USRowing Announces Ann Arbor Area As 2025 RowFest National Championships Destination

Ann Arbor, Mich. (August 26, 2024) – Today, USRowing announced Ann Arbor, Mich. as the destination for USRowing’s 2025 RowFest National Championships. In partnership with the Ann Arbor Sports Commission, Eastern Michigan University, and Ypsilanti Township, RowFest – one of the nation’s largest rowing community events – will see racing commence at The Rowing Course at Ford Lake, with community, learning and development, and social events hosted in Ypsilanti Township and the Ann Arbor area. 

“We’re thrilled to bring RowFest 2025 to the vibrant greater Ann Arbor community, and the new, innovative Rowing Course at Ford Lake.” said Sarah McAuliffe, USRowing’s Director of Competition. “This is one of the Midwest’s premiere rowing venues, and competing here will be a first for many of our rowing community. With close proximity to Detroit, and an abundance of local activities and RowFest programming for our attendees, we expect to draw thousands of athletes, coaches, and spectators from over 100 clubs to the eight-day event.” added McAuliffe. 

RowFest 2025 will take place from July 12-20 and bring together the entire United States rowing community for flatwater racing and revelry. The regatta will include traditional racing formats for national championships for youth, under 17, under 23, open, and masters age groups, while also featuring sprints, relay races, cash prizes, and other experiences that rowers can’t find at other regattas. 

Off the water, RowFest provides the rowing community with a plethora of opportunities for learning, development, and social engagement. From Learn to Row events and college fairs, to Octogenarians celebrations, happy hours, and educational classes for coaches, RowFest is designed to ignite passion for the sport while embedding itself within the local community, and partnering with them on and events. 

"We are excited to host RowFest 2025 at the newly enhanced Rowing Course at Ford Lake, a facility that has been a part of our community for years but has recently undergone significant upgrades to become a championship-level rowing venue. This event is set to draw thousands of attendees from around the country, who will stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, and contribute to the local economy. As a division of Destination Ann Arbor, the Ann Arbor Sports Commission is proud  that this course is the largest in Michigan, offering a premier venue that not only enhances our visibility as a top destination for major sporting events but also contributes to the economic growth across Washtenaw County," said Meaghan Hughes, Director of the Ann Arbor Sports Commission. 

The newly developed and innovative Rowing Course at Ford Lake will host over 350 RowFest races, and with its semi-permanent buoyed 2,000-meter course, eight competition lanes, and floating launch and recovery platforms, it is a venue capable of hosting regional, national, and international rowing events.  

“Eastern Michigan University and the Department of Athletics are honored to host the 2025 RowFest National Championships at our newly developed rowing course on Ford Lake. This event is a testament to the hard work and vision that brought this state-of-the-art venue to life and a remarkable opportunity to showcase our community's passion for sports and collaboration. We look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, and spectators from across the nation to experience the very best of what EMU and Washtenaw County have to offer,” said Scott Wetherbee, the Vice President/Director of Athletics at Eastern Michigan University. 

“Hosting RowFest 2025 at our newly enhanced Ford Lake Rowing Course is a tremendous opportunity to showcase our township's progress and community spirit. We're proud to welcome the national rowing community to experience the hospitality and vibrancy that make Ypsilanti Township such a special place to call home," says Brenda Stumbo, Supervisor of Ypsilanti Township. 

Competition registration opens in April 2025.  To book hotels in advance, and to register your interest to volunteer, visit AnnArbor.org/Sports-Commission/RowFest. 

About USRowing 

USRowing is the national governing body for the sport of rowing in the United States, dedicated to promoting and developing rowing at all levels from juniors to elite competition. With a membership base of 1,430 rowing clubs, and 77,000+ individuals, USRowing hosts National Championships and domestic regattas across the country to further their mission of steward, strengthen, and grow American rowing by championing performance and igniting new passion for the sport.  

The national governing body works closely with international rowing bodies to represent the United States at the highest levels of competition, including the World Rowing Championships, Olympic and Paralympic Games.  To learn more visit USRowing.org 

About the Ann Arbor Sports Commission 

The Ann Arbor Sports Commission was formed to attract amateur sporting events to the Ann Arbor region for economic impact, positive national exposure, and quality of life enhancement for its residents. The commission acts as a conduit on behalf of the region in the bid efforts for all major and participant-driven sporting events that meet its mission. The Ann Arbor Sports Commission is a subsidiary of Destination Ann Arbor.   

About Eastern Michigan University 
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 13,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University's rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit emich.edu. 
 
About Eastern Michigan University Athletics 
Eastern Michigan University has been a member of the Mid-American Conference since 1971 and has been among the league's most successful members. The Division I program boasts 158 MAC team championships, the most of any team in the league during that span. Eastern Michigan, which has had a representative at every summer Olympics since 1960, has won 15 team national championships and 55 individual national titles since 1932. For more information about Eastern Michigan Athletics, visit EMUEagles.com. 

About Ypsilanti Township:   

For more information about Ypsilanti Township, including services, community initiatives and events, please visit YpsiTownship.org.