The 37th annual San Diego Crew Classic (SDCC) rows into Mission Bay March 27 and 28, and organizers say the two-day event offers as much appeal to locals as it does to the top rowers in the country. On water, the SDCC holds three categories of competition. There’s the junior level for high school-age athletes; the collegiate level, which boasts local competitors from the University of San Diego, University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University, as well as national powerhouses such as Stanford, Boston University and others; and the masters level for rowers age 21 and older. Martha Shumaker, the regatta’s executive director, has been involved with the SDCC since its inception in 1973. Shumaker has witnessed SDCC grow from a dozen events in its first year to more than 90 in 2010. “The consistent thing throughout has been the quality of the competition, particularly at the collegiate level,” Shumaker said. “It was envisioned as an event for the top collegiate programs in the country to come and meet each other for the first time in the early spring season.” Crew offers a fall and spring season while the SDCC serves as a jumpstart to the year. “This is really among the first regattas of the season,” Shumaker said. “There may be some small, two-team meets, where two colleges will get together and race each other, but there is nothing like this.” On land, Shumaker said the SDCC is a real spring festival for the community, as well as for those interested in the sport. Not only do patrons have the opportunity to sample local beers at the beer garden, but they can also bring in their own picnics or sample the various concession stands. Shumaker believes the atmosphere is unparalleled. “It’s the opportunity to enjoy a sport practiced at the highest level at a well-run event with lots of amenities for the public to enjoy,” Shumaker said. “You can stand in the water and watch the boats racing 10 feet away. We are going to have microphones on a couple of the coxswain … which is very special and very unusual. It’s an introduction to the sport for those who have never seen it; to sit on the shore, to mingle with the athletes, to enjoy a day at the bay.” The main gate opens at 6 a.m. both days. Tickets are $7 for adults. Children under 13 and active military personnel with identification are admitted free. For more information, visit www.crewclassic.org.