Rowing festival Sunday

Rowers of all skill levels will be racing Sunday morning during

the annual Newport Autumn Rowing Festival at Newport Harbor.

The annual rowing regatta is expected to draw more than 1,300

competitors racing in 250 rowing shells from California rowing clubs

along a 2.7-mile course beginning at 8 a.m. under the Via Lido Bridge

at the west end of Lido Island.

The race traverses along the south side of Lido Island, turns

north and crosses under the bridge at Pacific Coast Highway before

finishing at the Newport Aquatic Center, the organization that hosts

the event.

Participants include athletes of all ages and skill levels and

feature Olympians, Masters, Juniors and collegiate athletes from UC

Berkeley, Stanford, UC Irvine, Orange Coast College, UCSD, USD, San

Diego State, Cal State Long Beach and many others.

Competitors will compete for medals and trophies.

The best place to watch the boats during the race is from the Via

Lido Bridge, the cliffs overlooking the PCH bridge, the entrance to

Upper Newport Bay or at the finish line at the aquatic center.

The regatta is expected to conclude around 11 a.m.