The GLRF Stream

Seat Search as a concept began at the 1998 Gay Games when the WHOars needed a coxie for their 8+ and 4+. With the launch of Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation website in 2003, we offered a Seat Search feature for featured regattas. The idea of using a database was not really feasible for the website tools we were using at the time so the capabilities were limited. Fast forward to December 2024 and now Rower Seat Search and Club Seat Search is a default feature in any Regattas+ listing. For example, if a GLRF member added the Head of the Yarra in Melbourne as a Regattas+ listing, a rower could submit a seat search to race in a boat, and a rowing club or program could list a Club Seat Search for an opening in their boat maybe for a cox or for 6-seat. What’s the difference between a Rower Seat Search and a Club Seat Search? For a rower whose club is not going to a regatta or who wants to race in more than just one entry, the Rower Seat Search helps a rower announce that they are looking for an open seat in a race. For a club or program that perhaps wants to enter two races but only has rowers for one boat and is short one or more for a second race, the Club Seat Search helps a to fill a boat. Each Seat Search entry leverages the GLRF member profile to display key rower and coxie profile of data that is important for filling a boat. The Seat Search feature provides for three categories: sweep, scull, and cox. Seat Searches can be made for each category, “rower looking for …” and “club seeking a …” If this was available in 1998, the WHOars would have submitted a Club Seat Search for a coxie. Regattas+ is part of the Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation community platform that enables members to add their own regattas, ergattas, and rowing camps/clinics. Every Regattas+ listing creates community for LGBTQ rowers by providing a RSVP-like members going feature, comments feature, upload files, and share images. Whether it is the Head of the Mississippi regatta or the Covered Bridge regatta or a Eurogames regatta, GLRF is helping to create community among LGBTQ+ rowers. Of course, allies can join GLRF and add a Regattas+ listing. GLRF doesn’t ask anyone’s sexual orientation.

Registration is open for the 2025 Sin City Erg. Positioned as the global LGBTQ+ indoor rowing event, the competition will take place on Sunday, 19 January 2025 in Las Vegas. The Sin City Erg will be one of 27 sports that are part of the 2025 Sin City Classic multi-sport tournament. The event is held every year over the United States Martin Luther King holiday weekend. Over 8,000 athletes are expected to attend, with some sports attracting hundreds if not thousands of participants. The largest sport participation totals from 2024: Softball: 2,579 Kickball: 1,482 Women’s Softball: 814 Dodgeball: 761 Volleyball: 492 Soccer: 345 Flag Football: 302 Pickleball: 194 Tennis: 183 Sand Volleyball: 159 Cheerleading: 159 The Sin City Erg has been held three times since 2020. The big draw for indoor rowers is the selection of both individual and team events. Using the Concept2 Race software, teams can be created from the athletes sitting on the ergs, creating double, quadruple, and octuple races. The display shows the associated team boats racing down the course. Perfect for teams, clubs, and programmes to compete against each other. With 24 ergs, the opportunities to compete in a 2X, 4X, and 8X team event are endless! If you only look at the Regatta Central counts for the 2024 Sin City Erg, you will be misled. There were 16 participants in 27 entries for 11 events. We had several walk-up registrations. Bring your friends, partners, husbands, and wives. There are sports in which they can participate as well as all the fun of Vegas! Early registration closes on 15 November and regular registration opens on 16 November. There are unlimited entries for one participant fee. The Sin City Erg is presented by the Gay + Lesbian Rowing Federation (GLRF). Login to the GLRF website and follow the event and indicate if you are going!