Chicago Sprints Regatta

The Chicago Sprints is one of the largest competitive regattas in the region, drawing junior, collegiate and masters athletes from throughout the Midwest. The Chicago Sprints features 1,000-meter, side-by-side, Henley-style racing. The regatta regularly hosts more than 1,000 athletes, fielding entries from more than 30 clubs drawing from states across the country. It is attended by hundreds of spectators who line the course situated between Lake Shore Drive and the Lincoln Park Zoo.

This is a three day Regatta. Each event will go through its entire progression on the same day.

Friday Racing includes all Middle School events, and Juniors 1x and 2x racing.

Saturday Racing - Juniors Varsity, Open and Masters Racing.

Sunday Racing - Junior Novice, Open and Masters Events.

Event Schedule will be posted on Regatta Central.

Registration for the 2025 Chicago Sprints Regatta is available on Regatta Central.

As in previous years, we are expecting the Regatta to be in high demand. We encourage crews to enter or join the waitlist as soon as possible.

Lincoln Park Boat House is located on the Lincoln Park Zoo, within the Lincoln Park. For GPS, the formal address is:

2341 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614.

This is near the intersection of Fullerton Avenue and Lake Shore Drive.

Trailer arrival windows:

Friday all day starting at 8:00am (no sooner)

Saturday / Sunday all day starting at 7:00am (no sooner)

!!! Plywood: Trailers will not be permitted to pull onto the lawn without plywood underneath the wheels to protect the grass. Please bring your own plywood, as the LPBC has extremely limited supply.

Parking: Trucks / cars cannot remain on the grass near the trailer. Trucks must be detached from their trailer and may be parked either in the Northeast section of the zoo lot (just east of the entrance gate), or outside of the zoo lot entirely if you choose to save money on parking fees. Some free street parking exists in the neighborhood, but tends to fill early.

Additional Instructions:

Rowing trailers are not allowed on Lake Shore Drive.

Bridge heights in the area can be low, so be sure to plan your route before exiting the highway.

Trailers should enter & exit the parking gates on the far left side. Please look for signs that point to the gate for trailers/trucks. This gate is for oversized vehicles and stays open longer and will not come down on your boats. You will damage trailered boats and the exit tollbooth if you do not use the left most gate.

Directions

If you are coming from South of Chicago, exit at Division or Fullerton. Right turns from North Avenue from the highway are VERY DIFFICULT and should be avoided from the South.

If you are coming from North of Chicago, exit at Fullerton.

Security

Security will be provided overnight for both Friday and Saturday nights to keep an eye on boats and trailers; however neither the regatta, its sponsors nor the Chicago Park District or the Lincoln Park Zoo can be responsible for damage to property left in or around the Boathouse area/lawn. Please do not leave any loose items (tool boxes, cox boxes etc.) unsecured.

2023 Course Map

Teams are responsible for their own lodging.

Nearby options include:

1. La Quinta at 1 S Franklin St, Chicago, IL 60606

2. Holiday Inn on N. Wabash

3. Crowne Plaza on W. Madison

4. Hard Rock Hotel at 230 N. Michigan

5. Best Western on S. Michigan Ave

6. Days Inn Chicago, 644 West Diversey Parkway

7. Hotel Lincoln, 1816 North Clark Street (this is within walking distance of the LIncoln Park Boat Club)

Please note that all downtown hotels will likely charge for daily parking.

Parking:

Parking for the Lincoln Park Boat Club is within the Lincoln Park Zoo lot. The Lincoln Park Zoo’s lot will likely fill up early both days and street parking around the lagoon may be hard to find. We’re advising those racing to plan accordingly.

Paid parking is run through the Lincoln Park Zoo (which owns the lot), with the parking lot entrance located at Fullerton Parkway and Cannon Drive (2400 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614). Parking fees are collected at the lot exit.

Parking rates at the zoo:

0–30 minutes: Free

30 minutes–2 hours: $20

2–4 hours: $24

4–5 hours: $30

5 hours or more: $35

Free and Metered city street parking is available throughout the Lincoln Park Neighborhood, but is in high demand. Please plan accordingly.

Can we set up a grill? — No, grilling is prohibited without a Chicago Parks District issued permit.

Do Middle School events count for points? — Yes, placement in MS events counts towards team points trophies.