East Bay Rowing Club (EBRC) will host the fifth annual Boats Without Barriers Regatta [1] on April 19, continuing its mission of creating a welcoming and inclusive racing environment for all athletes.
[2]This year’s theme, “Built to Belong,” highlights the idea that rowing is strongest when everyone has a place in the boat. The regatta features Masters racing for novices, adaptive rowers, men/male-identifying athletes, women/female-identifying athletes, and nonbinary athletes. By intentionally creating space for a wide range of competitors, Boats Without Barriers celebrates both the diversity and unity of the rowing community.
Boats Without Barriers was launched by EBRC in 2022 as an inclusive alternative after the club advocated against the decision by USRowing to hold the Masters National Championships in Florida. The location raised concerns among many clubs due to state laws restricting transgender athletes’ participation in sports and limiting discussions of LGBTQ+ identities in classrooms. In response, EBRC created a regatta centered on belonging and access—a vision that has since grown into a nationally recognized event welcoming rowers from across the country.
Today, the Oakland-based regatta continues to champion the idea that the sport of rowing should be open, accessible, and affirming for everyone who wants to be on the water.
“Five years ago, Boats Without Barriers started with the simple idea that everyone deserves a place in the boat,” said Executive Director Heather Krakora. “What began as a response to exclusion has grown into a celebration of what rowing can be when we intentionally create space for everyone. This year’s theme, ‘Built to Belong,’ reflects what we’re building together—a rowing community where athletes of all identities feel welcomed, respected, and empowered every time they come to the water.”
Set on the historic Oakland-Alameda Estuary, this year’s Boats Without Barriers Regatta will feature 1,000-meter sweep and sculling races, along with high-energy 500-meter dash events. Rowers from across the country will gather to compete while celebrating diversity and supporting the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Proceeds from the 500-meter dash will benefit Gender Spectrum [3], supporting its work to create a more gender-inclusive world for children and youth.
The course begins near Brooklyn Basin and finishes in front of Eve’s Waterfront, just past the viewing dock at Jack London Aquatic Center. Racing begins at 8 a.m. and concludes at around 2 p.m. Spectators are encouraged to bring binoculars for the best views along the waterfront.
How to participate
Registration is currently open. Information and materials are available online at Regatta Central [4].
Final deadline is April 11 at 11:59 p.m.; late registration opens April 12 at noon and closes April 15 at 11:59 p.m.
Where to watch
Racecourse spectator viewing is available at the Jack London Aquatic Center finish area (Estuary Park, 115 Embarcadero, Oakland) and Township Commons waterfront park (Brooklyn Basin, 288 Ninth Avenue, Oakland).