ACCOMMODATIONS, DINING, VENDORS:
- Accommodations - coming soon
- Dining Guide - updated: 11/01/2009
- Vendor Application - coming soon
- Family Activities - updated: 11/01/2009
- Sarasota Visitor Bureau Info
REGATTA VENUE DESCRIPTION: (parking map) (site plan) (interactive map)
Sarasota's Cooper Creek in Nathan Benderson Park (formerly Copper Creek Park) lies about 5.5 miles east of the center of Sarasota's downtown district and is just west of Interstate 75 between University Parkway (exit 213) and Fruitville Road (exit 210). The race course is oriented north/south on the west side of the lake. There is a paved walkway along the entire length of the west side of the lake. The vehicle entrance is at the southwest corner of the lake with an access road going up the west side of the lake. Public restrooms, a fishing pier and a gazebo are located about 1/3 up the lake and a public boat ramp is located about 2/3 up the lake.
COUNTY PARK RESTRICTIONS:
1) Gas powered engines are not allowed on the lake. Special waivers for official launches w/ 4-cycle engines are required for regatta events.
2) County ordinances mandate that there be NO ALCOHOL ON THE PREMISES.
3) NO PETS ALLOWED other than personal guide assistant dogs.
PARKING:
County restrictions on the number of vehicles within this park require limitations be enforced in regards to regatta onsite parking. All team vehicles (except for trailer towing vehicles with passes) are required to park off-site on commercial property adjacent to the north side of the regatta venue. Walking distance is about half mile from the parking area to the north entrance of the regatta venue. Shuttle buses will be running during regatta hours between the parking area and the north entrance. Parking fees: $5.00 per vehicle per day.
Parking Directions for all vehicles without passes:
- Vehicle Navigation Address: 150 N Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
- From I-75 exit 213 (University Pkwy), head west toward Sarasota.
- At the first traffic signal (Cooper Creek Blvd / N. Cattlemen Road), turn left (south).
- Car parking will be on the left at the 3rd traffic circle (following the parking signs); bus parking is to the right.
- Parking attendants will be there to assist.
Parking Directions for Officials, Vendors, ADA, and tow vehicles with passes:
- Vehicle Navigation Address: 2500 N Honore Ave, Sarasota, FL 34235
- From I-75 exit 210 (Fruitville Road), head west toward Sarasota.
- After 1.2 miles, turn right (north) on to N. Honore Avenue.
- After 1.5 miles, turn right (east) into Benderson Park (formerly Cooper Creek Park). This is a controlled entrance.
- Go to the end of the entrance road, turn left and continue north.
- All vehicles except boat trailers must park on the west side (opposite the lake) of this road.
- Boat trailers, after reaching the boat ramp area, will continue straight on thru the control gate. Proceed to the north end of the pave walkway and turn around. Park trailers on the west side (opposite the lake) and relocate tow vehicle outside gated area.
- Parking attendants will be there to assist.
VOLUNTEER EFFORTS:
This is an association event. We absolutely need members to assist
in running the regatta. See your team coaches or board members to get involved. A red volunteer check-in tent will be located next to the results board near the boat ramp.
PLEASE TAKE ALL TRASH TO THE DUMPSTER.
Help us keep this park looking great. There will be plenty of trash bins along the walkway; please use them. We expect each organization to be responsible for keeping their trailer and tent sites clean. Please bag your team's trash and place bagged trash next to existing trash bins for easy daily pickup.
PRACTICE:
The course will be open for practice ONLY if course marshal volunteers are available. (SEE Volunteer Efforts above) Clockwise race-day traffic pattern will be in effect with lane 6 closed.
- Friday - Launch docks open at noon. Launch docks will close at 5:30 pm and all boats must be off the water no later than 6 pm.
- Saturday - Schedule permitting, launch docks open after last race finishes. Launch docks will close one (1) hour later and all boats must be off the water half hour after docks close.
- Sunday - No practice.
TENTS:
All teams will have water front space between the park's gazebo/dock area and the boat ramp. Tent space is available on a first come, first serve basis. Signs will mark the northern most end of the tent area. Teams will have full access to all their grass space between the paved walkway and the shoreline. PLEASE set up tents close to each other and keep the paved walkway clear. Small 10x10 tents may be set up under the trees behind the boat trailers for athlete race prep/recovery.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
All teams that will be cooking must have a fire extinguisher in the cooking area.