News
The Dad Vail Regatta Returning To The Navesink
RUMSON - Borough officials announced on Wednesday that the nation's largest intercollegiate regatta, known as the Dad Vail, will take place in Rumson on Friday and Saturday, May 7 and 8, 2010.
The annual event draws more than 3,000 participants from 100 colleges in the United States and Canada, including the Ivy Leagues.
While borough officials have known for some time that Rumson was under consideration as a possible location for the regatta, Mayor John Ekdahl confirmed on Wednesday that the event is a go for Mother's Day weekend.
The regatta has taken place on the Schuykill River in Philadelphia for the past 56 years, but the organization has been searching for another venue for the regatta and Rumson was one of several sites under consideration, Ekdahl said.
The upcoming event represents a homecoming for the rowing race - the very first Dad Vail race took place on the Navesink in 1939. It will return to the Navesink for its 72nd season.
"We are thrilled that the Dad Vail regatta has decided to relocate to Rumson, " said Mayor John Ekdahl. "We think this will have a tremendous economic impact, not only for Rumson but for all of the surrounding two river towns. This should give a boost to all of the hotels and restaurants in the area."
The cost of the event will be underwritten through private and corporate donations, officials said.
Two River Times™ owner Michael Gooch has provided an initial advance of $100,000 toward the $250,000 in financial guarantees required by the organization.
"This is going to be like the Henley Regatta in England," said Gooch, who emigrated from Great Britain in the 1980s.
Participants in the Dad Vail will compete on a 2,000 meter Olympic distance course, from Victory Park to the Oceanic Bridge.
The Two River Times™ will be a corporate sponsor for the regatta, Gooch said, adding that he expects the event will be a major economic boost for the region.
The founder of the Dad Vail was former Rutgers University Athletic Director Lev Brett. Rutgers has the oldest college rowing program in the United States.
The regatta is named in honor of Harry Emerson Vail, who was known as "Dad" in the days when he coached the sport at the University of Wisconsin during the 1920s.
The first organization meeting for the Dad Vail took place on February 10, 1939 with seven colleges in attendance, including Rutgers.
In the ensuing years, it grew to become the largest collegiate rowing regatta in North America.
Officials for the Dad Vail organization declined to comment for publication.
