PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The banks of the Schuylkill River would normally be crowded on the first day of the Dad Vail Regatta, often reaching 25,000 onlookers.
Not this year.
The 2021 Dad Vail Regatta, the nation’s largest collegiate regatta, will certainly be shorter and quieter. The competition will be compressed to a single day on Saturday, with teams leaving the starting line before the previous competitors cross the finish line.
And, most notably, spectators are not allowed.
“Please do not come down as a spectator,” said Jim Hanna, Dad Vail organizing committee president. “Watch on dadvail.org. We’ll have five cameras providing livestreaming so people won’t miss a thing.”
If a school has spectators, the team will be disqualified.
Normally, 100 colleges participate. Hanna said this year will feature about 1,000 rowers from only 45 schools. All will be subject to COVID-19 testing.
Restrictions aside, Hanna said rowers are eager to compete again, considering last year’s competition was canceled.
“They haven’t had a chance to race. They just can’t wait,” he said. “They’re champing at the bit. We’re going to see the human spirit come alive in sports once again.”