Largest-Ever Youth Nationals Set to Take Place in Sarasota in June

With more than 2,800 participating athletes from 188 clubs scheduled to compete, USRowing is set to host the 2021 Youth National Regatta from June 10-13 in Sarasota, Fla. Featuring most of the events typically contested at the Youth National Championships and the U17/U15 National Championships, the regatta will be the largest of its kind in USRowing history.

James Rawson, USRowing Director of Events, said the event is nearly double the size of the Youth Nationals Championships held in typical years. Clubs will be traveling from 34 states to Sarasota, eager to compete after an uncertain year. With medals up for grabs in 27 events, the men's four with coxswain will have the most competing boats with 53 of the 781 total entries.

To account for uncertainty earlier in the year regarding the ability to hold the usual qualification regattas due to Covid-19, USRowing moved to an open entry process for this year, diverting from prior practices. In the end, the change allowed more athletes, coaches and teams to be involved, getting them back on the water after several months of limited races.

Greenwich Crew Director of Rowing Mike Wieneke said he appreciated that the process allowed for greater participation by the seniors on his team, as this is their final high school race, and they missed the championships last year due to its cancellation.

Wieneke also said that the open entry process allowed him to send more athletes than usual. In 2019, Greenwich Crew sent seven boats to the championships. This year, the team will be represented by 12 boats, allowing for more of his athletes to be exposed to national-level competition.

Prior to the Youth National Regatta, USRowing was able to host five of its six Youth Series regional events culminating with the USRowing Northwest Youth Championships this past weekend. Only the Southwest event had to be canceled due to Covid. And while those regattas did not serve as qualifiers this year, they were an opportunity for rowers to get back on the water to compete at the regional level prior to heading to Sarasota.

As always, USRowing's number one priority is to run a safe regatta. USRowing has a robust Covid risk mitigation plan in place for the Youth National Regatta in order to try to provide as safe of a competition environment as possible for our athletes, coaches, referees, volunteers, staff, supporters, and other attendees.

Click here for more information on the regatta.