Click on the map above to learn more about getting around the racing venue.
What to expect for racing? Races will be run over a 1500 meter course. As you look at the river, the starting line is to your right.
All races for the first four Flicks are run in flights. This means that crews are only racing the other boats in their own flight, but there may be several flights in the same category, depending on the number of entries.
The start of each race is a floating start, meaning that the course officials get the boats lined up as close to the starting line as they can. Varsity crews usually do a fairly good job of getting lined up right on the starting line, but the same can not be said for novices. That means that one flight might do a great job and race the full 1500, while another flight might take a bit extra time getting set, and will have floated past the starting line. The race will still be run, but those crews may only race 1450 meters, so it can be tough to compare times across flights.
The PSRA attempts to seed the flights beginning with Flick 2. The goal is to have boats of similar speed race in each flight.
The racing at Flick 5 is a mixture of racing in flights and time trials. If an event has 12 or more entries, the race will be run as a time trial. Crews will start rowing before the starting line, getting to full speed as they cross. The boats are staggered by about 15 seconds. Race times for time trials are comparable as each crew will race the full 1500 meters.
driving and parking
It’s Philly, it’s the Schuylkill Expressway, it can be horrible. You will want to approach the course coming south on Kelly Drive. Do not come up Kelly Drive from the Art Museum as this will have you heading in the wrong direction for drop-off. You can come in on the Schuylkill and get of at exit 340 A for Lincoln and Kelly Drive. Or you can come via 95 and drive up 76 (the route seems to generally have less traffic), past Boathouse row across the river on your right, and get off at exit 340 A for Lincoln and Kelly Drive. Use this link as a GPS marker, 2200 Kelly Drive.
As you approach the Strawberry Mansion Bridge you will be directed off Kelly Drive and up the hill. You can drop your athlete off anywhere along Kelly Drive before you get to the detour and they can walk down to the trailer. The coaches will make sure all the athletes know where the trailer is located.
Use the map on the right to find parking. This parking is run by the City, not the Flicks, and there is a charge. From the parking you will use any of the well worn trails that go down the hill to Kelly Drive.
Shuttle service – Remote parking lots and shuttle service will begin with the second Flick. The bus drivers are instructed to stop for drop off/pick-up whenever requested. The lots in Fairmount Park can be reached by following the Kelly Drive detour. Monitored parking will cost $20 per day. Shuttles are anticipated to run every 20-35 minutes (depending on traffic) from approximately 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Handicapped parking – Spaces are reserved for those cars with handicapped tags near the Grandstands. A handicapped vehicle must have BOTH a PSRA parking pass and a handicapped tag to enter the Drive. Please speak to a Board member if you need handicapped access as PSRA parking passes are extremely limited. These limited passes are also needed for vehicles supporting the parent tent.
Additionally, the shuttle service always has at least one handicapped accessible van.
Keep in mind that using the shuttle is often the best way to get to the viewing area. It can drop you off right at the parent tent area. The handicapped parking is near the finish line, but not near the parent tent. The athlete drop off area is about the same distance from the parent tent as the parking.
The PSRA runs the regatta and is responsible for parking. The entire regatta takes place in a public park so facilities are dictated by the Fairmount Park Commission.
Transportation of food and drinks to the tent – Golf carts are available to transport your food, cases of water etc. to your tent if you do not have a pass. The PSRA insurance policy does not allow passengers in the golf carts.