Race Around the Rock: Small Club – Big Race

If you haven’t participated in Race Around the Rock, you are missing out on one of the most unique regattas out there. The 88km relay course has crews swapping out at various points while circumnavigating Salt Spring Island. While some teams pass the boat to new crew members at each of the 9 legs, some will combine into 4 or 5 longer legs. And in one instance, a crew of university rowers and Olympians did the whole 88km non-stop!

For those that do trade out rowers, the race becomes part rowing and part road trip as teams coordinate who will drive whose car to the next stop. Driving around to different parts of the scenic island with a local coffee in hand and friends/crewmates in the vehicle is pretty nice way to spend the time before/after/between your rows.

Start planning for this race early. You’ll need to organize enough rowers to ensure the total distance for each crew or athlete is manageable for them. A big decision is whether to row a double or coxed quad. This can depend on the number of rowers on your team and your comfort with coastal rowing. Be sure to secure a coastal boat if your club doesn’t have them. The Local Organizing Committee/Salt Spring Island Rowing Club can point you in the right direction.

In 2024 the race was attended by folks at Steady State Network, a US based rowing podcast company. Along with creating great, community based podcasts on a variety of rowing topics, Steady State also pulls together crews to race as “Allies with Oars” to promote inclusion and accessibility for all rowers, regardless of gender identity.

You can listen to Steady State’s Club Spotlight episode on Salt Spring Island Rowing Club, including some background on the Race Around the Rock.