- Provide a forum for the UCI rowing community
- Organize support for the program
- Recognize the athletic and academic achievements of UCI student-rowers
- Ensure that the UCI Rowing program remains a prominent fixture of the UC Irvine campus community
We welcome all who share these goals and will help work towards them. We particularly welcome families of UCI rowers, community boosters and members of the UCI Recreation Department, administration, faculty and staff.
We encourge all Alumni and other Friends to demonstrate their support for the program by attending UCI rowing events; supporting our coaches in the development of fine student-athletes; providing financial and other material support to the program; and answering the call when additional help is needed.
In response to UCI Rowing being discontinued as a varsity sport and transitioning to Club status in the summer of 2010, the Friends organization formalized its structure to provide support to the program. Specifically, we became a California corporation; filed with the IRS to become a 501c(3) charity to receive tax-deductible contributions; established bank and PayPal accounts to accept donations to the Crew; and named a Board of Directors.
In addition to fundraising, we are organized to provide the following additional types of service to the program, in coordination with our coaches. All Alumni and other Friends of the UCI Crew are welcome and encouraged to be active with the organization.
The Board Alumni are currently working with Campus Rec in an effort (i) to improve the quality and scope of the equipment and facilities at the boathouse on Shellmaker Island and for a new boathouse to replace the “temporary” facility first constructed in 1965 on Shellmaker Island.
Website
This website was created by the Alumni and is currently maintained exclusively by them. However, the website’s success depends on the use and input by current rowers, coaches and Friends. This website may also serve as a point of coordination for the additional online information about the program currently dispersed across the web. Additional volunteer help to maintain the website is welcome. Contact David Heimerl if you are interested!
Special Events
In addition to the regular intercollegiate races, every year UCI Alumni and Friends gather at these special events. We hope you’ll join us.
- Turkey Day. Every November, current rowers, parents, families, friends, and alumni gather as we cook and serve an outdoor lunch feast to rival Thanksgiving. Come hungry! The feast begins upon completion of the annual Newport Autumn Rowing Festival.
- UC Irvine Rowing Class Day Races. Class Day Races are an annual tradition, which provide alumni and current rowers the chance to compete side-by-side in several sprint races up and down North Lido Channel. It’s always fun to get back in and row—some get better with age!
Please contact us with questions, mark your calendars, and we look forward to you seeing you at our gatherings!
Both crews row out of the UCI Boathouse, located on Shellmaker Island about 4 miles from campus. The Crews practice in Newport Bay, one of the most beautiful marinas on the West Coast. UCI’s 2000 meter home race course is located on Lido Channel, the “main street” of Newport Bay.
Each year between 55 and 70 student-athletes compete for both Men’s and Women’s Crews. Like other top schools across the country, a large portion of UCI’s student-rowers did not compete in rowing prior to starting university. As such, Rowing provides a unique intercollegiate sport experience such that novice rowers as freshman may become national champions and be well on their way to Olympic teams at the end of their university careers.
UCI’s Men’s Rowing does not offer athletic scholarships. Although some financial support for the programs is received through the UCI Recreation Department, substantial funds must be raised yearly by the athletes themselves and in contributions from Alumni, family and friends.
UCI Rowing is an academically focused club sports program with an emphasis on excellence in all university pursuits.
The Crew boasts successes on the water and in the classroom. Alumni continue on to graduate and professional schools and some achieve the highest level of university academic success and prominence.
UCI annually races the crews from five other UC campuses (UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis, UC Berkely); Pac-10 schools (USC, University of Washington, Oregon State University, etc.); and local universities (Long Beach State University, San Diego State University, University of San Diego, Loyola-Marymount University, etc.).
The Men’s Crew travels yearly to regattas throughout California. In previous years, crews have travelled to the East Coast for national championship regattas and to the prestigious Royal Henley Regatta on the Thames River, England.
At UCI, rowing is a year-long commitment. Practices begin in the Fall and continue throughout the school year. The Crew typically has 8 supervised practices per week including 6 on-water and 2 off-water sessions. Student-athletes may also integrate unsupervised training sessions with their class schedules. Some preliminary competitions are held in late Fall and early Winter, but the major collegiate races occur in the Spring. Student-rowers often continue to train during the summer and compete in national and international competitions usually held in July or August.
The Men’s Crew competes through the Western Intercollegiate Rowing Association (WIRA). The national championship for Men’s Rowing is administered through the Intercollegiate Rowing Association (IRA).
We appreciate your interest in UCI Rowing, and thank you for your support to the student-athletes and the programs.
Please contact us if you have questions or would like additional information about contributing to UCI Rowing.
