Please check back early March for the schedule of rowing programs being offered by the MRRA this summer

Learn to Row: in those big boats - great exercise and fun!

Learn to Scull:  in the smaller boats on your own or with a buddy

Masters Sweep:  Rowers with at least 1 year experience. For exercise, fun and competition

Open Sweep:  Serious competition level

Coached sculling:  For Competitive scullers and also a session for intermediate/rec scullers

Please go to MRRA Committees and then Social Committee to see the January meeting minutes and also an opportunity to join a bike ride in support of Brain Tumor research and our friend Paul Wenger

The Merrimac River Rowing Association is offering two (2) $250 scholarships to class of 2012 graduating high school seniors who have supported and/or participated in rowing programs at the Bellegarde Boathouse. The scholarship award also includes a fee waived summer student membership in the MRRA for the upcoming season.

Download the PDF for more information and a copy of the Application.

MRRA men’s pair, Mike Poreba and Rich Connell, did an outstanding job at the Pan Am Trials.

They had an extremely good showing at the Trials, starting off a bit slow in the heats and gathering tremendous momentum as the Trials progressed.  They posted the fastest time in the reps while also posting their best time yet of 6: 49.

In the finals race, which was streamed live, Oklahoma City Training Center boat shot out in the lead and the guys fought it out with the OKCTC B for second place.  While OKCTC A stayed in the lead, our guys fought bravely as it turned into a 3 boat brawl for second place.  In the end, our guys finished fourth, having posted yet another personal best time of 6:47!

These guys truly represented MRRA well and deserve recognition for their outstanding job.  And as Vee said, "I couldn’t be more proud to be called their coach!"

Go to usrowing.org for all of the results, etc.

Welcome to the home page for the Festival Regatta brought to you by the members of the Merrimac River Rowing Association. The MRRA is very proud of this fun day of 6-lane sprint racing on the scenic and historic Merrimac River in Lowell, Massachusetts. This regatta features about 35 events for the full range of age and boat classes.

Festival 2011 - Sunday, June 26th

On raceday, follow the calls to launch and other race-day information via Twitter by following @MRRA_Rowing. This can be especially helpful if you can't hear the Audio system from your trailer location.

The 2011 Festival is in the books.  See the Results link below.   We had great weather - perfectly muggy and ovecast - but no wind and no rain.  We hope you all enjoyed the day, and congratulations to all medalists. 

If you have any questions or feedback, please write to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Thanks for playing!

Race Directors Mark McKenna and Jessica Murray

PICTURES FROM THE REGATTA

Watch the slide show

Watch the video slide show

FINAL RESULTS

Download FINAL RESULTS (PDF)

UPDATE

Download Heat Sheet (PDF)

Download Race Schedule (PDF)

FAQ

Download the Regatta Packet - four pages of useful information for race day.

Parking - across the street at Regatta Field - $5.   Breakdown lane okay for trailers downstream of boathouse; upstream of trailer lot.  Lot adjacent to the boathouse is for trailers only.   Passenger vehicles in Regatta Field only.  DO Not park in Dunkin Donuts lot - you will not get a free donut to go with your free tow.

Coaches and Coxswains Meeting - Yes, 7am on race day

During this month, the MRRA is starting up several different rowing programs for all skill levels - and there are still seats available.

• Learn To Scull - the June program has started, but there are still openings in the July program.  No experience required - you'll be introduced to the art of sculling using our fleet of stable boats and receive professional coaching to advance your skills as far as you like. 
• Learn To Sweep - for the more team-oriented person, you'll learn to row the "big boats" - fours and eights - with professional coaching to teach you the basics and advance your skills during this six week program.  No experience necessary.  If you're a college or high school coxswain and want to hone your boat management skills, this would be an excellent way to stay engaged with the sport before you start back up in the fall.  Starts June 20th.
• Masters Sweep - for the rower with previous experience, this sweep program is open to anyone 18 or older.   Perhaps you rowed in college, or you've graduated but want to stay engaged in the sport.  In this program, we'll be doing more drills and longer pieces, providing a team atmosphere that is more focused on boat speed.  Depending on the turnout, we may train one or two boats for some racing in the early fall.  Starts June 20th.
• Open Sweep - the competitive MRRA sweep boats are pretty full at this point.   But if you're a collegiate or masters rower and want to keep the level of your competitive training high, contact us to see if there may be short-term openings, or it's possible a new boat will be forming.

One way or another, if you want to row and live in the Lowell, MA area, the MRRA has a program for you.  Visit the program pages linked above for more information, or write to us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions.

To register for any program, login with your account, go to My Membership and update your program Choices.

The Merrimack River Rowing Association (MRRA) is a private rowing club that operates out of the UMass Lowell Bellegarde Boathouse on the Merrimack River in Lowell, MA. We are a non-profit entity offering rowing instruction and competitive programs for all skill levels, including community access to the sport of rowing through our various programs.

Learn more...