Regatta location change

The 45th Annual Mid American Collegiate Rowing Association (MACRA) Championships will be relocated to Bass River Quarry in Ottawa County, due to flooding on the Grand River. The regatta will be held on Saturday May 2 and run all day until 5:00PM. The straight six laned 1850 meter, partially buoyed course is run with no current and is not affected by boat traffic. The entire course can be viewed from the Bass River Recreation Area.

The MACRA Regatta was founded in the spring of 1965 by the Purdue University Crew Club to foster rowing in the Midwest. Since the founding of the Association, the regatta has moved throughout the Midwest. This year it will be hosted by Grand Valley State University with aid from Michigan State University. The regatta will see more than 18 universities including the University of Michigan, Central Michigan, Ohio State, Eastern Michigan, and University of Dayton.

The Midwest is home to some of the nation’s top varsity club teams. University of Michigan's men holds the No. 1 men's varsity club title in the nation and Grand Valley State University’s men are No. 2. Grand Valley's women's team holds the No. 1 varsity club position. This weekend will see not only top club competitors but also varsity programs such as Mercyhurst and Eastern Michigan. This year, the regatta will see many new trophies for the events. Medals will be distributed to the top three competitors in each event.

Spectators can find regatta information on the Grand Valley Rowing Team Web site, www.grandvalleyrowing.com . T-Shirts and detailed programs will be sold the day of the event.