Nearly 5,000 expected Friday, Saturday for Lake Lanier event

GAINESVILLE - More than 4,500 rowers and spectators from around the south are expected in Gainesville Friday and Saturday for the John Hunter Regatta.

The 29th edition of the annual event will be held at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue Saturday, March 28, with practice scheduled Friday.

The event is open to all college, scholastic, and youth rowing teams and is expected to attract more than 1,500 rowers and 3,000 spectators, representing more than 50 colleges and youth teams from throughout Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Florida.

Practice sessions will be held Friday from 2:00-6:00 at the Clarks Bridge Road site with the competition beginning Saturday at 8:00 and continuing through 5:30.

"The Hunter" is named to honor a benefactor to the Georgia Tech and Saint Andrew rowing clubs. John Hunter was instrumental in his support of the Georgia Tech Rowing Club and in the formation of the Saint Andrew youth team.

Host for the event is the Lake Lanier Rowing Club, which was founded in 1993 as a non-profit organization to promote the sport of rowing in northeast Georgia for the full spectrum of potential participants