Oak Hollow Lake, High Point, NC – The High Point Autumn Rowing Festival has been postponed to October 10 due to weather threats associated with Hurricane Joaquin, regatta officials have announced.
Previously billed as the largest rowing event ever to take place in North Carolina, the regatta had expected some 160 boats from across North Carolina and surrounding states to Oak Hollow Lake on Saturday. Regatta co-chairs Mary Hollingsworth and Gene Kininmonth made the decision to postpone the event by one week following the governor’s declaration of the State of Emergency in North Carolina, and the scratching of several large teams.
“We initially had concerns about our ability to host a safe and fair race,” said Kininmonth. “Those concerns quickly expanded to the safety of rowing teams travelling to and from High Point with serious flooding expected in the region this weekend.”
With the regatta postponed to October 10, Kininmonth said he expects to see most teams still participating. “We have unfortunately lost the Atlanta Juniors Crew, which has another race commitment in Tennessee next week but we have heard from most of the other programs and expect to have over 100 boat entries next weekend.”
One change associated with the postponement is that crews will now launch from Festival Park on Oak Hollow Lake. Visiting teams and spectators should use 1841 Eastchester Dr, High Point, NC 27265.
The festival has attracted a number of marquis college names this weekend including local favorite High Point University, as well as UNC, NC State and Davidson College.
Also competing are Masters (adult) and youth programs from Atlanta, Raleigh, Charlotte and Asheville.
Racing on October 10 begins at 10am and runs through 3:30pm. Following the races the famous High Point Duck will return to shore for children’s photographs. The regatta is open to the general public and admission is free. Limited free parking is also available. Oak Hollow Lake will be closed to fishing boats during the boat races.
MEDIA: PRESS INFORMATION
Media Center
Media headquarters for the 2015 Rowing Festival will be the Media Center at
Oak Hollow Lake. The Media Center is equipped with Wi-Fi access. The Media Center will also accommodate interviews at the conclusion of each event. Race winners will be brought to the interview area for media access. Limited parking is available for daily print, online and television media (advance notice requested). All television stations that will be bringing in satellite trucks should call Gene Kininmonth (office: 336-257-9009) to arrange for vehicle access.
Photographers
Photographers wishing to obtain action shots on the racecourse may be accommodated in a media boat on a first-come, first-served basis. The media boat will be restricted to designated sections of the course and cannot “race” to keep pace with competing boats. Please arrive at the Media Center 60 minutes before you need to be on the water.