Cal Men’s Rowing Dominates at Redwood Shores Invitational

Bears Sweep Competitive Two-Day Event

REDWOOD CITY, CA – The California men’s rowing team showcased their strength this past weekend, completing a stellar series of races at the Redwood Shores Invitational. The Bears triumphed in all their Sunday events, remaining unbeaten throughout the competition held on their home waters, highlighting their impressive preparation for the upcoming season.

Impressive Race Performances

Over the course of the tournament, the Bears accumulated a remarkable total of 11 race victories, defeating competitors by significant margins on the challenging 2,000-meter course. The morning session on Sunday was particularly fruitful, with the first through third varsity eights each securing decisive wins against Santa Clara, and the fourth varsity eight besting Oregon State’s third varsity crew.

• First Varsity Eight: Cal led the morning with an outstanding time of 5:41.1, outperforming Santa Clara’s first eight, which finished at 6:04.2. This impressive performance marked the fastest time recorded in all Sunday races.
• Second Varsity Eight: The Bears continued their dominance with a finish of 5:44.1, comfortably ahead of SCU’s second varsity eight at 6:20.3.
• Third Varsity Eight: Cal added another victory with a time of 5:48.2, defeating SCU’s third eight, which clocked in at 6:31.9.
• Fourth Varsity Eight: Rounding out the successful morning, Cal’s 4V8+ completed the race in 5:51.1, defeating Oregon State’s crew, which finished at 6:31.9.

Strategic Lineup Changes

Head coach Scott Frandsen utilized the weekend as an opportunity to experiment with different lineup configurations. This strategic approach allowed the coaching staff to assess the capabilities of various combinations of rowers as they prepare for the more demanding part of their season.

Frandsen expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “I’m really happy with how the weekend of racing went for the squad as a whole. I’m impressed with the depth of the team and grateful for the opportunity to race different lineups. This will provide valuable insights as we gear up for the IRA National Championships in the spring.”

Upcoming Events

Cal’s rowing program will host its annual Alumni Day at the T. Gary Rogers Rowing Center on March 14. Following that, they will compete in the San Diego Crew Classic from March 27-29, a three-day event set to showcase their continued development and arena in competitive rowing.

Results Summary

Sunday, March 8, 2026

• Varsity Eight

  • 1. Cal – 5:41.1
  • 2. Santa Clara – 6:04.2

• Second Varsity Eight

  • 1. Cal – 5:44.1
  • 2. Santa Clara – 6:20.3

• Third Varsity Eight

  • 1. Cal – 5:48.2
  • 2. Santa Clara – 6:31.9

• Fourth Varsity Eight

  • 1. Cal – 5:51.1
  • 2. Oregon State – 6:31.9

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For more information on collegiate rowing and upcoming events, visit the NCAA Rowing page.