Events

Slocum River Regatta

SAVE THE DATE!

3rd Annual Slocum River Regatta
"Southern New England's Fall Rowing & Paddling Festival"

Date: Saturday, September 20th, 2008
Location: Slocum River Estuary, Dartmouth, Massachusetts

Slocum River Regatta Races On Despite Early Rainy Weather (2007)
Article & photos by Daniel H. King, Staff Writer, The Chronicle

Saturday morning was raw and rainy, one of those ideal mornings to sleep in, tucked quietly under down comforters and soft sheets, but not for all the boaters involved with the Slocum River Regatta. For them, it was just another day at the races.

The rain at Demarest Lloyd State Park may have dampened clothes and kept cameras covered, but it did not keep attendees away. The Second Annual Slocum River Regatta had 79 entry vessels and well over 100 entrants from whale boats to racing shells, recreational shells to kayaks - even rowboats, and they were all there, ready to row.

“We’re happy with the weather,” said the Executive Director of the Lloyd Center for the Environment D’Arcy MacMahon. Despite what one may think, the Director explained that the rain was not a problem, and that calmer winds made the weather this year better than last year’s.

“It’s not the rain we’re worried about,” added Mr. MacMahon, “it’s the wind. These scullers are used to rowing on water that’s like mirrors.” The director’s concerns were clear to the participants, armed with optimism that seemed oblivious to the rain.

First-time kayak participant Chris Dacey of Dartmouth, suggested, “It’s a good thing for a novice kayaker because it’s not that intimidating.”  Along with most of the other rowers, he did not even seem to notice the rain.

As preliminary preparations for the river race were carried out, Mr. MacMahon explained, “The purpose of the Regatta is to draw attention to the wonderful Slocum River estuary.” He also pointed out that “everybody in the Regatta is an environmentalist of some type.” He took it one step further, adding, “We view this as growing our band of nature protectors.”

Mr. MacMahon said this event is not currently a fund-raiser, but it may become on in the future. “The purpose is to have fun and help protect our river. They’re doing this because they know it’s important to the Lloyd Center to have the support of the community,” he concluded. 

After a varying flow of mist and rain, the nature protectors in turn received their protection. As the race began and continued on the weather improved, the rain floated upward rather than falling and the wind remained away. The people came out to watch and cheer as the race got underway.

Though there were very few public viewing spots, some residents opened their homes and shared their riverfront property to make the Regatta more reachable. From a riverside vantage, one could see the speed with which the scullers traversed the calm river, and notice in the distance the aid of the harbor master helping one overturned individual.

You could see the antique mahogany rowing shells made in England and only recently introduced to America. The two very distinct boats “spent most of their life in Argentina at a river,” noted Padanaram resident Dave Hall.

Of all the rowers, and scullers, and kayakers, and antique boats, the whale boats received the largest cheers. The whale boats’ hefty masses moved along the Slocum River swiftly with their stern leadership and punctuated teamwork.

That teamwork was a microcosm of the race: people working together for one goal and, despite challenges, keeping in mind that together we get farther and accomplish more than going it alone.

The Slocum River Regatta may have had rain on its rower’s parade, but it didn’t drown any of the fun.

View 2007 Race Results 

2007 Photos