Inaugural North Jersey Rowing Races Coming to Overpeck Lake

The first-ever championship regatta, organized by the Teaneck Rowing Club, for North Jersey high school boys and girls crew teams is planned for April 14 at Overpeck Lake, county officials said Monday.

The rowing club is expected to host up to 20 high school teams competing for the inaugural North Jersey Championship. The championship will be the first scholastic crew competition held on the lake.

While North Jersey high school teams traditionally competed on Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River and the Cooper River in Camden, Bergen officials said the county lake would be a boon to teams and fans.

“Overpeck Lake and its surrounding new County Park, which opened in 2010, provides ideal conditions for rowing with its straight 2000-meter course and elevated spectator viewing areas,” said a release issued by County Executive Kathleen A. Donovan’s Office. “Overpeck Lake delivers a new and more convenient venue for Bergen County’s crew teams.”

Clemens Reinke, Teaneck’s rowing coach, will serve as regatta director. U.S. Rowing officials will oversee the event for safety and fairness. The Teaneck Rowing Club sponsors both the and Leonia high school crew teams.

A plan was initially floated for Teaneck’s rowers , however, the club told town officials Overpeck had more ideal conditions. Rowers have used the park since 2010, although they in a dispute between a Leonia councilman and county officials over use of a section in the park.

The high school event will begin with Columbia, Yale and the University of Pennsylvania competing for two of the biggest trophies in rowing, the Blackwell Cup for heavyweights, and the Dodge Cup for lightweights.

More details are available at northjerseyrowingregatta.org

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