Fall 2023 Updates
After graduating 18 athletes this spring, Virginia is starting out the fall season with a smaller team. We are proud to announce in our efforts to swell the ranks we’ve accepted 20 rowers and 3 coxswains for the 2023-2024 year. The new rookies bring our numbers to 58 rowers and 9 coxswains, 67 total committed VRA athletes.
Our fall racing season will begin October 15 at the Occoquan Chase in Fairfax, followed by the Head of the Charles from October 20-22, in Boston, and concluding with our own Wahoo Henley on the Rivanna, November 11.
Highlights for our social season include the VRA Alumni Reunion for former Rowers and Coxswains on November 11 following the Wahoo Henley, where in tandem with the Virginia Women, we celebrate 50 years of women’s rowing at the University of Virginia.
We hope you’ll join us! Register for the Alumni Reunion for former Rowers and Coxswains today.
Celebrate 50 Year of Women’s Rowing at UVA
VRA Goes to Henley
This summer, VRA entered three boats to race in the Henley Royal Regatta. The team began their trip training on Lake Sarnen in Switzerland, before racing in the Greifensee Regatta where they placed second in the 8+ and in the 4-. While the team spent their entire days training, they were able to spend a few hours sightseeing before heading to England to begin preparations for Henley.
The 8+ began the Henley campaign racing against Oxford Brookes in the Temple Challenge Cup. After victory over Brookes, the 8+ went on to face A.S.R. Nereus. The 8+ fought valiantly but unfortunately ceded the win to the Nereus squad.
Our 4+ took on UC Dublin in the Prince Albert Challenge Cup and though the men laid everything on the water that morning, they conceded defeat to the Irish crew.
Cate Porter had a great regatta in the women’s single, beating the former U23 World Champion from New Zealand in the first round of the Princess Royal Cup, but found her match in a second round loss to Sophia Luwis (USA) who won the event (as well as a bronze medal at the World Championships). Cate has been the team’s “big sister” for two years after she lost her eligibility for the women’s team. She trained with the guys and filled in seats whenever needed while finishing her graduate degree.
Spring 2023 Recap
Our athletes had an impressive spring season, both on the water and off. We took home several medals during each of our events:
George Washington Invitational
1st – 2V
2nd – 3V, 1N, 2N
3rd – 1V
SIRA Championship Regatta
1st – 2V, 1N, 2N, W1X
2nd – 2-
Kerr Cup
2nd – 1N
3rd – 2V
ACRA National Championship
1st – 2V, 4X, W1X
3rd – 1N, 2N
We’re also thrilled to announce that the average GPA in our varsity 8+ was a 3.84 and 90% of our third and fourth year rowers qualified for the ACRA-All Academic first or second team.
Upcoming Events
Follow Virginia Rowing on Instagram @vmensrowing for upcoming events, updates, and more!
October 15, 2023
Occoquan Chase
Fairfax Station, Virginia
October 20-22, 2023
Head of the Charles
Boston, Massachusetts
November 11, 2023
Wahoo Henley and Alumni Reunion
Charlottesville, Virginia