Gator Chaser Head Race returning to Lake Monroe for second year
Seminole Herald; Sanford, Fla.; Nov. 6, 2002; Copyright 2002

The boats are coming back to town.

The Gator Chaser Head Race presented by Greenberg Traurig Law (formerly know as the Head of Lake Monroe Regatta) is returning to Sanford Saturday for the second consecutive year.  More than 1,500 rowers, about 25 teams, are expected to compete in the day long event.

“We had a good response from the rowing community following last year’s event,” said Ezra Simmons of Mitty Events, the organizer for the regatta.  “We are also receiving continued support from the Greenberg Traurig Law Firm.”

The event will feature top competitors from high schools, college and masters level rowers from the entire Southeast.  Olympic hopeful and Rollins College alumni Gavin Frase will also be participating in the race. Frase finished second in the U.S. National Team Tryouts on Aug. 20 in the lightweight men’s single event.

“What’s amazing about the event is that we are going to have nationally ranked rowers, as well as high school rowers,” Simmons said. “Two of the best rowers in the country are going to be here.”

With support from the Orlando law firm, Mitty Events brought back competitive rowing to Lake Monroe for the first time in 25 years at last year’s race.  The race featured 14 teams, including local high schools such as, Lake Brantley High School and Edgewater High School.

Simmons said, as a result of last year’s success, the number of competitors expected for Saturday’s race has almost doubled from the 2001 regatta.

“People heard that we had a good turn out last year and that it was a great event,” he said.  “As a result, we have had a lot of local teams sign up.”

“Thanks to the generous participation of Greenberg Traurig Law firm and in response to the enthusiastic feedback we received from the rowing community, Mitty Events is please to present the Second Annual Gator Chaser Head Race,” Said Mitty Events Partner Ezra Simmons.  “We look forward to continuing this annual event and becoming the preeminent fall head race regatta in the southeast”.

Since the Lake Monroe Race is at the end of the fall rowing season, Simmons said many of the rowers will use their times to prepare for next season.  In the classic “Head Race” style rowing regatta, racers will row one boat at a time on a 3-mile course, with the fastest time determining the winner.

Mitty Events plans to hold the Lake Monroe race on an annual basis, Simmons said.  Eventually, the presenters would like to see the event become a regional event, incorporating rowers from throughout the southeast.

“We want to show people what Florida Rowing is all about,” he said.

The fun won’t be limited to the waters of Lake Monroe.  Food and other vendors will be on shore for both spectators and racers.

For more information about Saturdays race, call Simmons at 407-265-8250.