“Head of the Genesee” Regatta Seeks Teams For Corporate Challenge

The “Head of the Genesee” regatta, co-hosted by Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester, is seeking companies to participate in The Pike Company Corporate Challenge, a new feature of the annual crew competition. The regatta marks its 18th anniversary on Oct. 8.

The Corporate Challenge, which was inaugurated at last year’s regatta provides an opportunity for area company employees to participate in a competitive and fun race that also promotes team building and community spirit within their organizations. In order to help companies’ teams prepare for the race, six 90-minute training sessions are provided by RIT and UR crew coaches for eight rowers per company (plus two alternates). A limited number of corporate entries are available on a first-come, first-serve basis for an entry fee of $2,500.

“The Head of the Genesee Regatta has been a wonderful event for Rochester,” said Tom Judson, chairman and CEO of The Pike Company. “We are delighted to sponsor this year’s Corporate Challenge and welcome all comers. It has been a great teambuilding experience for us, and I’m confident that any company that wishes to participate will be very glad they did.”

The regatta has become a popular fall festival for the greater Rochester region, drawing nearly 10,000 spectators annually to the banks of the Genesee River and Genesee Valley Park. The event brings more than 800 collegiate competitors to the area.

The Corporate Challenge, new to last year’s regatta, provided an exciting head-to-head competition between The Pike Company and LeChase Construction, while members of both companies cheered on their colleagues along the riverbank.

Eric Schoenhardt, a Pike project director, rowed on last year’s winning team. “Rowing an eight man boat is not done, cannot be done, by individuals merely adding their skills together,” he said. “It requires teamwork. When all eight rowers hit a few strokes together perfectly, the boat just leaps. It is a great sensation. Six months after the event there still remains a special unity and enthusiasm for rowing among those in our company who participated. We are looking forward to doing it again.”

In addition to RIT and UR, and other regional institutions, university participants typically include Harvard, Yale, Syracuse, University of Wisconsin, Brown, Colgate, St. Lawrence, Hamilton and Dartmouth in the U.S., as well as Queens and Brock Universities in Canada. Rowing, or crew, is becoming an increasingly popular and visible sport within the region, which has also spurred community-wide interest in the regatta.

To enter a company or organization into the Corporate Challenge, contact RIT’s Office of Government and Community Relations at 585-475-5012 or e-mail cindee.gray@rit.edu. Additional information about the regatta can be found at: http://www.headofthegenesee.com