The Kelowna Rowing Club is proud to host The Head of the Okanagan on the shores of Gellatly Bay in West Kelowna. Having rowed on Okanagan Lake for over 100 years, we're excited to welcome crews of all ages and experience to this scenic head race — and we'd like to thank the City of West Kelowna for their support of our new home.

This regatta is sanctioned by Rowing BC and races are governed by the Canadian Rules of Racing defined by Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA).

Event at a glance

• DateSaturday, September 26, 2026
• LocationPebble Beach, 2585 Whitworth Road, West Kelowna, BC (racing on Gellatly Bay)
• CourseApprox. 5 km head race
• CategoriesJuniors (all categories & novice), Open, and Masters
• TimingGarrett Masters Age-Adjusted Time System
• Entry fee$45 (includes RCA $4.30 & Rowing BC $3.75 seat fees)
• Race start9:00 am

The Race & Course

Our race is open to rowers of all ages and experience. The course is approximately 5 km, starting north of Barona Beach, heading around the corner into Gellatly Bay, around the Cove, and on to the finish line in front of Pebble Beach.

When all competitors are in position, the Marshal begins the starting procedure, sending boats off at intervals in head-race format. Before each event the Marshal verifies the presence of scheduled competitors — any crew that does not appear within 5 minutes of its scheduled start time may be excluded.

This regatta implements the RCA Rules of Racing, including Appendix 2, 2.1.3 on course boundaries. If a crew misses a buoy, a time penalty or disqualification may apply depending on the severity — this will be reviewed at the coaches and athletes meeting with the Head Umpire.

Location, Launch & Parking

The launch and finish line are at Pebble Beach, 2585 Whitworth Road, West Kelowna, BC. Please note the beach is small rocks, not sand — wear appropriate footwear.

Parking is limited. We ask that boats and trailers be unloaded either the night before or before 7:00 am at Pebble Beach, with tow vehicles and trailers then parking for the day at the Gellatly Bay boat launch. There is limited single-vehicle parking at the site — please park only where indicated by City of West Kelowna signs.

Race-Day Schedule

• 7:00 am — Coaches and athletes meeting (mandatory for all). Head Umpire Ge-An Rijniersce will review safety and procedures.
• 7:30 am — Control Commission opens; launching begins.
• 7:30–8:00 am — All boats wet-launched at Pebble Beach, past the Control Commission.
• 8:15 am — All athletes should be on the water.
• 8:45 am — Crews ready at the staging area behind the start line (race may start early if all crews are ready).
• 9:00 am — Race start.

Registration & Fees

Entries are made through Regatta Central. Registration opens by August 1. Please try to register fully before midnight on September 19. Late registrations are accepted through Regatta Central up until September 24 at 11:59 pm, and we'll do our best to accommodate additions on race day.

The entry fee is $45, including RCA ($4.30) and Rowing BC ($3.75) seat fees.

Eligibility: All athletes must be currently registered with their provincial association and RCA. American entries must be registered with USRA.

For late entries, please contact Karan Bowyer at karan.bowyer@gmail.com.

Safety

• All boats with flexible shoes must be fitted with heel tie-downs, set at 7 cm. Please check these before arriving — there is no time to fix them at check-in, and it can delay your launch and others'.
• A proper bow-ball is required on all shells.
• Bow markers/clips are provided by the organizers — all shells must be fitted with bow clips.
• Okanagan Lake is a large body of water and conditions can change quickly. Please be prepared for all weather. In rough water, we recommend singles do not attempt the race unless in coastal boats.

Risk: Competitors and crews participate entirely at their own risk. The decision to race is that of the competing crew alone. Neither the Kelowna Rowing Club, the Regatta Committee, nor its affiliates assume any liability for material damage, personal injury, or death sustained in conjunction with, prior to, during, or after the event.

Protect Our Waters

We acknowledge that we row on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx (Okanagan) peoples.

The Kelowna Rowing Club wishes to thank the Province of British Columbia, the City of West Kelowna, and RDCO for their support.