LAKE STEVENS — The city will host the Northwest Collegiate Rowing Conference Division II and III Championships, called the Cascade Sprint, for the third time Saturday.
There are eight schools in the conference, and three or four additional schools usually are invited, said Bob Cummins, president of the rowing club.
The conference schools are Humboldt State University, Willamette University, Lewis &Clark College, University of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle University and Western Washington University. Others that could compete are University of Oregon, Portland State University, University of Portland, Evergreen State College and Everett Community College.
There are eight lanes in the race course, and the additional schools can participate if any lanes are open.
Competition in the 200-meter race will be primarily four- and eight-person shells (rowing boats) in varsity, junior varsity and novice levels for men and women, and a few light-weight events, Cummins said.
The first race will start between 8:30 and 9 a.m., and other races will begin every 15 minutes after that. The last race is set to finish at 3 p.m.
The racing shells only have about seven inches of freeboard, the portion of the boat above the water. The rowers like Lake Stevens because the water usually is flat.
"If the waves are over seven inches high, (the water) starts coming into the boat. At that time of year it tends to be pretty good conditions," Cummins said.
Viewers can watch the race for free. The swimming beach on N. Shore Drive is a good place, and the eastbound lane of N. Shore will be closed so viewers can park along the lake. There is limited parking downtown and a large parking area at the intersection of 20th Street NE and Hartford Road.
VillageFest, a small community festival, also is scheduled for the regatta weekend. The festival includes about 20 food, craft and information booths with interactive displays on health and safety issues. The festival showcases community resources. It will be on Main Street between the library and City Hall. The festival is sponsored by the Lake Stevens Family Center, a part of Lutheran Community Services Northwest.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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