November 3, 2004

Los Angeles, CA: The inaugural National Collegiate Club Rowing championships will take place in the Port of Los Angeles at 10AM on November 6. USC, San Diego State, and the University of California Berkeley Lightweights have entered crews to compete in the inaugural 3-mile race.

Entries for Nationals are now closed.

“We are excited to be hosting the 2004 Club Nationals,” said Trojan Coach Gene Kininmonth. “We have three strong clubs entered for this first time inter-varsity event and I believe we will see this race grow dramatically in participation in the next few years.”

Coach Kininmonth said that although his program was initially disappointed not to have attracted a wide field of university rowing programs from across the nation, “with more time to plan, the race should definitely attract a wider field next year,” said Coach Kininmonth. “For now, our Trojans are excited to be racing two respected California club programs in San Diego State and the Cal Lightweights.”

San Diego State has a rich tradition in rowing, having dominated the California Cup at the San Diego Crew Classic throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Like the Trojan Navy, the Aztecs will open their season this weekend. Meanwhile, the Cal Lightweights have already opened up their Fall season with tremendous success, winning the Open 8 event at the Head of the American last weekend in Sacramento.

“We expect to see a lot of speed from Cal Lightweights,” said Trojan oarsman Kevin Lorell. “Last week they showed convincing speed to beat out UC Davis, Sac State and two Stanford University varsity crews among others.”

Spectators can view the race from the finish area at Ports ‘O Call in San Pedro or from the 1000m mark at USC Boathouse.

Directions to San Pedro:
Directions via 405 Freeway
San Diego Freeway (405) to the Harbor Freeway.(110), then south on the Harbor Freeway to San Pedro.

USC Boathouse:
· From 110 South
· Exit "C" Street
· Make a RIGHT at the stop sign at "Figueroa"
· Make a LEFT on "Harry Bridges"
· Make a RIGHT on "Avalon"
· Make a LEFT on "Water Street"
· Make a RIGHT on "Yacht St"

The boathouse is on the left past the fire station.