GW Invite

In 2026, GW Rowing is celebrating 70 years of Men's Rowing and 50 years of Women's Rowing.

Please join us from Friday, April 10 through Sunday, April 12 for a weekend-long celebration.

GW Rowing's annual home sprint regatta will take place on Saturday, April 11.
Top collegiate programs (TBA) will travel to D.C. for duals and three-boat races, starting near the "Three Sisters" and finishing in front of Thompson Boat Center.
Esteemed GWMR alumni Aquil Abdullah '96 and Alex DelSordo '08 will commentate the full day of racing.

All times listed below are subject to change.

Please email friendsofGWMR@gmail.com with any questions.

The countdown is on!

Saturday, April 11th

7:00 - 8:00AM

Alumni Run - Monument & Cherry Blossom Loop

Start & End at: Thompson Boat Center (2900 Virginia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037)

ALL DAY

Racing!

Potomac River, Georgetown Waterfront, Washington, D.C. | Competitors TBA

7:00 – 8:00 PM

Cocktail Hour - Alumni & Supporters 21+ Only

University Student Center Grand Ballroom (800 21st St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052)

8:00 – 10:00 PM

Anniversary Banquet - All Welcome (Including Athletes)

University Student Center Grand Ballroom (800 21st St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20052)

Sunday, April 12th

8:00 - 11:00AM

Alumni Row & New Boat/Seat Dedications

Thompson Boat Center (2900 Virginia Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20037)

11:00AM - noon

Alumni & Supporter Brunch

Location TBA

Can't Make It? Stay in Touch with GW Rowing...

Fostering Year-Round Engagement and Support

Women's Rowing Giving: Women's Rowing is a varsity sport at GW. The GW Athletics Department drives support for Women's Rowing and its varsity sports through the Buff & Blue Fund. Please email buffblue@gwu.edu for more information on giving to Women's Rowing.

Men's Rowing Giving: Men's Rowing is a club sport at GW. While GW University still collects donations for Men's Rowing, giving to the GW Athletics Buff & Blue Fund no longer supports Men's Rowing. Friends of GW Men's Rowing Inc. was organized in 2021 to sustain the program for the next 70 years and beyond. While the team sees money given to Friends or GW University all the same, certain donation types are more appropriate for one over the other. Please email chawthorne46@gmail.com (Friends Fundraising Committee Chair Chris Hawthorne '84) to determine which Men's Rowing giving avenue is best for you.

Regatta History: A D.C. Tradition Since 1988

Crowds Gather Each April for Rowing, Blossoms, and Reunions

GW Rowing has hosted the GW Invite since 1988 (with a three-year hiatus from 2020 through 2022), typically during the second weekend of April.

The regatta has previously been named the GW Cherry Blossom Invitational Crew Classic (1988-89), GW Invitational Crew Classic (1990-2006), GW Invitational Regatta (2007-10), GW Invitational/Potomac Challenge (2011-12), and GW Invitational or GW Invite (since 2012).

Each year, alumni and supporters look forward to gathering along the Georgetown Waterfront and in Foggy Bottom for great racing, food, drinks, and company.

In the Media:

The GW Invitational: A Guide (2016)

GW Men's Rowing