High Point to Host Autumn Rowing Festival on Saturday

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Oak Hollow Lake, High Point, NC – The largest rowing event ever to take place in North Carolina will be held in High Point this weekend. On Saturday, High Point Rowing Club will welcome 160 boats from across North Carolina and surrounding states to Oak Hollow Lake as host of the 2015 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival.

“We have a wonderful turnout expected for this rowing event in High Point,” says regatta chair Mary Hollingsworth. “Registered boat entries are up over 70% from last year, which is an indication of how participation in rowing has exploded in North Carolina. High Point is now at the epicenter of this remarkable sport.”

The festival has attracted a number of marquis college names this weekend including local favorite High Point University, as well as UNC, NC State and Davidson College.

Also competing are Masters (adult) and youth programs from Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte and Asheville.

The High Point boys' varsity crew will be looking to win its first title on Saturday at the 2015 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival. The crew finished 3rd in 2014 after receiving a 1 minute penalty for missing a buoy race course marker.
The High Point boys’ varsity crew will be looking to win its first title on Saturday at the 2015 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival. The crew finished 3rd in 2014 after receiving a 1 minute penalty for missing a buoy race course marker.

Round the Duck

Boat racing at the rowing festival is a 5,000 meter time-trial. Crews will line up their sleek rowing shells at the Skeet Club Bridge end of Oak Hollow Lake and then race out to the Dam by Eastchester Blvd where they will row a 180 degree turn “Round the Duck” back to the main channel before turning toward the finish line at Johnson Street Bridge.

That’s right. There’s a duck. A giant bright yellow inflatable duck. Race officials decline to disclose the actual size of the duck but it clearly dwarfs the rowers on the water.

Over 80 boats will race "Round the Duck" at the 2014 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival on Saturday.
Over 80 boats will race “Round the Duck” at the 2014 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival on Saturday.

Racing begins at 10am and runs through 3:30pm. Following the races the duck will return to shore for children’s photographs. Use 3700 Waterview Road, High Point for GPS directions. The regatta is open to the general public and admission is free. Limited free parking is also available. Oak Hollow Lake will be closed to fishing boats during the boat races.

After a stunning vitory in Clemson, SC over the weekend, High Point's varsity girls crew will battle regional powerhouse Atlanta at the 2015 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival on Saturday.
After a stunning vitory in Clemson, SC over the weekend, High Point’s varsity girls crew will battle regional powerhouse Atlanta at the 2015 High Point Autumn Rowing Festival on Saturday.

MEDIA: PRESS INFORMATION
Media Center
Media headquarters for the 2015 Rowing Festival will be the Media Center at
Oak Hollow Lake. The Media Center is equipped with Wi-Fi access. The Media Center will also accommodate interviews at the conclusion of each event. Race winners will be brought to the interview area for media access. Limited parking is available for daily print, online and television media (advance notice requested). All television stations that will be bringing in satellite trucks should call Gene Kininmonth (office: 336-257-9009) to arrange for vehicle access.

Photographers
Photographers wishing to obtain action shots on the racecourse may be accommodated in a media boat on a first-come, first-served basis. The media boat will be restricted to designated sections of the course and cannot “race” to keep pace with competing boats. Please arrive at the Media Center 60 minutes before you need to be on the water.