Atomic City Talk

The US Rowing Masters National Championship was held this past weekend and our hosting the event got glowing reports according to the Oak Ridger.

Comments included raves about the beauty of the course, the lack of competing boat traffic, the calm, wind-protected water, the harbor, and ample space for boat and trailer storage right at the site. There was also praise about the unique site which lets you see the whole course, the referee's work and the community support.

Previous estimates for the economic impact of rowing events released by the visitor's bureau, show an assumption of 4 rowers per room. This is a reasonable estimate for college kids, but the Masters would not pack themselves in this way and would give an even higher contribution. The 2004 estimate that rowing injects $3.6M directly into the Oak Ridge economy indicates that our naturally unique course is a wonderful asset for the community.

It looks like the rowers from around the world had a wonderful time here!

I agree. It was a great event. What a wonderful asset the Rowing Course is to this city. My observation was that most of the participants were college age or slightly older. I heard that the new Staybridge Hotel was over 90% occupied last week.

I was invited to eat at the Double Tree and saw perhaps 30 rowers entering the hotel during the hour or so I was there. They were arriving in private cars rather than by the bus load which is the hallmark of the college teams. Several of these cars had racks on them that were carrying one or two boats. These rowers were a bit older than your average.

Similar situation at the Flatwater on Thursday night. There was a table of 21 rowers next to us. They all appeared to be in there early 20s. I saw university trailers from Rhode Island and NewYork but most looked to be club trailers.

I get a kick out of ignoring the detour signs and driving through there. Seeing the riverfront so hopping, watching all the people, is really cool.

Me too! It's really a flurry of activity down there during a regatta. Sometimes we walk the pup through there to get even closer to all the action.

It was a Masters regatta, so doesn't that mean not in college?

Yes, I believe that is the case. However, that probably meant that a club (say of graduate students or faculty) might have used the school's trailer and boats.