THE RIVERGATE REPORT - Fall 2025
- Cleveland Rowing Foundation
- Oct 29
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 31
News from the Cleveland Rowing Foundation, celebrating our athletes, partners, and the growing community that makes the Cuyahoga a river for everyone.
Welcome to The Rivergate Report!
From the banks of the Cuyahoga River — welcome to the inaugural edition of The Rivergate Report, your source for stories, updates, and community highlights from the Cleveland Rowing Foundation.
Together, we celebrate the athletes, volunteers, and neighbors who make Cleveland’s waterfront a hub for recreation, environmental stewardship, and community connection.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s keep pulling together to make the Cuyahoga a river for everyone. 🌊🚣♀️
THE 29tH Annual HEAD OF THE CUYAHOGA Regatta
🏆 Head of the Cuyahoga 2025: A Celebration on the Water
The 29th Annual Head of the Cuyahoga Regatta brought thousands of athletes, families, and fans to the banks of the Cuyahoga River for a spectacular day of racing and community spirit. Rowers from across North America joined our hometown crews for one of the region’s most beloved sporting events — a true showcase of Cleveland hospitality and teamwork.
From sunrise to the final horn, the river came alive with over 500 entries across youth, collegiate, and masters programs — a day filled with fierce competition, joyful camaraderie, and shared pride in our waterfront city. The regatta generated an estimated $1.4 million in local economic impact, underscoring its importance as both a sporting tradition and a driver of community vitality.
Cleveland’s hometown powerhouse, Western Reserve Rowing Association (WRRA), captured the Overall Team Points Trophy, with Westerville Rowing Club earning a strong runner-up finish. In the youth divisions, St. Ignatius bested hometown rival St. Edward in a thrilling Boys series, while Indianapolis Rowing Center edged Westerville by just one point to claim the Girls title.
A fan favorite moment came from the novice moms’ team, who took home silver medals — just like their sons from St. Edward High School. Their shared success perfectly embodied the spirit of the Head of the Cuyahoga: community, family, and the enduring love of the sport.
None of this would have been possible without our extraordinary volunteers, sponsors, and maritime partners whose dedication makes the regatta possible each year. Together, we once again proved that Cleveland truly shines on the water.
SAVE THE DATE: September 26, 2026 the Head of the Cuyahoga Returns for our 30th Anniversary!
Community Rowing Expands on the Cuyahoga
This year, the Cleveland Rowing Foundation (CRF) made tremendous strides in expanding access to the Cuyahoga River—introducing more than 300 students from across Greater Cleveland to the sport of rowing and the teamwork, confidence, and connection that come with it.
Through our Row Cleveland initiative, more than 160 students participated in our Summer Rowing Program in partnership with Open Doors Academy. Thanks to generous support from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), students experienced hands-on learning about environmental stewardship, river health, and teamwork—while discovering the joy of being on the water.
Building on that success, CRF was awarded a $35,000 grant from the Port of Cleveland, allowing us to expand community partnerships and deepen our reach into Cleveland’s neighborhoods. This support has fueled new collaborations with 100 Black Men of Greater Cleveland, connecting youth and their mentors through rowing, leadership development, and team-building experiences on the river.
We’re also proud to partner with Argonaut and the students at Davis Aerospace & Maritime High School, providing recreational rowing experiences for students in the Maritime Program. During the first two weeks of the school year alone, more than 120 students joined us on the Cuyahoga for their first time—an unforgettable introduction to Cleveland’s waterfront and to the power of teamwork.
As CRF continues to grow its community programming, we rely on the generosity of supporters who believe in making the river accessible to all. Your donations help sustain and expand initiatives like Row Cleveland—funding equipment, coaching, and scholarships that keep young people engaged and on the water. Together, we can continue building a more inclusive, connected, and inspired Cleveland—one stroke at a time.
Attend The 2025 CRF Annual Meeting
Join Us as We Look Ahead
Celebrate another successful year on the Cuyahoga and learn more about the exciting plans shaping the future of rowing in Cleveland
Agenda Highlights Include
2025 Year in Review
Campus Improvements
Community Rowing & Partnerships
Vision for the Future
Location & Timing
Saturday, November 22nd
10am-12pm
Erg Room at CRF - 1003 British Street, Cleveland, OH. 44102
