SEATTLE – Washington Rowing will hold its annual banquet under the new name "Washington Rowing Banquet", on Friday, March 24, to kick off the 2017 rowing season. The event will feature its keynote speakers Eric Cohen, '82, Washington Rowing's Historian and writer for the Board of Stewards and Gail Stewart Bowser, '84, the captain and stroke of the 1984 national championship eight.
A cocktail reception will be held from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the Conibear Shellhouse with a hosted bar and light appetizers. Following the reception, the Washington Rowing Banquet will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Don James Center in Husky Stadium. The Banquet includes a program that will feature Cohen's remarks. If needed, a complimentary shuttle service will be provided between the venues.
The 116th Class Day Regatta is the main event on Saturday, March 25, and will kick off at 10 a.m. It will be followed immediately by the Post-Race Barbecue in the Conibear Shellhouse, beginning around 11 a.m. Class Day Awards begin at about 11:30 a.m.
Prior to the Class Day racing, a tribute row will be held for the 50th reunion of the 1967 crew. All members of the '67 class are welcome to join for breakfast and an easy paddle along the Cut at 7 a.m.
To watch the Class Day Regatta from the water, families and friends can join the Class Day "Cruise with Croissants" aboard the Argosy Goodtime II for a tour around Laurelhurst, Sand Point, and Medina and then an up close and personal view of the Class Day races through the Montlake Cut. Boat boarding begins at 8 a.m. Departure is at 8:15 a.m.
The Women's Alumnae Race will be held on Saturday morning. The event is free and open to all former UW female rowers. The race will begin at 8 a.m., and participants should arrive at 6 a.m. at Conibear to prepare for a 7 a.m. launch.
For additional event and registration information, visit WashingtonRowing.com.