What to bring to a regatta

Spectators

  • Camp chair

  • Reading material, screens/homework/games for siblings 

  • Binoculars

  • Camera 

  • Weather-appropriate clothing for layering (the temps may go from 50s at arrival to 70s+ by the afternoon). 

  • Weather-appropriate footwear for walking through wet grass or mud

  • Raingear and umbrella if rain is forecasted

  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

  • Cell phone & battery charger

  • A small blanket can be handy

  • Travel packet/information from Travel Chairperson with directions to hotel, regatta site, team dinner (if any), etc. 

  • Printout of Heatsheets or events from RegattaCentral for the most up-to-date race times *Check with your rower for their events- Lineups may change at the last minute! 

  • Snacks, drinks - parents are welcome to eat in the crew tent and there’s often food available for purchase, but if you have food allergies or preferences it’s best to bring it with you.

Most importantly, bring your enthusiasm, support for your rower, and readiness to help out in the team tent!

Rowers

  • Full Water Bottle, snacks to eat on bus to tide you over until group meal (for away regattas)

  • All pieces of uniform and Cox boxes/vests (for coxswains), team sweatshirt or Stevenson jacket, socks.

  • Weather-appropriate layers for rowing (both under-layers and clothes that can go over uniforms to stay warm and dry between races). 

  • Small blanket or sleeping bag to crash out in between races. 

  • Weather-appropriate outerwear. (Waterproof coats, shoes or boots, fleeces). 

  • Appropriate shoes for water launches (slides, crocs - they need to be easy to take on/off for carrying boat to launch dock, then give to a designated teammate to retrieve at recovery dock) 

  • Plastic bag for wet clothing 

  • Hat, sunglasses (both optional), and sunscreen

  • Medication: if you need daily medication, epi-pen, inhaler, etc., make sure you bring it! 

  • Smallish bag/backpack for the team tent and bus. Your overnight bag will be stowed under the bus. 

  • HOMEWORK to work on during away regattas 

  • PJs, toiletries, changes of underwear, and clothes. Make sure you have an EXTRA set dry of clothes for the bus ride home 

  • Cash for purchasing t-shirts and other novelties (many vendors now take ApplePay)

  • 7/16 wrench for rigging

DO NOT BRING VALUABLES THAT WOULD DEVASTATE YOU IF LOST EVERYTHING!

Other tips

  • Arrive early!

  • Parking can be an adventure at regattas. If there is a race you want to see, get there in time to find a parking spot, walk to the water and find the best viewing spot. The time it can take to do this should not be underestimated. 

  • Assume everything will be running on time, even though that is rarely the case.

  • Volunteer! The day will go much faster if you have a job to do, and it’s a good way to get to know the other team families. 

  • From a distance, all boats can look alike. The best way to spot a Shaker Crew boat is by looking at the oars.