The Sarasota 5000 regatta is based at Blackburn Point Park, just east of the historic swing bridge

This is the first regatta of the Fall Head Season and is considered a "Kick Off" to the racing season

The course is approximately 4700 meters in length

Teams launch from either Fishermans Island or Dryman Island on either side of swing bridge

Starting line is approximately at Marker 16 of Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

Finish Line is just south of Fishermans Island - Blackburn Point Park.

Bring folding chairs, picnic blankets and binoculars for best views

Free Spectator Boats available on limited basis

Rowing is one of the oldest Olympic sports.

Rowing originated as a means of transport
in the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Rowers represented the third largest U.S. delegation
to the Olympic Games in 2000.

The first intercollegiate rowing race
was between Harvard and Yale in 1852.

Some physiologists claim rowing a 2,000-meter race
is equal to playing back-to-back basketball games.

Dr. Benjamin Spock, the famous baby doctor, was an
Olympic rower in 1924 and won a gold medal in the eight.

Gregory Peck rowed at the University of California in 1937.

This is a very well marked course, is fairly straight, and is a great course for novice rowers and coxswains

Race officials will be on the water (in boats) directing traffic

Racers will row south on the West side of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and warm on approach to starting line

Racers will be aligned by official control boat near Start Line

Racers accelerate through Starting Line Chute and time is marked as they cross Start Line

Racers row northward toward Blackburn Point Park, maintaining course via buoys & markers on east side of ICW

There is a No Passing Zone at approx the 2/3rds point of the course