RACE LOCATIONS

 

Although there are multiple racing venues in New England, BLS Crew races and regattas usually take place in one of three locations:

 

BLS Boathouse (Charles River)

 

Please drop off your rower at the BLS Boathouse parking lot at the arrival time specified on the Race Tracker.

 

Depending on the race, families are invited to watch the race in one of a few different locations:

 

If the race ends at Magazine Beach, families will either gather on the beach or watch the race from the River St. or Western Ave bridges. Since there is limited parking available at Magazine Beach, families will sometimes park in the Micro Center parking lot at their own risk. It is also possible to walk or ride bikes along the river path (a roughly 45-50 minute walk) or along Western Avenue (a 25 minute walk) to view the race.

 

If the race takes place in the Basin, near the MIT Boathouse (this is rare), it is easiest to view the race near the Mass Ave bridge, although parking is much more limited.  

 

Race-day potlucks at the Charles River will be held at the BLS Boathouse. Feel free to drop off any food at the BLS tent (which will be set up in front of the boathouse) before heading downriver to cheer on your rower.

 

Lowell (Merrimack River)

 

Although the races start past the bridge on the other side of the UMASS Lowell boathouse, BLS tries to set up tents, tables, and grills next to the finish line (just before the Sampas Pavillion in the Lowell Heritage State Park.)

 

Regatta Parking is available for a 20$ fee, although families can sometimes find street parking closer to the BLS tents on the far side of the street (riverside parking is reserved for team trailers).

 

Families and rowers are welcome to hang out and cheer on the team at the BLS tents. As regattas are often all-day affairs, we usually bring out the grill for a hot breakfast and/or lunch.

 

Worcester (Lake Q.) 

 

There are two possible race locations on Lake Q: Regatta Point Park and the Donohue Rowing Center.

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Regatta Point Park

This location charges both a parking fee and a walk-on entry donation. The good news is that it’s super easy to park in the UMass Memorial Hospital Parking Garage (up the hill to your left at the roundabout.)

 

These regattas tend to be really crowded, and there can be some confusion over where to watch the race. The Regatta Committee will arrive as early as possible (sometimes the day before!) to try to set up the BLS tents in our usual location near the boat launch.

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Donohue Rowing Center

The rowing center (237 N Quinsigamond Ave, Shrewsbury, MA 01545) is on the other side of the lake from Regatta Point Park. Space is limited, so make sure to look for the purple tents. 

 

The parking rules are pretty strict: "No parking of any kind is permitted at the postal facility. No athletes, no coaches, and no parents. Vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. No visitor parking in the Boathouse lot. See Parking Map for parking availability."