One of the final races of the fall season has arrived: the San Diego Fall Classic. As the last major opportunity for crews to showcase their 2025 form, athletes will be fired up to test themselves against top competition. With the bonus of California’s mild November weather, crews will be eager not only to race fast but also to enjoy the unique atmosphere of Mission Bay. Expect fierce competition and plenty of excitement as the fall season draws to a close.
Men’s U19 Single
Brody Jennings of Brophy College Prep enters Mission Bay as the reigning champion. In addition to his victory here last year, Jennings placed an impressive 25th at the Head of the Charles this fall. Nicholas Sorley of Lake Casitas, last year’s runner-up, will be eager to challenge Jennings for the top spot. However, I believe Marina Aquatic Center’s sculler could be the spoiler. Despite finishing third last year, he has had an outstanding 2025 season, highlighted by a victory in the single at Southwest Regionals. I expect the MAC sculler to continue his dominant 2025 campaign, with Brophy’s Jennings and Sorley of Lake Casitas battling it out for second.
Men’s U19 Double
Long Beach will be a crew to watch. Though they didn’t race here last year, a strong fifth at Southwest Regionals and second at the Head of the American make them early favourites. California Yacht Club’s double, dominant winners by 17 seconds last year, will be confident returning to Mission Bay. Waterford, second and third last year, will aim to turn silver into gold, while Channel Islands, fifth here and fourth at the Head of the American, remain in contention. Expect Long Beach, CYC, and Waterford to battle for medals, but CYC’s dominance may hold.
Men’s U19 Quad
Utah won this event by a commanding 36 seconds last year. Despite a strong fall, their spring season was disappointing, capped by a 10th-place finish at Southwest Regionals. Waterford, last year’s runner-up, beat Utah at Regionals and carries clear momentum into next weekend. Other contenders include California Yacht Club, tenth here last year but winners of this year’s Head of the American, and Long Beach, the highest USRowing Youth National Championships finisher among entries, with a 26th-place showing. Utah and Waterford appear to be the clear favourites, but Waterford’s momentum may be enough to dethrone the 2024 champions.
Men’s U19 Pair
San Diego Rowing Club dominated this event last year, winning by nearly a minute and a half. Racing on their home course will likely give them an added advantage, particularly in pairs. Newport Sea Base is another strong contender, consistently competitive and highlighted by a top-ten finish in the first varsity eight at the USRowing Youth National Championships last year. Utah did not enter a pair here last year but remains a formidable force in small boats. I believe San Diego’s home-course advantage and past success will propel them to victory next weekend.
Men’s U19 Coxed Four
Lake Casitas won this event last year by 32 seconds and will enter San Diego with confidence. Newport Sea Base, though absent here last year, won Southwest Regionals in the coxed four and captured a national championship in 2024. San Diego, fifth last year, finished the 2024–2025 season with two silver medals at Southwest Regionals and USRowing Youth National Championships. With their Southwest and national championship experience, Newport Sea Base appears poised to take the win. San Diego’s consistency and home-course advantage should earn them second place, and 2024 champions Lake Casitas are likely to finish third.
Men’s U19 Eight
Newport Sea Base is the clear favourite in the eight. They finished tenth at USRowing Youth National Championships last year and will be eager to rebound from a disappointing 30th at the Head of the Charles. Rose City, last year’s event winner, is another strong contender. San Diego, with a home-course advantage, has had mixed results in eights — fifth at Regionals but second in this event last year. While San Diego could place well, the consistent strength of Newport Sea Base and Rose City should secure first and second, respectively.
Men’s U16 Coxed Four
Lake Casitas finished second in this event last year, two minutes ahead of third-place Cathedral Catholic. With the 2024 champions, MAC not racing, perennial powerhouse Newport Sea Base enters as a top contender. Known for their strength and depth, NSB looks poised to take the win, with Lake Casitas and Cathedral Catholic likely to round out the podium once again.
Men’s Junior Novice Coxed Four
2024 champions Utah Crew were incredibly dominant last year, winning this event by 49 seconds. San Diego, last year’s runner-up, brings strong depth, consistency, and coaching — always key factors in novice racing. Newport Sea Base is another reliable program that should not be counted out. I believe Utah will go back-to-back, with the experience and steadiness of San Diego earning them second.
Men’s U16 Eight
2024 champions Long Beach look poised to defend their title after winning by over a minute last year. As in other events with younger, less experienced athletes, Newport Sea Base and San Diego remain strong contenders thanks to their depth and consistent development. I believe Long Beach will take the crown again, with NSB and San Diego rounding out the podium.
Men’s Junior Novice Eight
Waterford won this event last year and looks to continue their dominance in Mission Bay. Perennial powerhouse Newport Sea Base has two eights entered, and both are expected to be strong contenders. Rose City, Long Beach, and Everett complete the field. Novice events are notoriously difficult to predict, but with bothNewport Sea Base and Waterford’s depth and consistency, they are the clear favourites.
Men’s U17 Eight
Similar to the novice eight, Waterford won this event by a commanding margin last year. Marina Aquatic Center and Long Beach are the other entries, both consistently strong programs. I believe Waterford will continue their dominant run.
