The city of Oakland and USRowing are excited to host the 2018 USRowing Masters National Championships at Lake Merritt this week, from August 16-19, 2018 (Thursday to Sunday, racing each day from 8 am to 6 pm). USRowing has announced that this event has the most registrants than any other event hosted before, with over 1,300 rowers competing.

The event is free for spectators to attend and offers local food trucks daily from 11 am to 7 pm, a beer garden featuring local breweries daily from noon to 8 pm and races on the lake all day from 8 am to 6 pm.

2018 USRowing Masters National Championships

August 16-19, 2018 | 8 am to 6 pm

Lake Merritt, Oakland

FREE to watch – food trucks & beer garden located at Lake Merritt Boat House More Info | Map

Known as the “Crown Jewel” of Oakland, Lake Merritt is an urban lake in the middle of downtown. With a 3.2 mile circumference, the naturally developed, humanly maintained lake is a mix of fresh and salt water connected to the Oakland Estuary leading out to the San Francisco Bay. The competition-quality waters of Lake Merritt have hosted other water sports and events in the past with USRowing now being the largest competition at the venue to date.

Want to live it up? On August 16 there will be a $45 opening reception event from 6-9 pm held at Lake Chalet’s docks on Lake Merritt – adjacent to the starting line. A full bar with one complimentary drink, a lavish taco bar and heavy hor d’oeuvres will be served. The USRowing Men’s National Team Coach, Mike Teti, regarded as the most successful men’s coach in US history, will be speaking at the event from 7-8 pm along with some of the current USRowing team members.