Friends, there are some races happening on the Potomac River the next couple of weekends.
The first is Saturday, April 20. This will involve both scholastic rowing races on the 1500m race course (from the Three Sisters to the downstream end of the Georgetown waterfront steps) and a paddling race from the Canoe Club through 14th Street Bridges and back. The paddling race starts at 9:30 am and should conclude by about 11:30 am; the rowing races will begin at 7:45 am and conclude at 12:15 pm. We will have safety marshalls throughout the rowing course and there will be safety marshalls for the paddling course (some mobile, and at least one stationary at the upstream end of Roosevelt Island). I've included maps for each course so you can be aware of the portions of the river at which you can expect the heaviest boat traffic.
The next race to get on your radar is Saturday, April 27. This is the Charlie Butt Regatta, which is being run by Yorktown and Washington-Liberty. There will be a starting platform in place the afternoon of April 26, with course installation occurring that afternoon and likely finalized the morning of April 27. The course will be the same as the April 20 course. Again, there will be safety marshalls along the course to direct racing crews. We do not have the schedule for this event finalized as yet, but last year racing began at approximately 8 am and wrapped by noon. I'll post an update once the schedule is available.
The safety marshalls on both race days will ask non-racing crews to hold from crossing or proceeding down the course. This is in the interest of fairness and safety. We know how disruptive it is to have racing happening across from the PBC docks, and we very much appreciate everyone's willingness to heed the safety marshalls' instructions. We are hoping, but cannot guarantee, that all races will be followed by wakeless launches to help minimize disruption to the PBC docks.
Please reach out to me directly with any questions, tolsunwaddle@gmail.com