July 14 marked the end of five days of racing on the Cooper River in Camden County at the Club National Regatta.
The racing on the Cooper, which is one of the best venues for rowing in the United States, resulted in 71 national championships being determined.
Involved in the regatta were 1,300 crews from around the country and from Canada.
Vesper Boat Club from Philadelphia walked away with 14 of the championships — receiving the most overall points, the most women’s points and the most men’s points.
The Club Nationals Regatta is operated by an army of volunteer officials from U.S. Rowing and hundreds of volunteers who drove launch boats, stake boaters (who hold boats while lying on starting platforms) controlled boat traffic on docks, presented awards, helped with weighing in rowers and boats and cleaned debris from the river.
The debris resulted from torrential rains during the regatta, through which rowers and volunteers persevered.
Other weather issues included heat, humidity and one thunderstorm, which briefly delayed the competition.
Rutgers Alumni Rowing and Camden County cosponsor the event.
Many local businesses helped to support the event by providing refreshments for the volunteers.
There was a great economic impact on the area as rowers and their families patronized many local businesses during the five days of the 2013 Club National Regatta.
