San Diego Crew Classic Returns with Over 120 Races and More than 4,000 Athletes

It’s America’s Premier Spring Regatta! The San Diego Crew Classic is a two-day, nationally acclaimed regatta, consisting of over 120 races with more than 4000 athletes. 

From its modest beginnings over four decades ago, the San Diego Crew Classic has matured into the largest regatta in the West Coast held for primarily eight-oared rowing shells. The regatta provides a venue for high school junior programs, collegiate teams, masters’ clubs, and even Olympic-level competition. 

San Diegans can be proud of the strong influence the regatta has had nationally on the sport of rowing. The beautiful waters and green lawns of Mission Bay Park offer a perfect setting for this well-loved event. Thousands of spectators watch the races on the Jumbotron and thousands more will watch the races via a live streaming webcast. 

Why San Diego? Rowing has a long tradition in the city. Although commonly considered a mostly Ivy League and east-coast sport, rowing in San Diego dates back to 1888, when a men’s rowing and swim club was established, eventually becoming the San Diego Rowing Club (SDRC).

The San Diego Crew Classic is only as successful as the community behind it. Opportunities for local and national support include: 

• Sponsor, Donor, or Steward openings. The current 2019 supporters are:
  • Patagonia
  • I Love A Clean San Diego
  • Concept2
  • Dark Horse Rowing
  • Pocock Foundation
  • Bare Republic
  • Row2k
  • USRowing
  • Stone Brewing
  • Coronado Brewery
  • UC San Diego Health
  • SewSporty
  • American Specialty Health
• Vendor space available: Corporations and Vendors are invited to share and sell their services and products at the very popular Vendor Row. 
• Volunteer: Donate time during the event to support the rowers on the shore and water.
• Spectators: Attendees can purchase tickets to attend this year’s regatta in-person or online. 
• The Classic Brunch by the Bay: The event opens Sunday April 7 at 7:30am.
• Come celebrate with us at the Classic Brunch by the Bay proudly presented by the San Diego Crew Classic. Purchase tickets here.
• Hotels: Book a discounted room through our hotel partners.

“The regatta gives me and all participants the chance to work with rowers of all ages and all abilities, from novice to Olympian, and to give back to the community,” said Olympic Rower and Executive Director of the Crew Classic, Luke Walton. “My first major regatta was the San Diego Crew Classic in High School in 1996, and I am proud now to be helping perpetuate the legacy of such a highly esteemed event.”

The San Diego Crew Classic is more than just a rowing regatta, it is also renowned for its beautiful setting along the San Diego shoreline. Attendees will soak up city views, sunshine and sunsets, have access to food trucks and a diverse offering of local craft beers, cider and wine. Purchase Tickets for the 46th Annual San Diego Crew Classic today.

About the Crew Classic: Rowing is the oldest collegiate sport in the United States, beginning with the Yale vs. Harvard race of 1852. Since the sport’s inception, the elite Ivy League schools dominated the Collegiate Championships until the late 1970s. As a result, many of the Ivy League crew members were selected for the National and Olympic teams, excluding many west coast rowers. The Crew Classic has played an important role in shifting the balance of the “powerhouse” rowing programs from the east to now include programs from the west coast.

The San Diego Crew Classic is Funded in part with the City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.