Stotesbury Regatta

About the Stotesbury Cup Regatta

The Stotesbury Cup Regatta has been held continuously since 1927. Over the years, races and trophies have been added to the regatta, culminating in today’s 31 championship events. What began as a local Philadelphia “Cup Race” quickly evolved into a full-fledged regatta that today endures as the largest high school rowing regatta in the world.

Exceptionally fine crews from all parts of the United States and Canada travel to the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia to participate in the Stotesbury Cup Regatta. Over 5,000 competitors meet at the Athletes Village to experience both the spirit of rowing competition as well as the physical challenge of pitting themselves against the very finest crews rowing at the high school level. Their achievements draw a crowd of nearly 10,000 spectators.

This year’s Stotesbury Cup will take place May 14-16 2026. Coaches will announce boats selected to race in Stotes in early May.

Regatta Overview:

Action Items to Complete by May 6 if you are selected.

Communications Prior to and During Stotesbury

It will be critical for us to be able to communicate during Stotesbury. We will use TeamLinkt as well as GroupMe. Make sure you have both apps downloaded onto your device.

Logistics

Transportation

We will have bus transportation to and from the regatta for rowers and coxswains. No rowers or coxswains will be allowed to drive to or from the regatta in a car driven by anyone other than their own parents.

Family members may ride the team bus to Philadelphia from RVHS, space permitting, for a fee of $30 to be paid through the payment link. The bus boards at 9:15 AM and leaves at 9:30 AM sharp on Thursday, May 14th.

*Rowers & Coxswains are welcome to make the return trip to Leesburg with their parents ONLY after being released by their COACH (shell/gear loaded for the return to Leesburg) AND checking out in person with their CHAPERONE. If you know in advance that you would like your athlete to return with a parent, please send email to president@riversidecrew.org before May 13th. Rowers/coxswains must pay in full regardless of their return plans.

Meals

We will drive the Riverside Crew Chuckwagon to the regatta. Meals will be provided at the river by our volunteer cooks for breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the regatta. Please email us to let us know about any food allergies for your or your athlete by May 9th at president@riversidecrew.org 

  1. Athletes should bring a bag lunch for Thursday’s bus ride. Thursday snacks and dinner will be provided.
  2. Friday breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided.
  3. Saturday breakfast and lunch will be provided. Depending on our placement, dinner may be served as well.
  4. Water and snacks will be available at the food tent. Please bring a refillable water bottle. 

Luggage & Thursday Dress

Athletes must bring their luggage to school Thursday morning when boarding the bus at 9:15 AM. Athletes will NOT have access to luggage until check-in at the hotel (after rowing). Everyone should board the bus dressed to row and should wear their blue crew team shirt, with crew bag as needed. Bus will go directly to water for unloading, rigging and a practice row in Philadelphia.

Notifying the School About May 14 & 15 Absences

  • Parents must report their athlete’s absence from school for May 14 & 15.
  • Athletes should give all teachers advance notice regarding their absence from school for the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.

What to Pack

A packing list will be provided during the registration process. Please download it from the registration form. 

Spending Money

Stotes “Competitor” Shirts are available for online pre-order until May 13 at 5:00pm. Pre-ordered shirts will be available for pick up at the Main Merchandise tent located near Kelly Statue during Regatta weekend.  Other shirts and memorabilia will be available during the weekend at the many vendors set up at the Stotesbury Vendor Village.

Volunteers Needed

This isn’t a crew event if we don’t ask for volunteers. We will need volunteers to assist as chaperones, hauling the chuckwagon to the team tent site, cooking, tent set-up and clean up each day. Please contact president@riversidecrew.org if interested in volunteering.

Tentative Itinerary

  • Event: Stotesbury Cup Regatta
  • Dates: May 14-16, 2026
  • Location: Philadelphia, PA
  • Transportation: Provided by one commercial coach from Reston Limousine, 45685 Elmwood Ct., Sterling, VA 20166, 703-478-0500
  • Athlete/Coach Lodging: Four Points Sheraton, 4101A Island Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19153

Thursday, May 14, 2025

  • 9:15 AM All Rowers/Coxswains/Chaperones board bus at RVHS to ensure on time departure
  • 9:30 AM  Depart from RVHS (wear blue team shirts/dress to practice)
  • 12 noon Arrive at racing site for practice
  • 5:00 PM dinner at team tent
  • 6:00 PM Arrive Four Points Sheraton. Reside two nights
  • 9:00 PM All Athletes in assigned rooms

Friday, May 15, 2025

  • 6 AM (Early Morning/Based on Race Schedule) Depart Four Points Sheraton for Stotesbury Cup Regatta, Schuylkill River. RVHS Crew Board will provide food at the regatta site. Bring all race gear as you won’t return to the hotel until the evening.
  • 8 AM – 7 PM Stotesbury Cup Regatta. 
  • 7:30 PM Return to Four Points Sheraton.

Saturday, May 16, 2026

  • TBD (Early Morning/Based on Race Schedule) Depart Four Points Sheraton for racing site. Bring all luggage as we will NOT return to the hotel. 
  • 8 AM Stotesbury Regatta races, Schuylkill River. RVHS Crew Board will provide food at the regatta site
  • TBD Depart Stotesbury Cup Regatta for RVHS. Will be communicated through TeamLinkt or GroupMe.
  • TBD Arrive RVHS. Parent pick-up. Will be communicated through TeamLinkt or GroupMe.

Race Schedule -TBD

 

Boat Fri.
time trial		 Friday
Semi-Final time		 Sat
Semi-Final time		 Sat
Finals time