Junior Rowing: Lido Chase Opens the Season

Sunday, October 4, marked the first organized competition of the 2026–2027 Junior Rowing season!

Newport Aquatic Center hosted San Diego Rowing Club for the Lido Chase, a 3,000-meter head race in Newport Harbor. It was the first opportunity for our crews to race in official lineups and put their early-season training to the test.

The Race Course

The course began near the western end of Lido Isle. Crews raced along the island’s north side, rounded its eastern end, and passed under the Pacific Coast Highway bridge before following the channel toward the finish near NAC.

The course required more than power. Rowers worked to maintain a steady rhythm through the turns, while coxswains managed steering, communicated clearly, and kept their crews focused.

In a head race, boats start one at a time and are timed from start to finish, with the fastest time winning each event. These fall races typically range from 3,000 to 5,000 meters and complement our training focus on refining technique and building physical conditioning.

The Racing

NAC crews delivered a strong showing, with the men’s and women’s teams both taking first place in the U19 8+ events.

Our novice programs also had an encouraging start. With most of these athletes rowing for just three or four weeks, Sunday was their first chance to experience competition and put their new skills into practice. NAC’s top Men’s Novice 8+ finished second, while the top Women’s Novice 8+ finished third.

Across the program, the day gave athletes and coaches a chance to see how crews performed in race conditions and identify what to build on in the coming weeks. Thank you to San Diego Rowing Club for making the trip up and joining us on the water!

Up Next

The entire Junior Rowing Program will travel to Sacramento in three weeks to compete at the Head of the American regatta, closing out our fall racing season.