Categorized as a club sport under the University's Recreational Sports Department, UGA Rowing is a self-directed endeavor. Now a 501(c)6 non-profit organization, the team operates with an annual budget of approximately $150,000, receiving very limited funds from the University. The team must accomplish a tremendous amount of fundraising in order to supplement the difference. In order to meet this need, the idea of hosting SERCS was born.

The Southeastern Regional Collegiate Sprints Regatta was first held March 11, 2000 and was hosted by UGA Crew coaches, officers and team members. The race was originally held at the 1996 Olympic training site in Elberton, Ga. within Richard B. Russell State Park. An immaculate course design was implemented for several years following its original use by the Olympic teams, but unfortunately was left to deteriorate over time. Four members of UGA Rowing attempted to reuse what was left of the original course while making the modifications necessary to lie out a very straightforward 2000-meter course for spring racing. While offering a great venue for racing, UGA Rowing elected to move its home regatta from Elberton in the spring of 2004. With tremendous guidance and support from Aiken County Parks and Recreation and Brian Sanders, the regatta was successfully held in Aiken, SC on Langley Pond for the next four years. The SERCS Regatta is moving to Gainesville, GA to the Olympic Rowing Venue on Lake Lanier for the 2009 race and is now pleased to call Lake Lanier its home. This venue is not only closer to Athens, but will allow for more volunteer and vendor support, as well as the ability to bring many more teams to our regatta.

SERCS is held as a fundraising endeavor for the UGA men's and women's rowing teams, as well as an opportunity to bring great competition together for a remarkable day of racing. Every spring since 2000, teams fill the water with racing shells from places near and far. Teams have included Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Clemson University, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Savannah College of Art and Design, University of Alabama, Auburn University, Emory University, Bucknell University, Skidmore College, Manhattan College, SUNY-StonyBrook and many others.