Regatta By the Numbers

1 May 2016Photo and Article by Gina B, Mackenzie ‘17

With Regatta Weekend coming to a close, it’s amazing to take a look at the statistics that the Brentwood Regatta generates. The sheer numbers of just about everything is what makes this weekend so special and one of the biggest high school sporting events in North America. This year there are over 1600 athletes coming from all over the Pacific Northwest. Rowers accompanied by over 250 coaches travel from Washington, Oregon, and all over BC to compete. Brentwood is also welcoming a new school to Regatta, Seattle Prep School, and all of these thousands of rowers bring in many spectators, from parents to members of the Cowichan Valley. It is estimated that almost 5,000 people will be walking on campus over the three busy days. With all of these people coming to the small community of Mill Bay comes a lot of new customers for all of the businesses uptown in the Mill Bay Centre. Stores such as Tim Hortons and Subway have to increase stock and staff over the weekend to keep up with demands from all the visitors. Our neighbourhood coffee shop, Rusticana Coffee, estimates that their business doubles over the weekend with Saturday morning being one of the busiest times of the year. This was also a booming weekend for the on-campus businesses, with the Entrepreneurship 11 booths selling hundreds of Mac and Cheese plates, Tornado Potatoes, Waffles, Crepes, hotdogs, and breakfast sandwiches. Homer’s Doughnuts sold almost 7000 mini doughnuts this weekend, and Mill Bay Pizza’s tent sold about 480 slices of pizza. At the Regatta store they sold out of almost all sizes except for extra larges, more than 600 hoodies. In terms of all the waste produced, BEAT (Brentwood’s Environmental Action Team) has been working hard at the waste streaming stations to make sure that all the different waste has been put in the appropriate bin whether its composting, recycling or garbage. About 80% of the waste has been diverted from the landfill into compost, recycling or repurposing. Crews visiting have also been great in bringing compostable plates and cutlery in order to reduce garbage going to the landfill. Entre booths were also rewarded stars on their level of environmentally responsible containers and cutlery used. Mrs. Richardson, our BEAT coordinator, says it has been the best year yet for waste reduction. With 190 races, 24 hours of racing time, and over 500 student volunteers, Brentwood Regatta has been an absolute success for all athletes and the entire school. With a race every 7 minutes all weekend there is no doubt that everyone involved has been extremely busy in making the 46th Annual Brentwood regatta an amazing success! We’ll see you all next year when we’ll set new records! Gina B, Mackenzie ‘17

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