Competitors in the United States Rowing Association Southwest Masters Regional Championships power their way across Lake Merritt in a 1,000-meter sprint, Sunday, July 11, 2010, in Oakland, Calif. (picture by D. Ross Cameron/Tribune Staff)
The Lake Merritt Rowing Club hosted this year's United States Rowing Association Southwest Masters Regional Championships, drawing 840 athletes and almost 530 boats, mostly from California, Oregon and Arizona, a race official said. The turnout was more than 100 athletes larger than last year.
"The Bay Area is really the epicenter of rowing in California," said Paul Wilkins, program coordinator for USRowing. "And Oakland has two spectacular places to row: Lake Merritt's one, and the other is the Jack London Aquatic Center. Really, this town is one of the best places to row in the whole country."
The Lake Merritt Rowing Club has a rowing class for beginners starting Saturday, which will run three weekends. For details, call Watt at 510-526-5958 or go online to http://www.rowlakemerritt.org/.
Story By Sean Maher, Oakland Tribune http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_15492690
