Festival Regatta

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MRRA Regattas

The MRRA is hosting the following regattas:

Festival Regatta 2023

Textile River Regatta 2023

#usrowing

The 44th Annual Textile River Regatta is ON for Sunday, October 1st, 2023 Print E-mail

Mark your calendar and visit with us on Sunday, October 1st, 2023 for the 44th running of the Textile River Regatta!  This is the perfect event to take in the combination of rowing and fall foliage on the scenic Merrimack River in Lowell, MA.

For more information visit the regatta website at www.textileriverregatta.org.

Last Updated on Monday, 24 April 2023 14:34
 
Learn to Row with the Merrimac River Rowing Association! Print E-mail
ltsweep-news

The Merrimac River Rowing Association (MRRA) will be ON THE WATER starting in April 2023. We have Learn To Row programs starting in June with sign-ups happening now.  

  • Learn To Row - SCULLING:  Meets on Tues and Thurs from 6:30 to 8:30pm, with two Saturday classes. No experience necessary. Sculling is your best option for rowing a single or in small groups.  Each rower in a sculling boat holds two oars.  More Information
  • Learn To Row - SWEEP: Monday and Wednesday, June 5th through July 12th (twelve sessions over six consecutive weeks, no class on Monday July 3rd.  No experience necessary.  This is team-oriented rowing in sweep boats that seat four or eight rowers with one oar each.  More Information
  • Masters Sweep:  Monday and Wednesday evenings starting in June, 6pm - 8pm.  Some prior sweep experience (high school, collegiate, or masters) is expected. More Information
  • Open Sweep: TBD.  If there is sufficient interest, MRRA typically supports an Open Sweep team of post-collegiate rowers who get together two or three times per week with coached or self-directed practices.  There is usally an intent to race in at least a few regional regattas during the summer and fall rowing seasons. More Information

We row out of the UMass/Lowell Bellegarde Boathouse 500 Pawtucket Blvd, Lowell MA.  For more information on our programs, visit the Programs and Fees page on our website.  For more info, contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Last Updated on Tuesday, 13 February 2024 15:28
 
Pulling for Polcari - Nov 21st at 7pm Print E-mail

Our dear friend Jim Polcari is battling serious lung cancer and needs our emotional and more importantly financial support. Please plan to join us on November 21st at a fundraiser for Jim and his young family. Follow the link below to the MRRA website where you can buy tickets or make a donation. If you have an auction or raffle item to donate, please contact Peg Landry at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

For more information and to RSVP or make a donation, please visit http://www.merrimackrowing.org/pulling-for-polcari.

Last Updated on Saturday, 16 January 2016 15:43
 
MRRA Competes in Head of the Charles Regatta Print E-mail

Good luck to our rowers who will be competing in the 51st Head of the Charles Regatta on October 17th and 18th.  Please come cheer on your teammates - pick a bridge or a nice embankment and give them your encouragement!

On Saturday, we have rowers in Events 3, 5, 13, 16, 17, 21 and 23. For possibly the first time ever, we have just as many sweep boats competing as scullers!

On Sunday we have event 32a in Mens Club 1X.

 

Last Updated on Friday, 08 February 2019 12:18
 
High School Racing in May - Rowing Restrictions Print E-mail
Dear MRRA
The following dates in May have rowing restrictions due to Lowell High School hosted regattas. 
The agreement is that MRRA boats are requested to be off the water and docks by the time boats are being launched (roughly 45 min before racing starts).  If you do still want to row, you must present yourself to Jess Hayes Murray who is the regatta director for the LHS races and let her know you would like to go for a row. Then, you are to check in with the Dockmaster and get the OK to launch and proceed upriver and past the power lines for your row.  When you return, you must stop at the DCR ramp or wherever the Sstarting Marshall is located and ask permission to return to the boathouse. When the starter says you may proceed, you row on the extreme starboard shore (South side of river) all the way to the end of the 2K course and cross the river after the race course (so at the Pavilion), and proceed back to the boathouse and docks.  Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. 
** If you have time and would like to help with any of these regattas, please contact Jess directly - help is always appreciated.
 
May 9th and 10th- Lowell Invitational. On Saturday racing starts at 8am, so off docks by 7am;  on Sunday off docks by 7:30am. Racing ends at 2pm on Sunday.
May 16th and 17th- US Rowing Junior Regional's.  Launch times TBD - expect off water by 6:30am.   
May 24th- MPSRA.  Racing starts at 8am so off docks by 7:15am 
 
Thank you for your cooperation.  Remember that you can still row, we just have to be very respectful and deferential to the races.
 
- Karen Scammell, MRRA President
Last Updated on Friday, 08 February 2019 12:23
 
MRRA Supports BOSTON 2024 and Olympic Rowing in Lowell Print E-mail

The Merrimac River Rowing Association has approved the support of BOSTON 2024 and Olympic Rowing in Lowell on the Merrimack River. 

We are proud of our beautiful river, fabulous spectator viewing area and plentiful parking.  We look forward to working with the USOC, USRowing and the local BOSTON 2024 organizing committee to ensure that the rowing venue is the best in the world!

Last Updated on Friday, 08 February 2019 12:22
 
Gear Up - MRRA Clothing for Sale Print E-mail

To place your order:  Use the PRINT icon above to print this page.  Then write your order on the back of the page; include your Name, Item(s), Size(s) and Quantities. Include a check with the page and leave it at the desk for Bronwyn or Dottie.   Quantities may be limited.

Vest.  Atlantic Blue shown- Also Available in Black
Vests: Ladies S-M-L- XL
Men's S-M-L-XL $60

Long Sleeve Performance. Silver: $19.50
Men's or Women's
S-M-L-XL

Back view on top, front view below.
  • Blue Lagoon Fitness Tee $30.00 these are thick with Poly
  • Blue Lagoon and Lime Shock cotton $18.00
Sizing: Men's and Women's S-M-L-XL
 
MRRA Hats. $15
Bumper Stickers. $ 2

Unisex Jacket. S-M-L-XL $55.00

 

Last Updated on Friday, 08 February 2019 12:21
 
Masters Rowing Programs Summer 2014 Print E-mail

The Merrimac River Rowing Association will be running several programs this summer -- please sign up on the left under Membership Application and also Programs & Fees:      Learn to Scull will start at the end of May and run for 4 weeks (2 rows/week) and Learn to Row Sweep will start mid-June and run for 4 weeks.  The Learn to Row Sweep is a special introductory price of $99 !!   Come row with us on Saturday June 7th for National Learn to Row day and sign up then!!

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 March 2019 13:50
 
MRRA Winter Club Meetings Print E-mail

MRRA regular club meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7pm.

During the winter, we will be meeting at the Chelmsford Police Station, training room.

* please do not park in the visitor spaces; park along the street and in the cul de sac

* winter meetings are Jan 14th, Feb 11th, March 11th

 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 March 2019 13:52
 
Lowell High May Racing Schedule and Call for HELP Print E-mail
It's that time of year... calling all rowers, alumni, parents, and friends to volunteer at the Lowell Rowing Regatta series. Any time you can come help out will be greatly appreciated! Dates are below, just shoot me a msg or text with the times you   can volunteer.                                                                                       
May 11th and 12th- Lowell Invitational from 8am- 6pm. MRRA off the docks by 7:30am.  Otherwise, rowing by permission of Jess Murray.    
May 18th and 19th- Regional's from 7am- 6pm.
May 26th- MPSRA from 8am-4pm.
 
Thanks
Jessica Murray
Lowell High School
Head Rowing Coach/ Boys Varsity Coach
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.LowellRowing.com
(978) 551- 3272 
 
Last Updated on Thursday, 09 May 2013 20:11
 
April Meeting: Boathouse 4/9 at 7pm Print E-mail

Please plan to attend the April meeting.    Safety video will be shown around 6:20pm.  Meeting starts at 7pm.  Primary agenda item is to approve the budget for 2013.  See the presentation under the March meeting minutes and be prepared, since this will not be reveiwed again.   Other items as needed. 

Last Updated on Wednesday, 13 March 2019 14:00
 
Open Sweep wins Gold Gold Bronze at Club Nationals Print E-mail

Congratulations to the MRRA Open Sweep (fondly referred to as the Thoroughbreds) for winning Gold in the 2- and 4- and also Bronze in the 4+.  Commentary from Mike below, and link to their blog

4- ::  We were neck and neck the whole way down the course with the USRowing Dev Camp Wisconsin boat, and the rest of the field was not far behind. In the final strokes we put together a sprint to take gold. The racing was tight in the heats too, we had to fight our way out of the straight 4 heat to make it into the final after a bad start. We all agreed the 4- heat and final were the best races we've ever been in.

Pair gold came just an hour and a half after the 4- final, we got ahead and stayed ahead beating some fresh guys as well as some pairs from the 4- race. We felt solidly in control the whole time, a handful of bursts kept our bow out front the whole way.
The coxed 4 heat was no easy cruise either. Coxed 4 final was a battle, but Washington and Wisconsin got the jump on us in the start and stayed ahead. We were able to secure bronze.
 
Unofficial/preliminary/comically edited video posted on http://thoroughblog.net/2012/07/16/club-nats-video/
 
 
Junior Sweep Camp Starts June 26th Print E-mail

Junior Sweep Camp for rising High School age students starts June 26th.  if you have trouble registering on the website, please just go to the boathouse at 7:45am to register. The program runs from 8am to 10am Tues - Wed - Thurs each week.  No rowing week of July 2nd.  contact Denise Bergeron for more info at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

 
Masters Sweep - Starting Monday May 7th, 5:30pm Print E-mail

The MRRA Masters Sweep program will start up on Monday afternoon, May 7th at 5:30pm.   We will run Mondays/Wednesdays at that time for 8 weeks and a total of 16 sessions.   Coach Dan Hershey will guide us for the first week or two, then Coach James Gilchrest will take over for the duration of the season into the fall.   Boat class is yet to be determined;  we'll know better after we see how many have signed up.   Ideally, we'll have sufficient numbers to run an 8 and a 4+, and we also have a 2- available for the program.

The MSWEEP season is broken into three programs, each costs $160 for 16 sessions.

Here's how to sign up for "MSWEEP":

  • If you are a returning member from last year, log in to your MRRA account, go to My Membership, then "choices" and choose "MSWEEP1".   You can optionally sign up for MSWEEP2 and MSWEEP3 if you know you want to be part of all three programs this season, but you don't need to pay for all three at once.
  • If you are not yet a member, create a Membership Application.   After you submit your application, you can then login to your account and make your program choices.
  • NOTE:  You must be a member to be part of MSWEEP, so when making your choices, be sure to choose "MEMBERSHIP" in addition to MSWEEP1.
  • NOTE:  If you are eligible to scull with the MRRA (you have passed the boat captain's test), you are eligible to sign up for "off peak sculling" for $100 which allows you to take out singles and doubles during off-peak hours.   Choose the "LOGBOOKOS" option for $100.  (For unrestricted sculling, you can choose the standard LOGBOOK program for $250).

Finally, complete your paperwork.   Bring a check and your paperwork to the first session on Monday May 7th, and do your administrator a favor by enclosing all of your paperwork in a single envelope with your name on it.  Checks should be made out to "MRRA".   At minimum, you will need to e-sign your membership application online, have a valid Swim Certificate on file, and complete the UML boathouse application.  For the complete list of required paperwork, visit the "billing" tab from My Membership.

Visit the MRRA Masters Sweep web page for more information.  If you have any questions, please write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

See you on the 7th at the boathouse at 5:30pm sharp.  

Last Updated on Saturday, 28 April 2012 10:03
 
Row With Us! Print E-mail

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

  • 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.

Last Updated on Thursday, 07 April 2022 11:45