Crews, Code, and the Rise of Regatta Central
Before RegattaCentral became the go-to platform for regatta registration, it was just an idea sparked by an Ohio State alum and rowing coach who saw a better way. We talk with founder and president Steve Lopez about his lightbulb moment in 1999 that brought rowing and early internet technology together, and how his idea quietly reshaped regatta registration, data, and analytics. From fax machines, FedEx envelopes, and modems, to mobile-first design and data-driven insights, we trace the evolution of RegattaCentral from scrappy minimal viable product to an essential tool used by the global rowing community.
GUEST:
Steve Lopez | Founder and President, RegattaCentral
FB /IG / X: @regattacentral
This episode was made possible in part by RowSource and our Supporters.
QUICK LOOK
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - Rachel and Tara reflect on using computers at the turn of the century
04:54 - Welcome and Steve’s rowing week on a scale of 1-10: 10 (business) / 0 (no rowing)
05:30 - The Huddle
07:18 - The Hot Seat
08:48 - Steve’s rowing origin story began as a freshman at Ohio State University looking for something to be a part of
11:24 - Volunteer coaching the club novice program at Ohio State started with sports physiology and sports psychology books, USRowing certs, and coaching mentors
14:12 - RegattaCentral was a planned leap of faith in 1999’s nascent Internet landscape
22:05 - Row2k’s 1997 launch, Active.com, Y2K, 9/11
25:19 - “I have and had a vision where to take the business.” Deep in the trenches of building the business, 27-year-old lines of code, and considering the “human factor” in pushing out updates
32:02 - Integrating AI to analyze data and see trends
33:14 - The big question everyone asks: “Where are the results?!" - When it comes to results, RegattaCentral partners with timing providers
35:43 - Tara’s “thank you” to RegattaCentral
37:20 - Nearly 30 years on, RegattaCentral remains aligned with Steve’s original vision, and works around unforeseen tech, cybersecurity, and compliance
39:00 - At the heart of RegattaCentral is the team
40:14 - Steady State Network news and notes
Episode Mentions
🎧 = Listen to a Steady State Podcast episode
BUSINESSES
active.com
Amazon
AOL
Facebook
PayPal
Row2k 🎧
BUSINESS LEADERS
Ed Hewitt 🎧
CLUBS & TEAMS
Capital Rowing Club
Greater Columbus Rowing Association
Seize the Oar Foundation
COACHES
Jim “Jimbo” Brown
Brian Winkler
POLICIES
SafeSport
REGATTAS
Head of the Charles 🎧
San Diego Crew Classic 🎧
Speakmon Memorial Regatta
TIMING PROVIDERS
CrewTimer
HereNow
RegattaMaster
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
Denison University
Ohio State University
Wittenberg University
USROWING
Coaching certifications
Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is Open Mind by Soundroll.
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