Coastweeks Regatta Returns
The 29th Coastweeks Regatta returns on the beautiful Mystic River!
Previously hosted by the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Coastweeks Regatta has been one of the first head races of the fall rowing calendar for 28 years. This year, Stonington Community Rowing, Inc. will host the much-anticipated return of this beloved regatta from the new Jim Dietz Rowing Center and Hart Perry Boathouse located at the Mystic River Boathouse Park.
About Us
Our members include scullers of all ages and skill levels who are interested in rowing locally in southeastern Connecticut on the Mystic River. Some are former collegiate sweep oarsmen and women, others found the sport later in life, while youngsters who aspire to row in high school and college find sculling the perfect preparation.
Mystic River Rowing is an association of rowers that is hosted by the Naik Family Branch of the Ocean Community YMCA, located off Masons Island Road, Mystic, CT on 22 acres of waterfront property known as William’s Beach.
Rowing on the Mystic
The YMCA offers boat storage for single or double shells, and a sandy, riverside beach for wade-in launches and freshwater wash-down facilities. Inside the Y are locker room facilities, weights and Concept 2 ergometers. Our usual 7-mile round trip course stretching from Y’s beach to the head of the river in Old Mystic and back takes us through a scenic, no-wake zone of the river, past the Mystic Seaport museum harbor and many stately homes.
The early morning sculler rarely encounters a power boat but is likely to see osprey, kingfishers, loons, duck, geese, egrets, bitterns and heron. For experienced scullers familiar with the weather, waters and tides, a favorite row circumnavigates Masons Island past the monastery on Enders Island, west into Noank harbor and back up the Mystic River to William’s Beach.
Rowing for All
Sculling lessons are offered at the YMCA once a summer, using stable recreational shells. The YMCA has a limited number of recreational and racing singles and oars that may be lent to scullers who gain proficiency but do not yet own their own equipment. Vacationing visitors to the area who are already proficient scullers may also contact the group to borrow equipment and arrange for short-term river access.
All of our training and shared equipment has been donated by private individuals who want to encourage the growth of rowing in southeastern Connecticut and neighboring Rhode Island. If you own a sculling boat in good repair that is not getting the use it deserves, please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Naik Family Branch YMCA.
Our Programs
Mystic River Rowing provides rowing opportunities for scullers of all levels, novice to elite.
Most MRR members row during the summer alone, or in informal groups, either in the early morning or late afternoon. However, there is a general calendar of events associated with and/or assisted by members of MRR.
Novice/Beginners
Our very popular “Learn to Scull Clinic” is held once each summer (mid-June). This one-week (Monday – Friday) program is open to adults and youngsters age 14 and up. Maximum 5 participants. Registration is through the YMCA.
Group and Individual Rowing
Once adults and youngsters have completed the Learn to Scull Program and/or demonstrated adequate competency, they may join our group rows several mornings each week. Our intermediate and elite scullers are welcome to row individually, using our community equipment or their private equipment.
General Calendar of Events
End of March /Early April – Rowing Begins (weather dependent)
June – Learn to Scull Class (sign up with YMCA )
September – Coastweeks Regatta
November – End of Season Gathering
Membership
All regular Mystic River Rowers must be members of both the Naik Family Branch YMCA/Ocean Community YMCA and Mystic River Rowing, an intra-club of the YMCA. Our Learn to Scull Program are open to Y members and non-members, however Y members’ fees are discounted.
Short-term, non-local guests who row with the Mystic River Rowers for up to one week may do so as guests but are expected to make a contribution to the Y.
Mystic River Rowing membership entitles members to use our community boats and oars, launch off the beach and store a private boat, subject to availability and storage fees.
YMCA Membership
Contact the YMCA for their current membership fees.
Club Fees
Individual: $175.00
With Boat Rack Storage: $225.00
Contact Us
Come join us on the Mystic River!
Naik Family Branch, Ocean Community YMCA, 1 Harry Austin Drive, Mystic, CT 06355
Tom Sanford
Club Co-Lead
Janis Mink
Club Co-Lead
Tara King Clark
Webmaster
