Stotesbury Cup Regatta 2024: What to know ahead of the nation’s largest high school rowing competition
More than 900 boats from schools around the country will return to the Schuylkill on Friday and Saturday for the 97th annual regatta.
The annual Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the world’s oldest and largest high school rowing competition, will return to the Schuylkill on Friday and Saturday for its 97th year.
With more than 900 boats entered, the event will begin with time trials on Friday. Semifinals will pick up in the afternoon and end Saturday, with finals starting at noon. The semifinals will determine the six boats that will compete in each final.
Last year, St. Joseph’s Prep took home the overall championship for medals, while Mount St. Joseph Academy took second and Gonzaga College High School of Washington, D.C., third.
Here’s a look at what to know about the event, and if you plan to attend, what to know before you go.
When is the regatta?
It starts at 8 a.m. Friday and again on Saturday, with the last race scheduled to end around 5:20 p.m. The event is free.
How to get there — and is there parking?
The event is held on the Schuylkill River along Kelly Drive, with the main attractions by Gillin Boathouse.
Vehicles should park at off-site lots (located on the map) by the racecourse on the East Plateau. The standard parking fee is $20 to $25.
The races
For the senior four and eight boats, the top 18 from the time trials will advance to three semifinals.
For all other events with more than 12 entries, the top 12 advance to two semifinals. For events with more than 29 entries, the top 18 advance to three semifinals.
Each semifinal race usually has six boats in a heat.
If there are two semifinals for a given boat category, the top three boats from each semifinal will compete in the final. If there are three semifinals, the top two from each advance to the final.
Who’s taking part?
More than 100 schools are scheduled to participate in the event. Some of the local schools competing are St. Joseph’s Prep, Germantown Friends, Penn Charter, Germantown Academy, Springside Chestnut Hill, and La Salle College High School.
Several schools from outside the state will compete, including Woodson High School and Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax County, Va., two of the major preparatory rowing programs in the country.
Where to live-stream
Both days of the regatta will be live-streamed via YouTube through the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia. Additionally, race results will be posted on the rowtown.org website.