A Rowing Village

27 April 2013Ian McPherson, Director of Marketing and Communications

Hillary Clinton boldly stated that “It takes a village to raise a child.” Likewise, we at Brentwood know that it takes the entire Brentwood family to host the largest school-run event in North America!

The alchemy of success for an event this size? Brentwood’s Head of Rowing and Regatta Coordinator, Debbie Sage, believes, “The key ingredient is commitment. Our over 400 student, parent, and alumni volunteers are the main reason for the success and longevity of the regatta. The planning may start for the next year right after Regatta but at the end of the day, you can’t house, feed, entertain and organize this many athletes and moving parts without tremendous commitment from your volunteers.”

After 42 years of running this international event, Brentwood has a tremendous amount of experience to draw on. This is apparent in the coordination between staff, faculty, parents, alumni and students all working in concert to make the regatta run seamlessly. From the student-run food stands, live entertainment, the BEAT team driving a Green Regatta, livestreaming of races from the rooftop, to Maintenance changing the campus from school to sporting venue, and Chef Sean Napier and our Food Services preparing over 8,000 meals to send legions of high school athletes, coaches and families off happily satiated, this Regatta is a marvel.

Experience, planning, commitment and a little bit of luck are the ingredients that carry a regatta to success. Now if we just can get the weather to cooperate…

Ian McPherson, Director of Marketing and Communications

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