Schuylkill Banks Regatta

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Thanks to everyone - officials, sponsors, coaches and competitors - for making this historic first-ever regatta on the lower Schuylkill a smashing success.

Official results

Read below about all the entertainment and festivities planned at Schuylkill River Park

A record-setting 135 boats, and 549 rowers from five states and Canada will compete in the first ever regatta on the Lower Schuylkill River.

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. October 22-- Schuylkill River, which in Dutch means "hidden river," has certainly changed, not hiding anymore, but showing off its new Schuylkill Banks look with vibrant green spaces, walking and biking trails and a transformed lower banks riverfront. Since 1992, the Schuylkill River Development Corporation (SRDC), the lead agency in the lower waterfront's development, has embarked on an ambitious multi-year master plan, with goals including improving riverfront access and connections; creating new riverfront destinations; leveraging market driven development; improving physical conditions; and building strong communities.

In June 2005, SRDC completed the first phase of its master riverfront plans by announcing a new name for the space--Schuylkill Banks--hosting a summer film and concert series, opening the biking, walking and hiking trials, and announcing the first major event on the Schuylkill Banks, called the Schuylkill Banks Regatta presented by Toll Brothers at Naval Square.

With key partners including the Schuylkill Navy, the Fairmount Park Commission, Bartram's Gardens, and the City of Philadelphia, and with the support of sponsors including Toll Brothers at Naval Square, Brandywine Realty Trust, Sunoco, KPMG, Trolley Works, Realen Properties, NorthMarque, Urban Engineers, Adventure Aquarium, Jaguar/Land Rover West Chester, and World Cafe Live, SRDC will continue its efforts to bring the joy of the river back into the lives of residents and visitors alike.

SCHUYLKILL BANKS REGATTA 2005:

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Toll Brothers at Naval Square

MAJOR SPONSORS (listing incomplete): Brandywine Realty Trust, Sunoco, KPMG, Trolley Works, Realen Properties, Urban Engineers, Adventure Aquarium, Jaguar/Land Rover West Chester and World Café Live.

DATE, TIME, LOCATION: Saturday, October 22, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The races will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:20 p.m., with a medal presentation at 3:00 p.m., and will launch from Bartram's Gardens and finish at near the Race Street entrance. Spectator viewing areas are at Bartram's Garden (Start Line), Walnut Street (Family Circle) and Race Street (Finish Line). A free trolley service will be provided between Start Line and Family Circle venues. Musical performances, a food court and family circle activities will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

ACCESS TO VENUE: Visitors can enter Schuylkill Banks from multiple locations. New banners have been placed at most of the entrances, and they include 25th and Locust Street and 25th and Race Street. Other points of access are on the following: the Walnut Street Stairtowers; Market and Chestnut Street Ramps; 25th and Martin Luther King Drive (near Eakins Oval) and at the Fairmount Water Works. All access points, except for the Walnut Street stair towers, are handicapped accessible.

PARKING: Spectators are encouraged to take public transportation and bring their own chairs. Free parking (limited) will be provided at Toll Brothers at Naval Square, 2420 Grays Ferry Avenue. A free trolley service will be provided to take spectators from the parking area to Family Circle. Paid parking is available at 23rd and Race and other nearby lots.

REGATTA DETAILS: Race officiated by the Schuylkill Navy, the non-profit organization that is the governing body of amateur rowing in Philadelphia. Races are "Henley Style" named for the Henley Regatta in London, with boats racing head-to-head. (Most races on the upper Schuylkill have six boats racing in lanes.) Scores of rowers will compete in the collegiate, high school, masters, and open level entries, with ages spanning from 16 to 80 years of age. The 3-mile course begins at the Start Line at Bartram's Gardens, travels along the river through Grey's Ferry, University Avenue and South Street to the Finish Line at Race Street. Rowers will wind along a challenging course, passing under 11 bridges, and racing for the first time on the lower banks of the Schuylkill River. More than 128 boats from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts and Canada will compete with 600 rowers taking part.

ENTERTAINMENT: The Schuylkill Banks Regatta will include a day-long festival featuring live musical performances for children and adults, a food court, activities for children including face-painting, story telling, games, clowns, giveaways and other activities. Families can picnic on the banks of the river, tour professionally decorated model homes at Naval Square, see the latest Land Rover model vehicles, experience the Adventure Aquarium's "Touch Tank," guess how old a tree is by counting its rings, and listen to World Cafe Live's Peanut Butter and Jams children's concerts, among others. The host of the main stage will be Johnny Meister, the host of the WXPN Blues Show for the past 25 years, which has received numerous awards including Public Radio's "Keepin' the Blues Alive" award in 2000. Featured performers include the Eagles Pep Band, The Nobs, Deb Callahan and Flexible Flyer on the main stage, and Makin' Music Rockin' Rhythms, Ernie & Neal on the Family Circle Stage. The performance times are as follows:

In the Family Circle tent, activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The activities include the following:

ROWING ON THE SCHUYLKILL had historical roots dating back to 1732, when two social clubs called " Colony in Schuylkill" and "Fort St. David" maintained a fleet of boats for fishing and recreation (a monument marks their location at the Sweetbrier cutoff and West River Drive). In subsequent years, the owners of the large estate along the Schuylkill maintained rowing boats for transportation and amusement. The water works dam dramatically altered the river from a tidal stream to a long fresh water lake which drowned the central cataract known as the Falls of the Schuylkill near Midvale Avenue and Kelly Drive. This new character of the river provided a relatively flat calm surface, which became one of the finest locations available for rowing in the country. Much of the history of the U.S. sculling has been established on this ideal stream whose gentle current did not, under ordinary conditions, affect the outcome of the race.