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Contact: David West
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
11/11/98
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES - Northwestern State University's rowing team will host the Ninth Annual Marathon Rowing Championships Saturday, Nov. 14 on Cane River.
The race is the only 26-mile continuous rowing regatta in the country. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. near Melrose Plantation and ends in downtown Natchitoches. The race will take about three to four hours to complete.
The event is popular with competitors because it offers a break in the normal racing routine," said Regatta Director William Grant. "In rowing, there are typically two kinds of races - sprint races and head races. Most sprint races are 500 - 2000 meters long, and most head races are from 2.5 to 3.5 miles in length. These distances pretty much comprise all of the regattas in the country, and every competitive rower has been there and done that so to speak. The marathon offers rowers a chance to try something very different - an opportunity to challenge their rowing abilities as well as their physical stamina."
Grant says the setting on and along Cane River is a big help in putting together the event.
"The conditions we have on Cane River are a tremendous boost to the event. The lake has no current, and its high banks offer very good cross wind protection, and the scenery in the fall is spectacular," he said. "It is very peaceful rowing through a patch of glassy water with thousands of leaves floating by you.
Cane River will be closed to boat traffic during the regatta. Spectators are encouraged to view the race from their homes or public sites along the river.
Most races do not allow spectators to follow the competitors at different times along the course - you can watch the start or the finish at most, but you don't have time to move and catch them both," said Grant."In our regatta, you can follow nearly every mile of the river and cheer on competitors several times at dozens of locations along the river."
More than 300 competitors from throughout the country are expected to compete. Categories include one and two-man canoes, racing singles and doubles as well as four and eight man shells.
"Our regatta is also very popular because we put a lot of time and money back into the event. We have floating mile markers every mile of the course, we mark potential hazards along the way, we have several water and rest stops and safety boats along the course," said Grant. "I think this helps competitors lose the feeling of being completely alone on such a long and secluded course. We allow competitors to enter any category they wish, so they can row in the class that best suits them - other regattas are not as flexible."
Grant said competitors are also provided with bottled water and energy bars from sponsors. Awards and certificates are also presented, and racers are treated to a gumbo dinner after the race.
For more information on the Marathon Rowing Championships, call (318) 357-5921.