Blame it on the abrupt departure of the USRowing Training center three years ago.
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Blame it on the gradual decline in the sport's popularity here after reaching its peak with the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.
Blame it on the economy or the perception that rowing is a sport reserved for the wealthy.
Augusta Rowing Club executive director Sean Hall has wracked his brain trying to pinpoint why interest in the sport continues to spiral downward locally.
Although Augusta offers some of the most ideal conditions for year-round rowing in the United States because of the mild winter climate and calm Savannah River water, club membership and program enrollment is down.
Support for the club's annual showcase event - the Head of the South Regatta, which will be held Saturday - is also at an all-time low.
"There are several factors," said Hall, a three-time U.S. Olympic rower. "Whatever the reason, the support from the community isn't there like it once was. A lot of people don't even realize we're still here."
Hall hopes to reignite local interest in rowing, beginning Saturday when nearly 1,000 rowers converge on Augusta for the seventh annual Head of the South.
Creating a festive atmosphere for spectators, Hall says, is part of the game plan. Along with the races - many of which will feature world-class and national-level athletes - there will be live music blaring at The Boathouse.
"We're trying to attract more people from the community to come out, and we're also hoping to attract more clubs from out of town to come back here next year by making it a really fun experience," Hall said. "We want the Head of South to become tradition, just like the Head of the Charles in Boston and some of the other big regattas."
With Hall and world-renowned head coach Igor Grinko leading the way, cultivating local interest and selling it as an ideal sport for youngsters remains the club's top priority.
For years, Hall has envisioned introducing rowing as a varsity sport at area high schools, but politics and red tape have complicated those efforts.
"The football coaches don't want us stealing athletes from them, but that's not what we're trying to do," Hall said. "Not everyone can go to college on a football or baseball scholarship, so there are kids who need other opportunities in other sports. We've had more than 60 of our junior rowers go on to college.
"If we could get 10 to 20 kids from each high school in the area, we'd have well over 400 kids and we'd be well on our way to building one of the top junior programs in the country."
Hall says the club also has "the lowest membership dues in the country," and offers affordable programs for rowers of all ages and skill levels.
"If we can just spread the word and show enough people the sport, we can build it back up," Hall said.
ON TRACK: Team Velocity Racing, an Augusta-based motorcycle racing team, concluded the 2003 WERA National Endurance Series season with a third-place finish and placed second in the mediumweight superstock class at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga., last Friday.
Team Velocity founder and rider Chuck Ivey teamed with local rider Reuben Frankenfield and two other guest riders for the pair of top-3 finishes.
Visit the team's Website at www.teamvelocityracing.com for more information on motorcycle racing, events and results.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: The Head of the South Invitational Regatta, hosted by the Augusta Rowing Club
WHEN: Saturday, races begin at 8 a.m.
WHERE: The Boathouse, 101 Riverfront Drive, Augusta
WHY: The regatta will feature some of the top rowers in the nation competing at elite, masters (senior), collegiate and junior levels. This year's event also will feature live music at The Boathouse, beginning at noon Saturday.
IF YOU ROW: Call the Augusta Rowing Club at (706) 821-2875 or go to www.augustarows.com for information on rowing programs.
Reach Rob Mueller at (706) 823-3425
