1.      Head of the Schuylkill.   Click link for all the info you'll need

 

2.      Head of the Lafayette.   Click link for directions and information.   

 

3.      Botanical Gardens. 

 

a.       Directions:   I-64 exit 279 toward the airport.

At Azalea Garden Road, go left. Turn right into Norfolk Botanical Gardens.
Pass through the post/entrance, pay $5.00 to park and go to the end of the road to park in the main lot by the visitor's center.  Do not attempt to park on the road leading into the gardens.  They may tow your car.  The dock and regatta site is immediately to the left of the gate, but you likely won't be allowed to park there. 

 

b.      Notes: Norfolk Botanical Gardens requires you to park by the visitor center and walk down the hill or use the tram.  This is a smallish area, but mostly flat with paved areas.  There are outbuilding bathrooms (permanent) and a soda machine.  There are not, traditionally, any food vendors at this regatta but there is a cafe at the Gardens.  If you are a member of the gardens you may use all of your normal privileges - including parking.  All visitors may tour the gardens while they are at the regatta. 

 

4.      Mathews.

 

a.       Directions: 

      

       DIRECTIONS TO REGATTAS IN MATHEWS COUNTY: 

       Take 64 to Route 17(J. Clyde Morris Blvd)exit.
 Follow Route 17 North through Gloucester County.
 Turn right on Route 17 Business after you pass Wal-Mart.
 Turn right onto Route 14 at the first stop light.
 Follow Route 14 until you reach a stop sign (about 12 miles).
 Turn right onto Route 14/Route 198.
 Stop at the first stop sign.
 Turn right again ( Hardee's on the corner).
 Drive about 2 miles and turn right on Route 614. 
 Follow to the end of Williams Wharf.
 Parking is in an open field (often muddy) and a fee is charged. 
 A shuttle bus runs the rowers and parents in to the regatta area

 

·        Driving time is approximately 2-2.5 hours.  Parking is approximately one half mile offsite, and a shuttle is usually provided.  Large bulky items (such as large coolers) are allowed, but can be inconvenient due to limited space on buses. 

 

b.      Notes: Because of the location, weather can be unpredictable - and colder than one might expect …do not judge the weather based on what it is in Chesapeake.  Blankets and layered clothing are advised.  Bathroom facilities are the temporary kind and can be short of supplies.  Better to bring your own.  Limited food choices are available (sometimes better sometimes not so good …they are famous for crab cake sandwiches).  All food profit goes toward maintaining the wharf.  The road to the parking lot is paved, the actual parking lot is not.  No seating is available - bring chairs.  Viewing rails along the wharf are excellent locations for taking pictures.  Mathews usually has race T-Shirts for sale.

 

5.      Head of the James. 

 

a.       Directions:

 

Take I-64 West towards Richmond
Take Exit 200 to merge onto I-295 North toward Washington DC
Take exit 53A to merge onto I-64 West toward Charlottesville
Take Exit 175 for State Hwy 288 South
Merge onto VA-288 South
Take the exit toward Huguenot Trail 
Turn Left at Huguenot Trail
Turn Left at Robious Forest Way then turn left at James River Rd.

 

 

6.      Occoquan.

 

a.       Directions:

 

Take I-64 West towards Richmond
Take Exit 200 to merge onto I-295 North toward Washington DC
Pick up I-95N toward DC
Stay on I-95
Take the Occoquan Exit 160B off I-95 for 123N toward Occoquan/Lake Ridge
Travel apprx. 4 miles and turn left on Hampton Road. 
After 8/10 of a mile, the road will fork slightly, go left on Van Thompson Road. 
Follow Van Thompson to the entrance of Sandy Run Regional Park.  

 

b.       Notes.   First of all - it's about 3 or 3.5 hours drive.  There is food at the regatta site, but you might want to pack a small cooler if you have one.  Just bring enough for you and any non-rower traveling with you.  A backpack is a good idea. Parking (depending on how many schools are there) can either be very easy or downright distant (with bus service to the site).  It's better if you don't have to lug a large cooler around - if you can manage something small or with wheels you're ahead of the game. It can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 to park ...Cash.   Weather varies.  Stay up on the forecast.  Plan on driving rain, scorching sun and chilly wind all on the same day.  Layers work best.  So do blankets.  If you're driving, you might want to throw in some old towels and a trash bag along with your travel gear.  If the kids are wet, they are muddy and it can be hard on your auto interior.  To that end, tell your rower to bring a change of clothes or at least a couple of pairs of dry socks.  Be Prepared!  Bring a camp chair - you can get them for around $7 at any discount store.  Seating is sketchy so you can be on your feet for about 6 hours.  In the Spring bleacher seating is available .  If you plan to hike to the bleachers, you will not need the chair.  There is a shuttle that charges $1 each way.  Binoculars help if you want to catch a glimpse of your child rowing.  Spring sprint races will bring your rower's boat with a few yards of where you're standing.  Fall races mean you'll be picking your child out from a distance.  The Occoquan site has one pretty steep hill and a rocky trail to and from the bleachers (you usually only go to the bleachers in the Spring).  Pets are not allowed.  They almost always sell regatta t-shirts and the kids usually want to buy them.  Those run around $14 - $20.  The club will provide food for your rower ...but not your rower's sibling.  If you're sending your rower with another parent, please make sure you give them enough cash to buy meals on the road.   There are bathrooms onsite, at least one is handicapped accessible.  Rarely do they have purell in the dispensers.  Bring your own.