Row the Roanoke!
The Roanoke River, whose glassy surface slides by the historic NC Inner Banks town of Plymouth, is one of the best kept secrets in rowing. The lower Roanoke is an ideal race location with its protected flat waters and relatively straight and narrow course. Because of the protected glassy waters, Plymouth has been the choice location for outboard drag boat races for over 20 years, including the national championship. In addition, there are two boat ramps in downtown Plymouth 1,200 feet apart, one of which has a new 60” low profile EZ Dock installed for just for rowing. The average width is 450’ and an average depth of 20’. The average river flow is 6 knots. The Town of Plymouth also has a large flat park at both ends of the waterfront that is available for staging and parking. There is a half mile of waterfront which can accommodate thousands of spectators.

“During my thirty-plus years coaching rowing I have been to many racecourses on the East Coast and West Coast. The Roanoke River in Plymouth is about as ideal as they get for both Sprints and Head races. Being about equal distant from North Carolina rowing clubs and Virginia rowing clubs, Plymouth is a good meeting place for both regions to compete.”

James Thomson
Maury High School and Norfolk Youth Rowing Club Head Coach
Rowing

Distances from Plymouth:
Raleigh: 120 miles (2 hours)
Rocky Mount at I-95: 70 miles (1hr. 15 min.)
NC Outer Banks: 70 Miles (1 hr. 15 min.)
Norfolk, VA 90 miles (1 hr. 30 min.)
Richmond, VA 145 miles (3 hrs.)
Washington DC 250 miles ((5 hrs.)
   
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