BOATHOUSE
UCLA Marina Aquatic Center
14001 Fiji Way
Marina del Rey, CA 90292
Parking
There are limited spots right in front of the boathouse but priority is given to the facility staff and coaches; it is not recommended to use.
For free day-use parking, please park and walk from Dock 52 13552 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. This will be about a 0.75 mile walk.
Additionally, there is a Public Parking Lot (13745 Fiji Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292) significantly closer to the boathouse but with a fee; UCLA Marina Aquatic Center does not offer validation.
2km Race Course
Just adjacent to the boathouse is Ballona Creek which makes for one of the most underrated and unique race courses in the country. A bike path runs parallel to the entire course just feet away from the oarsmen, the sea wall and side barriers make for calm waters, its width allows for up to 4 shells across on an ideal tide, and its location makes it a popular spot for spectators.
The blue-shaded region towards the top-left is where the Bruin’s old boathouse existed. The similarly shaded region on the lower-right is the current home of the UCLA rowing team. The yellow-shaded strip highlights the first 1500m (from left to right) of the course.
First hand look of the race course in action!
History
1933-1940
After the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles, UCLA became the first university in southern California to create a rowing team. For these first few years, the crew rowed out of the Long Beach Marine Olympic Stadium.
This is what the future home of the Bruins looked like just a couple of years before the boathouse was built.
1940-1963
In February of 1940, the Bruin crew loaded trailers and trucks and moved to their new home for the next 23 years.
The boathouse was placed on the south-side (right of the above photo) of the creek near Lincoln Blvd (the road crossing over the river towards the back of the photo).
By 1961, construction finally began on Marina del Rey which was to be built just north and adjacent to the creek. The new development inspired UCLA to build a new ambitious boathouse just down the creek to take advantage of the two bodies of water.
Rare aerial shot of Marina del Rey allegedly from 1964; one year after the Bruins moved to their new boathouse but one year before the official grand opening of the marina.
Another angle of the marina but from 1938. The sea wall was the final touch added to the marina and the creek to ensure smooth waters for all vessels.
1963-now
The team’s current boathouse is managed by UCLA under the Marine Aquatic Center. It is now the home for both the men’s and women’s UCLA rowing programs, and to the MAC junior team.
