The regatta was hosted at Crystal Lake by the Crystal Lake Rowing Club. The 1,000 meter course began mid-lake and pointed downwind to a finish line near the main beach. The lanes were partially buoyed. Floating starts were used. Rowers had about 2 hours to practice before the start of the race. The race was a USRowing sanctioned regatta. A total of 8 USRowing judges were assigned to the regatta. One protest was filed.
Events were listed for men, women, and mixed boats, in both masters and open categories. Many of the boats were composite entries with rowers coming from various rowing clubs.
Loaner boats were provided from the Mendota Rowing Club, the Crystal Lake Rowing Club, the Chicago River Rowing and Paddling Club, and Purdue University. The boat manufacturers included Kaschper, Hudson, Derigo, Wintech, and Vespoli, and others.
Some of the more energetic rowers raced all weekend, by participating in the Chicago Sprints on Saturday, 15 Jul 2006, and then racing at the Gay Games.