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Regatta History | From the Director
The South Eastern Regional Collegiate Sprints regatta was founded in the spring of 2000. Numerous highly-competitive collegiate crew teams from all across the Southeast gather each year and show their skills at the first major competition of the new year.
The course in Elberton served as the training site for the 1996 summer Olympics teams as they came to compete at the Clark's Bridge Rowing Facility in Gainesville, GA. An immaculate course design was implemented for several years following its original use by the Olympic teams, but unfortunately was left to deteriorate over time. Four members of Georgia crew attempted to reuse what was left of the original course while making the modifications necessary to lie out a very straightforward 2000-meter course. The last thousand meters were easily visible from the viewing area along the shores from which crews launched and returned making for great spectator participation.
SERCS has become the largest sprint regatta in the southeast prior to SIRA, which is considered a Regional competition held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Sixteen teams filled the water with racing shells from places near and far. Teams included Georgia State, Georgia Tech, University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Alabama, Auburn University, Emory University, Rinehart College, Skidmore College and Manhattan College (both from New York).
Not only does this regatta provide for great fun and competition among collegiate athletes, but also serves as the Georgia Crew's largest fund raiser of the year. The team recognized approximately $8000 of support, applied directly to the purchase of two new boats as well as other expenses for both the Women's and Men's team.
Keep an eye out for future SERCS regattas as the competition and publicity of the event grows stronger. The SERCS team and the University of Georgia Crew Team appreciate your support and hope to see on the water!
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On behalf of the event staff and the UGA Rowing Team, I would like to welcome you to the 5th annual SERCS Regatta! In order to assist with the growing popularity of the race each year, we have added the ability to complete the majority of the required forms online. Please visit the forms section for details.
I would like to thank all of the people who volunteered their time at our previous SERCS regattas. Our past competitions were a big success for all of the rowers, organizers and the Elberton community. It could not have been possible without your assistance.
The venue is in Aiken, SC., a different location from the regattas held in years past. With the continued growth of rowing in the Southeast, we expect this yearfs regatta to be even bigger, with a larger number of entries and competitors from across the Southeast.
If you would like to be a part of this year's event, there are a number of volunteer positions available. Among other duties, we will need help with:
Setup
Parking
Merchandise
Weigh-in Control
Dock Assistants
Awards Ceremony
Runners
In addition, we will need help with pre-regatta paperwork, mailings, phone calls, etc. If you would like to take part in the fun of putting on this year's 5th annual SERCS race, please contact me at your convenience.
Sincerely yours,
John Ewing
SERCS Director
jmewing
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