Alan Stewart considers the rowing event that takes place on Vancouver Lake Friday through Sunday to be a hidden gem.
Sure the U.S. Rowing Northwest Youth Rowing Championships have been held here for at least three decades. And as many as 1,500 rowers representing 25 clubs from Washington, Oregon and Idaho will participate in the premier event of the year for most high school age rowers.
But Stewart, the head coach for Vancouver Lake Crew, wishes the event — and the lake’s reputation as the premier rowing venue in the region — were more widely recognized.
“We’ve got this fabulous park with lots of parking and a race course where you can see from the start line to the finish line,” Stewart said, explaining one reason that the junior regionals have long taken place on Vancouver Lake.
The race course is 2,000 meters, or about 1¼ miles. Races are held in novice, junior varsity and varsity divisions. The winners of varsity regional titles qualify for the USA Rowing Junior Nationals.
Among the 26 rowers competing for Vancouver Lake Crew will be Gabi White, who last year raced at the junior nationals.
In addition to the setting, Stewart said the Vancouver Lake course compares with the best courses in the region for the racing it provides. In addition to the annual juniors regional, Stewart said the course is a favorite of many of the adult rowers in the region.
The fluctuating depth of the lake prevents Vancouver from hosting any international competitions, Stewart said. But, even when the water level is low (as it currently is), it provides excellent racing conditions according to Stewart.
Racing is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 7 a.m. to noon on Sunday. Vancouver Lake Park is the place to watch the races. There is no cost for spectators.
