2014 Gay Games Cleveland Bid

[glrfcentral]

We started this topic after sifting through the three bids presented for the 2014 Gay Games. All three bids have included rowing as one of the featured sports. See the GLRF story here. A decision on the selection won't be made until 29 Sep 2009.

 

We would like to develop input from the GLRF community on all aspects of the general Cleveland rowing bid: cost to participate, site location, entry categories, event categories, and projected length of the regatta.

 

The biggest concern that we have identified is the 'full frontal' exposure to Lake Erie. In conversations with rowers over the summer at GLRF booths, rowers remarked that a regatta at the proposed Whiskey Island would be disastrous due to the winds and waves. They suggested an alternate location, Lake Milton. [location]

 

We emailed the Head coach of St. Ignatius Crew, a juniors team, who has rowed on Lake Milton. He endorsed Lake Milton and also suggested the Portages Lakes. [location] Portages Lakes Rowing Association Here is the email and the response:

 

Dear Brian,

Thanks for your email. Whiskey Island would be a great location, however the weather is so unpredictable that there is better than 50% chance that

the course would be unrowable for your intended use.

 

Lake Milton was heavenly for us. Good water, great sightlines. Plenty of opens stretches to race on.

 

Another possibility is the Portage Lakes. The Portage Lake rowing association is actively using the lake frequently for rowing.

 

Please let me know if I can be of any further assistance.

 

Regards,

Matt

 

Matthew J. Previts, '97

Head Coach

St. Ignatius H.S. Crew

mprevits@ignatiuscrew.com

216-789-2139

 

"Pursue Excellence, Nothing Else is Worth Your Time."

 

 

On Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 4:19 PM, Matthew Previts wrote:

 

[Cacher les citations]

 

Dear Coach Previts,

 

I found your name and contact information after a google search of rowing and Lake Milton returned blog entries from St. Ignatius Crew.

 

As executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Rowing Federation, part of my job is to act as a lobbyist. An organization in Cleveland is bidding for the

2014 Gay Games, a multi-sport event that will include rowing. In their bid, they present a site location for rowing at Whiskey Island at the mouth of

the Cuyahoga River.

 

In talks with rowers at NW Regionals and at the Club Nationals, I have been told in no uncertain terms that a regatta cited at Whiskey Island would be a

disaster due to the exposure to Lake Erie. Several people suggested Lake Milton as a possible alternative.

 

Would you recommend Lake Milton for a 6-lane, 1k sprint course? Are there any other venues that might be an option?

 

Thank you in advance for any thoughts.

 

Sincerely,

 

Brian Todd

 

--

The GLRF Vision:

The seamless integration of gay and lesbian rowers within the broader

rowing community.

http://www.GLRF.info

 

Although both venues are a ways outside of Cleveland, that is the burden most rowers must endure. The immediate advantage to Portage Lakes is the existence of a local rowing club who could host the regatta (if they consent). The advantage to Lake Milton could be the water and/or course layout.