Overview 
Welcome
What is the Challenge?
The Challenge is unique in many ways. It was first course design that allows all types of racing shells to complete a race track circuit without stopping. This design not only provides for a great deal of excitement to the traditional head race but allows everyone to clearly understand the results of the race as it happens! Each year the Challenge contributes most of its profits to a grant program that supports paddling sports throughout the region.
Why are we different?
Most small rowing regattas don't take their role seriously. We do! Our goal is to be the best athlete-first event in the region. We pride ourselves on being one of the first regattas to:
Offer free entries to large teams(see rules) and course record holders(see deadline rules) Design a race course that allows you to race more than once! Pay and submit your waiver online via www.roninregistration.com Custom Medals and Trophies! If we cancel before the event start, your fees are returned! Real-Time results onsite and to your phone via text! Great food and discounted parking for large teams! Course Design
Designed to fully challenge crews, this course provides each rower and coxswain with a fully buoyed course with several turns which allow crews and scullers to start and finish at the same location. Starting at Sandy Run Regional Park (on the Prince William Side of the River), the course winds its way down river towards the 2000 m race course starting line. Halfway through the race, crews will be required to complete a wide, quarter mile long 180-degree turn to finish the final leg of the race. By allowing crews to safely start and finish at the same location, rowers can get a clearer idea as to how the race is going as they are racing. It also provides spectators several excellent locations to watch crews both at the start and finish of each race. To learn more about our course design see our map under Sculler and Coxswain notes.
Awards
Awards will be given to all first all sculling and sweep divisions. You must beat a competitor in your event in order to receive a medal. Events that contain more than 18 entries will be awarded a second place medals. Events with more than 22 entries, a third place medal.
The Challenge also awards trophies for most events. We will add a new trophy each year until all nine events are represented. There are currently eleven trophies representing several sculling and sweep events.
Register Now 
Register Now
Course Map
Registration Questions
The Occoquan Challenge only accepts online entries until September 28, 2012. You can register online using RONIN Registration online interface that allows you to submit entry forms, sign waivers and pay online.
Register at any time by clicking on this LINK
Event Descriptions:
Open: No restrictions.
Club Level: Persons that, for the past three years have not finished in the top five places at National or International Race(Example: DadVail, IRA, Head of the Charles)
Junior : Must be less than 19 years of age the day of the regatta. No College Students may participate.
Master : Each competitor must be at least 22 years of age AND the average age of each boat MUST be 30 or over. This does NOT include the coxswain. Age categories are broken up based upon ten year increments (30+, 40+, 50+, 60+) and based number of entries.
Lightweight: Must be at or below 165 pounds for men, 135 pounds for women. No averaging. We do NOT weigh-in crews or singles scullers- honor system.
Half Course Scullers Event: Special event only for scullers who have participated in the full course event held earlier in the day. All scullers will be ranked based upon their morning results and will be started in that order(handicapped starts, first to the finish line wins the event)
Before Registering:
Please review the information on this page. This information should act as a guide when determining what event you should enter. The regatta staff reserves the right to change the event list based upon the total number of entries.
After you have reviewed this information, you can register at any time via the registration link below!
Register Now at www.roninracing.com!
Event Schedule
Key Dates and Times
11:59pm on September 28th, Online Registration Closes
9:00 am on October 7th, Registration Desk Opens
9:00am on October 7th Free Course Tours Start & Practice Course Open
Please be sure to launch 20 to 30 minutes prior to your event time.You must arrive at least 5 minutes before your start time.
1 11:00 AM Men's 1x (All Divisions) 2 11:15 AM Women's 1x 3 12:15 PM Women's 8 (Open, Light, Club, Juniors) 4 12:35 PM Men's 8 (Open, Light, Club, Juniors) 5 1:00 PM Men's 2x (All Divisions) 6 1:10 PM Women's 2x (All Divisions) 7 1:50 PM Women's 8 (Masters, Novice) 8 2:05 PM Men's 8 (Masters, Novice) 9 2:20 PM Women's 4+ (All Divisions) 10 2:40 PM Men's 4+ (All Divisions) 11 2:50 PM Men's and Women's 1x Half Course Race 12 3:20 PM Mixed Eights 13 3:25 PM Men's and Women's Quads 14 3:30 PM Mixed 4x and Mixed 4+ 15 3:35 PM Mixed 2x and Parent Child 2x Event Schedule Schedule
Event Schedule
Key Dates and Times
11:59pm on September 28th, Online Registration Closes
9:00am on October 7th, Registration Desk Opens
9:00am on October 7th Free Course Tours Start & Practice Course Open
Please be sure to launch 20 to 30 minutes prior to your event time.You must arrive at least 5 minutes before your start time.
1 - 11:00 AM Men's 1x (All Divisions)
2 - 11:15 AM Women's 1x (All Divisions)
3 - 12:15 PM Men's 8+ (Open, Club, Junior, Ltwt )
5 12:20 PM Women's 8+ (Open, Club, Junior, Ltwt )
5 - 1:00 PM Men's 2x (All Divisions)
6 - 1:10 PM Women's 2x (All Divisions)
7 - 1:50 PM Men's 8 (Masters, Novice)
8 - 2:00 PM Women's 8 (Masters, Novice)
9 - 2:15 PM Men's and Women's 1x Half Course Race
10 - 3:00 PM Men's 4+ (All Divisions)
11 - 3:10 PM Women's 4+ (All Divisions)
12 - 3:20 PM Men's and Women's Quads
13 - 3:25 PM Mixed 4x and Mixed 4+
14 - 3:30 PM Mixed 2x and Parent Child 2x
15 - 3:40 PM Mixed Eights
Course Records 
Course Records
Resources
Men's Singles
1a. Men's Open Weight Karl Sudar, PBC 16:49(2004)
1b. Men's Lightweight Tripper OMalley 18:06 (2010)
1c. Men's Junior Max Fowle, Christ Church 19:00 (2003)
1c. Men's Master AA Benjamin Kowalik , Capital Rowing 18:42(2005)
1d. Men's Master 30+ Dylan Cors, Capital Rowing Club 17:59 (2004)
1e. Men's Senior Master 40+ Ad Bax, Potomac Boat Club 17:18 (2004)
1f. Men's Grand Master 50+ Robert Spousta, PBC 17:29 (2004)
1g. Men's Veteran 60+ Duncan Spencer, Capital Rowing 18:57 (2004)
1h. Mens Senior Veteran 70+ Chris"Kit" Collins Rivanna RC 19:19(2004)
1i. Men's Novice** Gary Moore, GMRA 18:43 (2004)
Women's Singles
2a. Womens Open Michelle Borkhuis, Potomac BC 18:28 (2003)
2b. Womens Lightweight Carol Dinion, OBC 19:49 (2010)
2c. Women's Master AA Lauren Pickens Waterways Center 21:19(2006)
2c. Women's Junior Abby Martin 20:29 (2006)
2d. Women's Master 30+ Kate Dowling, PBC 19:21 (2002)
2e. Women's Senior Master 40+ Gia Deangelis, Rivanna RC 19:10(2005)
2h. Women's Novice** Nicole dinion 21:08 (2006)
2e. Womens Grand Master 50+ Anne Sudar, OBC 20:01 (2002)
2i. Womens Veteran Single 60+ Dana Perrone, TBC 21:58:21(2010)
Men's and Women's Eights
3a. Men's Open Weight Naval Academy 13:37 (2004)
3b. Men's Lightweight University of Delaware 14:42 (2005)
3c. Men's Club Eight Open Open- Win it!
3c. Men's Junior North Va. Rowing Juniors 15:01 (2005)
3e. Men's Master 40+ Virginia Boat Club 15:06 (2010)
4g. Men's Master 50+ NEW
3f. Men's Recreational Eight** Prince William RC 17:47(2005)
3g. Men's Novice Eight** North Carolina State University 17:07(2005)
a. Women's Open Weight University of Mary Washington 16:35 (2005)
7b. Women's Lightweight Eight Old Dominion Boat Club 17:00(2005)
7c. Women's Club Eight Capital RC 14:56(2008)
8e. Women's Master Alexandria Community Rowing 17:08 (2006)
8 . Women's Master 50+ NEW
Mens and Women's Fours
7a. Women's Open Weight University of Mary Washington 16:35 (2005)
7b. Women's Lightweight Eight Old Dominion Boat Club 17:00(2005)
7c. Women's Club Eight Capital RC 14:56(2008)
8e. Women's Master Alexandria Community Rowing 17:08 (2006)
7a. Men's Open Weight Naval Academy 15:03 (2005)
8b. Men's Lightweight Four Old Dominion RC 17:00(2010)
8c. Men's Club Four GMU Alumni 15:43(2010)
7b. Mens Junior Northern Virginia Rowing Club 15:53 (2002)
7c. Mens Master Capital RC 17:07 (2003)
8f. Men's Recreational Four ** Prince William Rowing Club 19:28(2006)
Men's and Women's Doubles, Mixed Events
5a. Men's Open Weight Occoquan BC- Barrett/Wenger 16:32 (2006)
5a. Men's Master Thompson DC- Nix/Bromley 17:19 (2005)
5d. Men's Junior Double Old Dominion Boat Club Lovo 18:13(2005)
6a. Womens Open Potomac BC Madigan/Humblet 17:04 (2003)
6b. Womens Master Rivanna BC Pitts/DeAngelis 17:52 (2010)
6c. Women's Junior Old Dominion Boat Club Finnegan 19:49 (2005)
Mixed 2x ** Rivanna- Tatum/DeAngelis 16:53 (2002)
Parent/Child ** Virginia BC Georgiadia/Williard 18:19(2003
Mixed Eights ** Occoquan Boat Club 16:19 (2005)
9b. Mixed Four + ** Occoquan Boat Club 19:22(2005)
Course Map 
Course Map
Why do Scullers and Coxswains Fear the Challenge?
Designed to fully challenge crews, this course provides each rower and coxswain with a fully buoyed course with several turns which allow crews and scullers to start and finish at the same location.
Starting at Sandy Run Regional Park (on the Prince William Side of the River), the course winds its way down river towards the 2000 m race course starting line. Halfway through the race, crews will be required to complete a wide quarter mile long 180 degree turn to finish the final leg of the race. By allowing crews to safely start and finish at the same location, rowers can get a clearer idea as to how the race is going as they are racing. It also provides spectators several excellent locations to watch crews both at the start and finish of each race.
Understanding the course provides you with an enormous advantage over your competitors.
Click below to review!
Important Course Landmarks
Off - Limits Areas: These areas are off limits. Any crews found in the center of the river will be immediately disqualified. Good rule to use is to always row no more than 100 feet from shore at ALL times.
Sandy Run Regional Park . The entire regatta is operated within the park. Crews heading out the on the water should use the docks halfway down the hill leading to the water and crews returning to the park should use the return docks which are located at the bottom of the hill. Registrations will be run from the main boathouse building at the top of the hill and results can be picked up at regatta headquarters in between the both sets of docks.
Prince William County. This is the land mass on the other side of the river. As you race down the river, PW County will be on your starboard side. Notable landmarks include the "Painted" Rocks where several marshalls will be on hand to get you lined up for the race and the power lines(which cross the river at about 1000 meters away from the start and finish line of the race).
The Painted Rocks This is a collection of rocks that local HS crews have painted. It should serve as the approximate turnaround point for crews preparing to head into the course. Please note, you should not stray too far away from the course as marshalls will not wait for your arrival before starting the event.
The 2000m Grandstand The 2000 meter SPRINT course is a completely different race course used during the Spring Season. For the purposes of this race, you will be on the 2000m at several points during the race. The grandstand however is simply a point on the course, not the finish line for the Challenge.
Course Details 
From the docks
Depart from the upper dock which is the closest to the parking lots and halfway up the hill(You will see a sign and hear the start time for your race). Be sure to check in with the marshal on the dock as they will be able to confirm that your event is on schedule. As you leave the docks head UPRIVER staying to right of the blue buoy.
At the Start
Heading up river/Warming Up: As you head upriver you will notice the marshalling area on the other side of the river. Do not cross into those lanes and be sure head up past the large buoy which is next to the painted rocks on the Prince William shoreline. A marshal will be there to check you in and give you an approximate start time. Should you require more time to warm-up, there are over 8 miles of river upriver, but be sure to stay close to the marshalling area once your event draws near.
In the marshalling area: Once the marshal has given you the green light you may proceed into the marshalling area. Its approximately 400 meters to the starting line at this point and you will need to make sure you are lined up against the other competitors in your event. As you approach the starting line you will need to make sure you are not crowding rowers ahead of you and that you are in line so that the starting judge can quickly start each event.
After the First Turn
On the Course: THE STARTING LINE is directly across from the coaches dock(launches dock). Once on the course you will want to make sure you stay centered between the shoreline and buoy line(approx 3-4 buoys) as you will be required to almost immediately start slowly turning to starboard. We have found that folks that stay closer(about 25-30 feet) to shoreline throughout the ENTIRE RACE easily accomplish this and cut valuable time off their race.
Completing the first turn and hitting the Straight away: The turn will continue until it has straightened you out onto the 2000 race course(you will probably end up in lane 6 or lane 7 of the standard 2000m course heading towards the 2000m starting line). Once on the course its full speed ahead for 1300 meters. Be sure to stay clear of lanes 3-4(middle of the river) which are closed to boat traffic.
Approaching the Challenge Turn:
(Which is at the start of the High School Races, 500 meters before the 2000m starting line and 800meters from the Dam): As you pass the 1000meter mark you will note a large set of rocks on the Prince William County Starboard side. As soon as you pass them you will want to start easing over as there are buoys that push you over to the Prince William side of the river.
THE CHALLENGE TURN turns at exactly 150 meters from the large set of rocks on the Prince William Side of the river. As you near the turn you will see a marshal and a very large set of 4 buoys that is the Challenge Turn. As you pass the first buoy you will want to start your turn either hitting hard on your starboard side or alternating by cutting power on the other side. The wide turn can easily accomplished tight to the buoy line and takes approximately 40 seconds to complete. Those crews that cut it close to the first buoy have been know to swing wide and have lost several seconds off the turn.
Heading for Home: As you complete the turn you will be either in lanes 0-2 of the 2000m course(the 2000m course is not marked during the Fall and is only used as a point of reference). Its straight ahead for 1500 meters until you pass the grandstand and finish line of the 2000m course. As you pass the finish line for the 2000m course you will want to stay close to the shoreline on your starboard side as we have a series of buoys that prevent you from heading straight off the course. Continue cutting to the right until you see a large buoy and marshal who will be last marker and represent 250 meters until the finish line.
THE FINISH LINE is right next to coaches dock(launches dock next to Sandy Run. Make sure to note that finish line docks which sit 30-40 feet from shore. You should center your bow between the FINISH LINE YELLOW buoys. As you complete the finish please head off the course and into Sandy Run(The nearest dock is the arrival dock). If you wish to warm-down please continue along Sandy Run(past the docks) which heads back about 1 mile.
