On April 2, GVSU Rowing hosts the annual Lubbers Cup Regatta from the Spring Lake Yacht Club. The races run from 8 a.m. until the awards ceremony at 2:00 p.m.

John Bancheri, GVSU’s Director of Rowing and Varsity Men’s Head Coach, talks about the history of the regatta, “The Lubbers Cup started 16 years ago under Coach Richard Laurance as a duel with Michigan State University. In sixteen years, this event has seen tremendous growth and an increased level of competition. This annual event has drawn some of the faster club and varsity crews in the Midwest. In fact, in the last three years, four of the top intercollegiate clubs teams in the country have competed at the Lubbers Cup Regatta. The rowing world looks at this event as a benchmark for early season speed.”

The 16th Annual Lubbers Cup Regatta promises to be the best one in the history of the event. Competing this year are the cadets from the US Coast Guard Academy (New London, CT), Dad Vail Champions and Henley Royal Regatta (UK) finalists - Brock University (Canada), University of Virginia who is ranked as one of the top three club schools in the USA, as well as the regular fast crews from Michigan including GVSU, Michigan State University, and University of Michigan, along with Ohio State University and other competitive Midwest crews.

The local communities are excited to be the host location for this annual event. Rowing has long taken place on the areas waterways, dating back to 1874 when the Grand Haven & Spring Lake Rowing Association sponsored an invitational regatta on Spring Lake, attracting participants from Detroit and Chicago. That same year, a local resident, Frank E. Yates, won the American Championship.

Chamber President, Joy Gaasch stated, “Partnering with GVSU to bring rowers from all over the county to Spring Lake is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our communities to parents, students and faculty. With a sense of pride we can all celebrate Spring Lake’s amazing heritage in the sport of rowing.” Races can be viewed from the Spring Lake Yacht Club, Beach Drive and North Jackson Street. The last 500 meters of the race can be seen from Barrett Boat Works.

“Come to Spring Lake for the second largest regatta in the USA the weekend of April 2nd on America’s Other West Coast!” stated Bancheri.