanier Rowing Club Coach Brian Ransom in the Timing Tower. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Please do not ignore the man behind the screen, Howard Stranathan. He’s in charge of the video replay. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
In the middle pane of glass, there’s a fine black wire. That’s how the judges — who sit on tiered seats precisely lined up with that wire — know who wins. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
When things get boring between races, the officials drag race on the river. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Yonder come the rowers! — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
What a close finish!!! — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
No, banjo music isn’t played to make them row faster, but that would work for me. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Fighting to the end, win or lose. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
By this point the average person would’ve died. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Racing is all about crossing the finish line. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
Rowing is an elegant sport and Lake Lanier’s Rowing Venue is an elegant spot. — (Photo: Robert Sutherland)
About Author
Robert J. Sutherland is a travel writer enjoying life in Gainesville, GA.
Robert has two adult daughters, seven practically perfect grandchildren and a zippy Kawasaki. Contact Robert at [email protected].
Can anyone tell me where I can get leftover 2017 ACRA Regatta souvenirs such as things photographed above? or just ACRA/Lake Lanier/Gainesville merchandise in general? For instance, I have seen a white T that says “Lake Lanier Olympic Park Gainesville, GA” with silhouette of boat/oars.
Can anyone tell me where I can get leftover 2017 ACRA Regatta souvenirs such as things photographed above? or just ACRA/Lake Lanier/Gainesville merchandise in general? For instance, I have seen a white T that says “Lake Lanier Olympic Park Gainesville, GA” with silhouette of boat/oars.