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Coordinates: 42°21′45″N 71°7′1″W / 42.36250°N 71.11694°W / 42.36250; -71.11694
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{{Short description|Rowing race on the Charles River, Boston/Cambridge}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox Athleticrace
{{Infobox athletics race
| bgcolour = blue
| bgcolour = blue
| colour = #FFF
| colour = #FFF
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| caption =
| caption =
| date = Penultimate Weekend of October
| date = Penultimate Weekend of October
| location = [[Boston, MA]]
| location = [[Boston]], Massachusetts, U.S.
| type = [[Head Race]]
| type = [[Head race]]
| distance = 3 miles
| distance = 3 miles
| sponsor = [[BNY Mellon]]
| sponsor = [[BNY Mellon]]
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| publisher = Regatta Central
| publisher = Regatta Central
| url = https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=4977
| url = https://www.regattacentral.com/regatta/?job_id=4977
| accessdate = 21 October 2017}}</ref>
| access-date = October 21, 2017}}</ref>
}}
}}
[[File:Head of charles eb1.JPG|thumb|250px|The [[Middlebury College]] rowing team in the 2007 Regatta.]]
[[File:Head of charles eb1.JPG|thumb|250px|The [[Middlebury College]] rowing team in the 2007 Regatta.]]
[[Image:HeadoftheCharles.JPG|thumb|Spectators lining the bank of the Charles River in 2003]]
[[Image:HeadoftheCharles.JPG|thumb|Spectators lining the bank of the Charles River in 2003]]
[[File:2011-HC041-496 copy.jpg|thumb|Presentation Brothers College, Irish crew, competing in Alumni 8 in 2011.]]
[[Image:2002-10-20 - Head Of The Charles crowds.jpg|thumb|2002]]
[[Image:Headofthecharles.jpg|thumb|[[QUBBC|Queen's University Belfast]], a crew from Northern Ireland, racing in the Head of the Charles in 2003]]
[[Image:Headofthecharles.jpg|thumb|[[QUBBC|Queen's University Belfast]], a crew from Northern Ireland, racing in the Head of the Charles in 2003]]
[[Image:KSG 1996 women.png|thumb|[[John F. Kennedy School of Government|Kennedy School]] women's team outside the [[Weld Boathouse]] preparing to row the Head of the Charles in 1996, though that year the race was cancelled due to bad weather.
[[Image:KSG 1996 women.png|thumb|[[John F. Kennedy School of Government|Kennedy School]] women's team outside the [[Weld Boathouse]] preparing to row the Head of the Charles in 1996, though that year the race was cancelled due to bad weather.
]]
]]
The '''Head Of The Charles Regatta''', also known as '''HOCR''', is a [[rowing (sport)|rowing]] [[head race]] held on the penultimate complete weekend of October (i.e., on the Saturday that falls between the 17th and the 23rd of the month, and on the Sunday immediately afterwards) each year on the [[Charles River]], which separates [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] and [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], [[Massachusetts]]. It is the largest 2-day [[regatta]] in the world, with 11,000 athletes rowing in over 1,900 boats in 61 events. According to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, the two-day event brings 225,000 people to the [[Greater Boston]] area and $72 million to the local economy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stendahl |first=Max |date=2018-10-11 |title=Head of the Charles could give record boost to Boston economy |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2018/10/11/head-of-the-charles-expected-to-give-record-boost.html |work=[[Boston Business Journal]] |location= |access-date=2018-10-12 }}</ref>
The '''Head of the Charles Regatta''', also known as '''HOCR''', is a [[rowing (sport)|rowing]] [[head race]] held on the penultimate complete weekend of October (i.e., on the Friday that falls between the 16th and the 22nd of the month, and on the Saturday and Sunday immediately afterwards) each year on the [[Charles River]], which separates [[Boston]] and [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge]], [[Massachusetts]] United States. It is the largest 3-day [[regatta]] in the world, with 11,000 athletes rowing in over 2,500 boats in 73 events. According to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, the three-day event brings 225,000 people to the [[Greater Boston]] area and $72 million to the local economy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Stendahl |first=Max |date=October 11, 2018 |title=Head of the Charles could give record boost to Boston economy |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2018/10/11/head-of-the-charles-expected-to-give-record-boost.html |work=[[Boston Business Journal]] |access-date=October 12, 2018 }}</ref>


The last races of the Regatta are generally the most prestigious: Championship 4s, and Championship 8s (both men and women). Championship sculling events (1x/single and 2x/double) race on Saturday afternoon. The Championship events usually include U.S. National Team athletes, as well as national team athletes from other top rowing nations.
The last races of the Regatta are generally the most prestigious: Championship 4s, and Championship 8s (both men and women). Championship sculling events (1x/single and 2x/double) race on Saturday afternoon. The Championship events usually include U.S. National Team athletes, as well as national team athletes from other top rowing nations.
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The competitive field includes individual and team competitors from colleges, high schools, and clubs from nearly all American states and various countries. The 2006 field included rowers from [[China]], [[South Africa]], [[Croatia]], [[Ireland]], and the [[Netherlands]]. The age of athletes spans from 14 to 85 years old with experience levels from novice to [[Olympic Games|Olympic]]. In 2007, approximately 10% of the field was international.
The competitive field includes individual and team competitors from colleges, high schools, and clubs from nearly all American states and various countries. The 2006 field included rowers from [[China]], [[South Africa]], [[Croatia]], [[Ireland]], and the [[Netherlands]]. The age of athletes spans from 14 to 85 years old with experience levels from novice to [[Olympic Games|Olympic]]. In 2007, approximately 10% of the field was international.


{{quote|Regattas such as the Head of the Charles in Boston and the [[Head of the Schuylkill]] in Philadelphia are to the rowing world what the [[New York Marathon]] and the [[Boston Marathon]] are to running.|Susan Saint Sing|The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew<ref>{{Cite book
{{quote|Regattas such as the Head of the Charles in Boston and the [[Head of the Schuylkill Regatta|Head of the Schuylkill]] in Philadelphia are to the rowing world what the [[New York City Marathon]] and the [[Boston Marathon]] are to running.|Susan Saint Sing|The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew<ref>{{Cite book
| title = The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew
| title = The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew
| page = [https://archive.org/details/eightseasonintra00sain/page/24 24]
| page = 24
| publisher = St. Martin's Press
| publisher = St. Martin's Press
| last1 = Saint Sing
| last1 = Saint Sing
| first1 = Susan
| first1 = Susan
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=py7QAfg-elkC&pg=PA24
| url = https://archive.org/details/eightseasonintra00sain
| date = 2010
| url-access = registration
| date = 2010
| location = New York, N.Y.
| location = New York, N.Y.
| isbn = 9780312539238
| isbn = 9780312539238
| accessdate = 10 November 2013}}</ref>}}
| access-date = 10 November 2013}}</ref>}}


==Course==
==Course==
The course is 3 miles (4,800 meters) long and stretches from the start at [[Boston University]]'s DeWolfe Boathouse near the Charles River Basin to the finish just after the Eliot Bridge and before [[Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts)|Northeastern University]]'s Henderson Boathouse. The course is renowned for being challenging for crews to navigate without incident or penalty. The course contains 6 bridges, which appear in this order from the start:
The course is three miles (4,800 meters) long and stretches from the start at [[Boston University]]'s DeWolfe Boathouse near the Charles River Basin to the finish just after the Eliot Bridge and before [[Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts)|Northeastern University]]'s Henderson Boathouse. The course is renowned for being challenging for crews to navigate without incident or penalty. The course contains six bridges, which appear in this order from the start:


<gallery>
<gallery>
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==History==
==History==


=== The First Year ===
=== First year ===
The Head of the Charles Regatta was first organized in 1965 by [[Cambridge Boat Club]] members D'Arcy MacMahon, Howard McIntyre, and Jack Vincent. The members of the boat club thought that a fall regatta would be an entertaining way to break up the monotony of the training season for colleges and boat clubs in the area. D'Arcy MacMahon had been the captain of the [[University of Pennsylvania]]'s lightweight varsity three seasons earlier. They initially had little hope the regatta would be a success, it was the wrong time of year and it wasn't expected to draw any spectators.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Powers|first1=John|title=Head of the Charles Regatta, First 50|date=2015|publisher=HOCR|isbn=9780692458570|edition=3}}</ref>
The Head of the Charles Regatta was first organized in 1965 by [[Cambridge Boat Club]] members D'Arcy MacMahon, Howard McIntyre, and Jack Vincent. The members of the boat club thought that a fall regatta would be an entertaining way to break up the monotony of the training season for colleges and boat clubs in the area. D'Arcy MacMahon had been the captain of the [[University of Pennsylvania]]'s lightweight varsity three seasons earlier. They initially had little hope the regatta would be a success, it was the wrong time of year and it wasn't expected to draw any spectators.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Powers|first1=John|title=Head of the Charles Regatta, First 50|date=2015|publisher=HOCR|isbn=9780692458570|edition=3}}</ref>


[[Harvard University]] sculling instructor [[Ernest Arlett]] provided the idea for the head race. George Ernest Arlett came to the US because in England only "gentlemen" could race. Even when Arlett brought [[Northeastern University]]'s rowing team to [[Henley Royal Regatta]] and the team members were invited, the team entered by the front door and Mr. Arlett still had to enter by the rear or servants door. Class snobbery or pedigree was still in force.
[[Harvard University]] sculling instructor [[Ernest Arlett]] provided the idea for the head race. George Ernest Arlett came to the US because in England only "gentlemen" could race. Even when Arlett brought [[Northeastern University]]'s rowing team to [[Henley Royal Regatta]] and the team members were invited, the team entered by the front door and Mr. Arlett still had to enter by the rear or servants door. Class snobbery or pedigree was still in force.


Despite their reservations, the founders of the regatta were determined to see it become a success. In an interview with [[The New York Times|New York Times]], Jerry Olrich and MacMahon identified that this regatta was "destined to become a classic"<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Head of the Charles; First 50|last=Powers|first=John|publisher=HOCR|year=2015|isbn=9780692458570|location=|pages=}}</ref>
Despite their reservations, the founders of the regatta were determined to see it become a success. In an interview with [[The New York Times|New York Times]], Jerry Olrich and MacMahon identified that this regatta was "destined to become a classic"<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Head of the Charles; First 50|last=Powers|first=John|publisher=HOCR|year=2015|isbn=9780692458570}}</ref>


The Regatta expanded to a two-day event in 1997.
The Regatta expanded to a two-day event in 1997 and again to a three-day event in 2021.


In 1991, Frederick V. Schoch was appointed Executive Director of the Regatta, and he continues to oversee the event.<ref>A better source for the History of this regatta is in "Yankee Magazine", September/October issue 2013.</ref>
In 1991, Frederick V. Schoch was appointed Executive Director of the Regatta, and he continues to oversee the event.<ref>A better source for the History of this regatta is in "Yankee Magazine", September/October issue 2013.</ref>
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===Charity program===
===Charity program===
Since 1998, the Head of the Charles Regatta's Charity Program has generated over $1,000,000 for its official charities, which include Cambridge Community Foundation and Community Rowing, Inc. The Charity Program allows competitors to gain an automatic entry into the Regatta in exchange for raising $1250 per person, per entry. Under official rules, any single, double, four, or eight is eligible to enter.
Since 1998, the Head of the Charles Regatta's Charity Program has generated over $1,000,000 for its official charities, which include Cambridge Community Foundation and Community Rowing, Inc. The Charity Program allows competitors to gain an automatic entry into the Regatta in exchange for raising $1250 per person, per entry. Under official rules, any single, double, four, or eight is eligible to enter.

===Cancellations===
The race has been cancelled only twice: in 1996 due to storm bringing heavy rain and wind,<ref>[https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/29468539/head-charles-regatta-called-coronavirus Head of the Charles Regatta called off over coronavirus]</ref> and in 2020 due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. (An online version in the fall of 2020 replaced the in-person race.)<ref>[https://www.boston.com/sports/sports-news/2020/07/15/head-of-the-charles-canceled The 2020 Head of the Charles Regatta has been canceled]</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
First place medals are awarded to winning competitors in each event category of the race. The first place medals are struck bronze medallions that are 2.5 inches in diameter. They show a single sculler from above on the front, and are engraved with the year and event on the back. Only the first place medals are distributed at the Regatta on Saturday and Sunday evenings following the races. Medals for second and third place medallions are of the same design, but are 1.75 inches in diameter. The Regatta issues additional medals according to the number of entries in the race as well. For instance, in a race with 50 competitors, 5 medals are issued.
First place medals are awarded to winning competitors in each event category of the race. The first place medals are struck bronze medallions that are 2.5 inches in diameter. They show a single sculler from above on the front, and are engraved with the year and event on the back. Only the first place medals are distributed at the Regatta on Saturday and Sunday evenings following the races. Medals for second and third place medallions are of the same design, but are 1.75 inches in diameter. The Regatta issues additional subordinate medals according to the number of entries in the race as well.

1–9 Entries: up to 1st place awarded

10–19 Entries: up to 2nd place awarded

20–29 Entries: up to 3rd place awarded

30–39 Entries: up to 4th place awarded

40+ Entries: up to 5th place awarded<ref>{{Cite web |title=Awards |url=https://www.hocr.org/competitors/awards/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=Head Of The Charles® Regatta |language=en-US}}</ref>

Special winner medals (2.5 inches in diameter) engraved (a) COLLEGE-CHAMPIONSHIP, (b) LIGHTWEIGHT, (c) CLUB, or (d) UNDER-17 shall be awarded respectively to (a) the fastest crew made up of undergraduates representing accredited/chartered Colleges or Universities in each event-division of the Championship 2x, Championship 4+ and Championship 8+, (b) the fastest Lightweight crew in the Championship 2x, (c) the fastest crew unaffiliated with an academic institution in each event-division of the Club 4+ and Club 8+, (d) the fastest U17 crew in the Youth Single, Youth Double, Youth Coxed Quad, Youth Four, and Youth Eight, and (e) the fastest JV entry in the Men’s and Women’s Championship Eight.

⚫
Special medals are also issued to the most competitive Grand-Veteran scullers in the Senior-Veteran Singles Event; the fastest Veteran crews in the Senior-Master 2x, 4+, and 8+ events; the fastest Grand-Master crews in the Senior-Master 2x, 4+, and 8+ events.

Because of the 2020 cancellation caused by the global pandemic, the 2021 regatta awarded a special medal to the fastest Class of 2020 crew in the Alumni Four and Alumni Eight (crew must be at least 75% 2020 graduates, coxswain excluded).


Winners of special medals will not be awarded subordinate medals should they qualify. No special medal will be awarded if the first place medal winner also qualifies for a special medal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rules & Guidelines |url=https://hocr.org/competitors/rules-guidelines/ |access-date=July 6, 2022 |website=Head Of The Charles® Regatta |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
Special medals are issued to the most competitive Youth scullers; the most competitive Grand-Veteran scullers in the Senior-Veteran Singles Event; the fastest Veteran crews in the Senior-Master 2x, 4+, and 8+ events; the fastest Grand-Master crews in the Senior-Master 2x, 4+, and 8+ events; and the fastest collegiate crews in the Championship Fours and Eights events.


==Course records==
==Course records==
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|-
|-
| '''Club Singles'''
| '''Club Singles'''
| Luke Rein 18:00.179 (2017)
| Kieran Edwards 17:54.795 (2023)
| Madeline Kuntz 20:25.32 (2017)
| Mary Kaleta 20:07.040 (2022)
|-
|-
| '''Club Fours'''
| '''Club Fours'''
| [[Union Boat Club]] 16:05.311 (2013)
| Dartmouth University 16:01.965 (2023)
| Alabama 18:02.40 (2017)
| Calgary RC 17:47.415 (2021)
|-
|-
| '''Club Eights'''
| '''Club Eights'''
| [[Brown University]] 14:26.27 (2013)
| [[Brown University]] 14:13.412 (2023)
| [[Brown University]] 16:09.902 (2014)
| [[Brown University]] 16:09.902 (2014)
⚫
|-
|'''Youth Singles'''
|Simeon John 18:06.27 (2024)
|Anna Matthes 19:30.596 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Youth Doubles'''
| '''Youth Doubles'''
| Nicolas Salazar/ Jeffrey Schlyer 16:52.471 (2017)
| Nikhil Ramaraju/ Charles Boldt 16:40.350 (2022)
| Delaney Evans/ Caroline Sharis 17:47.577 (2017)
| Delaney Evans/ Caroline Sharis 17:47.577 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Youth Fours'''
| '''Youth Fours'''
| South Niagara Rowing Club 16:12.898 (2017)
| Sacramento State Aquatic Center 16:07.357 (2019)
| [[Community Rowing, Inc.]] 17:19.960 (2001)
| South Niagara RC 17:58.361 (2010)
⚫
|-
|'''Youth Coxed Quads'''
|New Canaan Crew (2017)
|Danske Studenters Roklub 18:09.808 (2019)
|-
|-
| '''Youth Eights'''
| '''Youth Eights'''
| [[St Paul's School, London]] 14:12.127 (2017)
| [[St Paul's School, London]] 14:12.127 (2017)
| Saugatuck Rowing Club, LLC 16:24.895 (2017)
| RowAmerica Rye 16:09.072 (2024)
|-
|-
| '''Master Singles'''
| '''Master Singles'''
| Andrew Hashway 18:13.613 (2017)
| Andrew Hashway 18:13.613 (2017)
| Cynthia Matthes 19:55.24 (1997)
| [[Genevra Stone|Gevvie Stone]] 19:10.913 (2022)
|-
|-
| '''Master Doubles'''
| '''Master Doubles'''
| M. Smith/ D. Gorriaran 17:13.68 (2003)
| N. Kelly, J. Watkins 16:55.843 (2022)
| [[Teresa Bell (rower)|T. Zarzeczny-Bell]]/ S. Remmler 19:00.316 (2007)
| [[Teresa Bell (rower)|T. Zarzeczny-Bell]]/ S. Remmler 18:49.721 (2008)
|-
|-
| '''Master Fours'''
| '''Master Fours'''
| Belfast Rowing Club 17:03.38 (1997)
| Ex Nemo 16:35.649 (2022)
| Portland Boat Club 18:54.35 (1995)
| Saugatuck Rowing Club 18:20.360 (2013)
|-
|-
| '''Master Eights'''
| '''Master Eights'''
| [[Molesey Boat Club]], England 15:14.86 (2012)
| Shannon Rowing Club 14:46.602 (2014)
| Long Beach RA 17:14.17 (2001)
| Capital 17:08.954 (2022)
|-
|-
| '''Grand Master Singles'''
| '''Grand Master Singles'''
| Lawrence Klecatsky 18:54.3 (1992)
| Greg Benning 18:15.165 (2014)
| Judy Geer 21:30.930 (2007)
| Saiya Remmler 20:35.912 (2013)
|-
⚫
|'''Grand Master Doubles'''
|R. Colven, M. Biery 18:12.378 (2023)
|Wilkie, Black 19:49.192 (2023)
|-
⚫
| '''Grand-Master Fours'''
⚫
| Sammamish Rowing Assoc. 18:04.515 (2017)
|Chinook 20:08.48 (2017)
|-
| '''Grand-Master Eights'''
| Upper Yarra 15:55.952 (2022)
|Lucky Charms 18:20.350 (2022)
|-
|-
| '''Senior Master Singles'''
| '''Senior Master Singles'''
| Gregory Benning 18:19.758 (2007)
| Thomas Graves 18:15.477 (2022)
| Margarita Jekabsons 20:18.04 (2003)
| Shannon Kaplan 19:42.638 (2022)
|-
|-
| '''Senior-Master Doubles'''
| '''Senior-Master Doubles'''
| R. Haberl/ R. Slocum 18:06.910 (2007)
| Smith, Gorriaran 17:16.197 (2013)
| J. Linse/ S. Kinne 19:53.749 (2007)
| Pearlstein, Gradek 19:02.956 (2023)
|-
|-
| '''Senior-Master Fours'''
| '''Senior-Master Fours'''
| Toronto Sculling Club 17:25.52 (2003)
| Wallingford 17:05.64 (2017)
| Watercat Rowing Club 19:48.392 (2007)
| Cambridge Boat Club 18:45.4 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Senior-Master Eights'''
| '''Senior-Master Eights'''
| Team Attager 15:43.490 (2007)
| Ex Nemo 15:12.030 (2022)
| 1980 Rowing Club 18:00.427 (2007)
| Chinook 17:22.9 (2017)
⚫
|-
⚫
| '''Grand-Master Fours'''
⚫
| Sammamish Rowing Assoc. 18:04.515 (2017)
⚫
|-
⚫
| '''Grand-Master Eights'''
| Melbourne University Boat Club 16:22.875 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Veteran Singles'''
| '''Veteran Singles'''
| C. Collins 19:24.329 (adjusted) (2001)
| Greg Benning 18:46.718 (2023)
| Margarite Zezza (60) 20:53.91 (2017)
| Brook Stevens 23:25.66 (adjusted) (2007)
|-
|-
| '''Senior Veteran Singles'''
| '''Senior Veteran Singles'''
| R. Kendall 20:31.75 (adjusted) (2001)
| R. Kendall 20:31.75 (adjusted) (2001)
| C. Kemper (72) 23:53.40 (2017)
| Catherine Widgery 23:34.029 (2023)
|-
|-
| '''Collegiate Fours'''
| '''Collegiate Fours'''
| University of North Carolina 16:04.425 (2017)
| University of North Carolina 16:04.425 (2017)
⚫
| Florida Institute of Technology 17:50.817 (2019)
| [[Marquette University]] 19:19.167 (2007)
|-
|-
| '''Collegiate Eights'''
| '''Collegiate Eights'''
| Drexel 14:20.496 (2022)
⚫
| [[Florida Institute of Technology]] 14:43.373 (2010)
|[[Queen's University, Canada]] 16:47.321 (2003)
|[[Bates College]] 16:01.182 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Lightweight Singles'''
| '''Lightweight Singles'''
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|-
|-
| '''Lightweight Fours'''
| '''Lightweight Fours'''
| New York Athletic Club 15:49.63 (2003)
| Yale University 15:42.932 (2017)
| [[Undine Barge Club]] 17:54.864 (2010)
| [[Undine Barge Club]] 17:54.864 (2010)
|-
|-
| '''Lightweight Eights'''
| '''Lightweight Eights'''
| [[Princeton University]] 13:49.679 (2017)
| [[Princeton University]] 13:49.679 (2017)
| [[University of Wisconsin]] 16:06.102 (2010)
| Stanford University 15:46.726 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Championship Singles'''
| '''Championship Singles'''
| John Biglow 17:29.8 (1982)
| Sorin Koszyk 16:57.782 (2023)
| Virginia Gilder 18:45.6 (1982)
| Kathleen Bertko 18:33.015 (2013)
|-
|-
| '''Championship Doubles'''
| '''Championship Doubles'''
| [[Martin Sinković]] and [[Valent Sinković]] 15:40.56 (2014)
| [[Martin Sinković]] and [[Valent Sinković]] 15:40.56 (2014)
| A. De Zwager/J. Rumball 17:51.46 (2003)
| E. Hogerwerf, I. Janssen 17:27.510 (2014)
|-
|-
| '''Championship Fours'''
| '''Championship Fours'''
| Princeton Training Center 15:34.4 (1997)
| USRowing Training Center 15:07.44 (2017)
| London Training Center 17:27.35 (2003)
| Brown University 17:08.207 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Championship Eights'''
| '''Championship Eights'''
|[[University of California, Berkeley|Univ. of California Berkeley]] 13:27.469 (2017)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hocr.org/the-regatta/records/|title=Records {{!}} Head Of The Charles® Regatta|work=Head Of The Charles® Regatta|access-date=2018-10-19|language=en-US}}</ref>
|USRowing 13:23.638 (2022)<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hocr.org/the-regatta/records/|title=Records {{!}} Head Of The Charles® Regatta|work=Head Of The Charles® Regatta|access-date=October 19, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref>
| USRowing 15:26.572 (2007)
| Sudbury 14:48.423 (2017)
|-
|'''Alumni Fours'''
|Delaware Alumni 16:08.787 (2022)
|Brown Univ. Alumni 19:55.687 (2021)
|-
|-
| '''Alumni Eights'''
| '''Alumni Eights'''
| Northeastern University Alumni 15:13.543 (2009)
| University of Washington Alumni 14:35.782 (2021)
| [[University of Michigan]] Alumni 15:56.65 (2014)
| Virginia Alumni 15:48.524 (2017)
|-
|-
| '''Directors' Challenge Quads'''
|'''Mixed LTA Four'''
|
| G-Man Systems (32) 14:56.193 (2010)
|
| Mygatt/Styver/Gay/Matia 17:16.370 (2006)
| Next Year 15:40.161 (2010)
|US Para National Team 18:10.142 (2016)
|-
|-
| '''Directors' Challenge Doubles'''
|'''Mixed Inclusion Four'''
|
| Parent/Child Division: M. Holmes, A. Holmes 16:55.07 (2017)
|
|Community Rowing, Inc. 19:37.897 (2016)
|-
|'''Mixed Inclusion Double'''
|
|
|M. Houser, M. Scott 19:11.999 (2021)
|-
|'''Trunk/Arms Double'''
|
|
|
| G. DeAngelis, K. Collins 17:10.20 (2008)
|I. French, H. Roman 22:52.218 (2017)
|}
|}


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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.hocr.org/ Head of the Charles Regatta]
* [https://www.hocr.org Head of the Charles Regatta]
* [http://row2k.com/hotc/ Row2k Head of the Charles coverage]
* [https://row2k.com/hotc Row2k Head of the Charles coverage]
* [http://nesports.tv/ Live Video Webcasts of the Head of the Charles Regatta on NESports.tv a division of Bullpen Media]
* HOCR and [[The Rowing Channel]]


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{{coord|42|21|45|N|71|7|1|W|type:event_scale:25000_region:US|display=title}}
{{Rowing (sport)}}
{{Rowing (sport)}}


{{authority control|state=expanded}}
⚫
[[Category:Charles River]]

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[[Category:Rowing competitions in the United States]]
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[[Category:Sports in Boston]]
[[Category:Annual events in Boston]]
[[Category:Annual events in Boston]]
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[[Category:Massachusetts culture]]
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[[Category:Rowing regattas]]
[[Category:Annual sporting events in the United States]]
[[Category:Annual sporting events in the United States]]
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[[Category:Charles River]]
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[[Category:Head races]]
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[[Category:Massachusetts culture]]
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[[Category:Rowing competitions in the United States]]
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[[Category:Sports competitions in Boston]]

Latest revision as of 01:41, 25 November 2024

Head of the Charles Regatta
DatePenultimate Weekend of October
LocationBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Event typeHead race
Distance3 miles
Primary sponsorBNY Mellon
Established1965
Official sitewww.hocr.org
Participants2,271 entries; 790 clubs [1]
The Middlebury College rowing team in the 2007 Regatta.
Spectators lining the bank of the Charles River in 2003
Presentation Brothers College, Irish crew, competing in Alumni 8 in 2011.
Queen's University Belfast, a crew from Northern Ireland, racing in the Head of the Charles in 2003
Kennedy School women's team outside the Weld Boathouse preparing to row the Head of the Charles in 1996, though that year the race was cancelled due to bad weather.

The Head of the Charles Regatta, also known as HOCR, is a rowing head race held on the penultimate complete weekend of October (i.e., on the Friday that falls between the 16th and the 22nd of the month, and on the Saturday and Sunday immediately afterwards) each year on the Charles River, which separates Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts United States. It is the largest 3-day regatta in the world, with 11,000 athletes rowing in over 2,500 boats in 73 events. According to the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, the three-day event brings 225,000 people to the Greater Boston area and $72 million to the local economy.[2]

The last races of the Regatta are generally the most prestigious: Championship 4s, and Championship 8s (both men and women). Championship sculling events (1x/single and 2x/double) race on Saturday afternoon. The Championship events usually include U.S. National Team athletes, as well as national team athletes from other top rowing nations.

The competitive field includes individual and team competitors from colleges, high schools, and clubs from nearly all American states and various countries. The 2006 field included rowers from China, South Africa, Croatia, Ireland, and the Netherlands. The age of athletes spans from 14 to 85 years old with experience levels from novice to Olympic. In 2007, approximately 10% of the field was international.

Regattas such as the Head of the Charles in Boston and the Head of the Schuylkill in Philadelphia are to the rowing world what the New York City Marathon and the Boston Marathon are to running.

— Susan Saint Sing, The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew[3]

Course

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The course is three miles (4,800 meters) long and stretches from the start at Boston University's DeWolfe Boathouse near the Charles River Basin to the finish just after the Eliot Bridge and before Northeastern University's Henderson Boathouse. The course is renowned for being challenging for crews to navigate without incident or penalty. The course contains six bridges, which appear in this order from the start:

The Weeks and Eliot Bridges fall at sharp turns in the course, and collisions occur here more than any other part of the course.

Racing regulations

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Crews start the race at 15-second intervals. The starting order is based on the crew's finishing time in the previous year, with the top finisher from the prior year leaving first, the second finisher leaving second, and so on. Crews that did not compete in the prior year are seeded after all prior year entrants in a random order, although race organizers have some discretion in the seeding process. Having presumably faster crews start ahead of presumably slower crews reduces the amount of passing boats must make during the race, reducing the potential for boating accidents. However, passing almost always occurs, and penalties are imposed on crews that do not follow passing regulations, such as failing to yield to a boat that closes to within one boat length of open water.[4]

History

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First year

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The Head of the Charles Regatta was first organized in 1965 by Cambridge Boat Club members D'Arcy MacMahon, Howard McIntyre, and Jack Vincent. The members of the boat club thought that a fall regatta would be an entertaining way to break up the monotony of the training season for colleges and boat clubs in the area. D'Arcy MacMahon had been the captain of the University of Pennsylvania's lightweight varsity three seasons earlier. They initially had little hope the regatta would be a success, it was the wrong time of year and it wasn't expected to draw any spectators.[5]

Harvard University sculling instructor Ernest Arlett provided the idea for the head race. George Ernest Arlett came to the US because in England only "gentlemen" could race. Even when Arlett brought Northeastern University's rowing team to Henley Royal Regatta and the team members were invited, the team entered by the front door and Mr. Arlett still had to enter by the rear or servants door. Class snobbery or pedigree was still in force.

Despite their reservations, the founders of the regatta were determined to see it become a success. In an interview with New York Times, Jerry Olrich and MacMahon identified that this regatta was "destined to become a classic"[6]

The Regatta expanded to a two-day event in 1997 and again to a three-day event in 2021.

In 1991, Frederick V. Schoch was appointed Executive Director of the Regatta, and he continues to oversee the event.[7]

Charity program

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Since 1998, the Head of the Charles Regatta's Charity Program has generated over $1,000,000 for its official charities, which include Cambridge Community Foundation and Community Rowing, Inc. The Charity Program allows competitors to gain an automatic entry into the Regatta in exchange for raising $1250 per person, per entry. Under official rules, any single, double, four, or eight is eligible to enter.

Cancellations

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The race has been cancelled only twice: in 1996 due to storm bringing heavy rain and wind,[8] and in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (An online version in the fall of 2020 replaced the in-person race.)[9]

Awards

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First place medals are awarded to winning competitors in each event category of the race. The first place medals are struck bronze medallions that are 2.5 inches in diameter. They show a single sculler from above on the front, and are engraved with the year and event on the back. Only the first place medals are distributed at the Regatta on Saturday and Sunday evenings following the races. Medals for second and third place medallions are of the same design, but are 1.75 inches in diameter. The Regatta issues additional subordinate medals according to the number of entries in the race as well.

1–9 Entries: up to 1st place awarded

10–19 Entries: up to 2nd place awarded

20–29 Entries: up to 3rd place awarded

30–39 Entries: up to 4th place awarded

40+ Entries: up to 5th place awarded[10]

Special winner medals (2.5 inches in diameter) engraved (a) COLLEGE-CHAMPIONSHIP, (b) LIGHTWEIGHT, (c) CLUB, or (d) UNDER-17 shall be awarded respectively to (a) the fastest crew made up of undergraduates representing accredited/chartered Colleges or Universities in each event-division of the Championship 2x, Championship 4+ and Championship 8+, (b) the fastest Lightweight crew in the Championship 2x, (c) the fastest crew unaffiliated with an academic institution in each event-division of the Club 4+ and Club 8+, (d) the fastest U17 crew in the Youth Single, Youth Double, Youth Coxed Quad, Youth Four, and Youth Eight, and (e) the fastest JV entry in the Men’s and Women’s Championship Eight.

Special medals are also issued to the most competitive Grand-Veteran scullers in the Senior-Veteran Singles Event; the fastest Veteran crews in the Senior-Master 2x, 4+, and 8+ events; the fastest Grand-Master crews in the Senior-Master 2x, 4+, and 8+ events.

Because of the 2020 cancellation caused by the global pandemic, the 2021 regatta awarded a special medal to the fastest Class of 2020 crew in the Alumni Four and Alumni Eight (crew must be at least 75% 2020 graduates, coxswain excluded).

Winners of special medals will not be awarded subordinate medals should they qualify. No special medal will be awarded if the first place medal winner also qualifies for a special medal.[11]

Course records

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Event Men Women Mixed event
Club Singles Kieran Edwards 17:54.795 (2023) Mary Kaleta 20:07.040 (2022)
Club Fours Dartmouth University 16:01.965 (2023) Calgary RC 17:47.415 (2021)
Club Eights Brown University 14:13.412 (2023) Brown University 16:09.902 (2014)
Youth Singles Simeon John 18:06.27 (2024) Anna Matthes 19:30.596 (2017)
Youth Doubles Nikhil Ramaraju/ Charles Boldt 16:40.350 (2022) Delaney Evans/ Caroline Sharis 17:47.577 (2017)
Youth Fours Sacramento State Aquatic Center 16:07.357 (2019) South Niagara RC 17:58.361 (2010)
Youth Coxed Quads New Canaan Crew (2017) Danske Studenters Roklub 18:09.808 (2019)
Youth Eights St Paul's School, London 14:12.127 (2017) RowAmerica Rye 16:09.072 (2024)
Master Singles Andrew Hashway 18:13.613 (2017) Gevvie Stone 19:10.913 (2022)
Master Doubles N. Kelly, J. Watkins 16:55.843 (2022) T. Zarzeczny-Bell/ S. Remmler 18:49.721 (2008)
Master Fours Ex Nemo 16:35.649 (2022) Saugatuck Rowing Club 18:20.360 (2013)
Master Eights Shannon Rowing Club 14:46.602 (2014) Capital 17:08.954 (2022)
Grand Master Singles Greg Benning 18:15.165 (2014) Saiya Remmler 20:35.912 (2013)
Grand Master Doubles R. Colven, M. Biery 18:12.378 (2023) Wilkie, Black 19:49.192 (2023)
Grand-Master Fours Sammamish Rowing Assoc. 18:04.515 (2017) Chinook 20:08.48 (2017)
Grand-Master Eights Upper Yarra 15:55.952 (2022) Lucky Charms 18:20.350 (2022)
Senior Master Singles Thomas Graves 18:15.477 (2022) Shannon Kaplan 19:42.638 (2022)
Senior-Master Doubles Smith, Gorriaran 17:16.197 (2013) Pearlstein, Gradek 19:02.956 (2023)
Senior-Master Fours Wallingford 17:05.64 (2017) Cambridge Boat Club 18:45.4 (2017)
Senior-Master Eights Ex Nemo 15:12.030 (2022) Chinook 17:22.9 (2017)
Veteran Singles Greg Benning 18:46.718 (2023) Margarite Zezza (60) 20:53.91 (2017)
Senior Veteran Singles R. Kendall 20:31.75 (adjusted) (2001) Catherine Widgery 23:34.029 (2023)
Collegiate Fours University of North Carolina 16:04.425 (2017) Florida Institute of Technology 17:50.817 (2019)
Collegiate Eights Drexel 14:20.496 (2022) Bates College 16:01.182 (2017)
Lightweight Singles Paul Fuchs 17:24.8 (1984) Teresa Zarzeczny 19:00.58 (1992)
Lightweight Fours Yale University 15:42.932 (2017) Undine Barge Club 17:54.864 (2010)
Lightweight Eights Princeton University 13:49.679 (2017) Stanford University 15:46.726 (2017)
Championship Singles Sorin Koszyk 16:57.782 (2023) Kathleen Bertko 18:33.015 (2013)
Championship Doubles Martin Sinković and Valent Sinković 15:40.56 (2014) E. Hogerwerf, I. Janssen 17:27.510 (2014)
Championship Fours USRowing Training Center 15:07.44 (2017) Brown University 17:08.207 (2017)
Championship Eights USRowing 13:23.638 (2022)[12] Sudbury 14:48.423 (2017)
Alumni Fours Delaware Alumni 16:08.787 (2022) Brown Univ. Alumni 19:55.687 (2021)
Alumni Eights University of Washington Alumni 14:35.782 (2021) Virginia Alumni 15:48.524 (2017)
Mixed LTA Four US Para National Team 18:10.142 (2016)
Mixed Inclusion Four Community Rowing, Inc. 19:37.897 (2016)
Mixed Inclusion Double M. Houser, M. Scott 19:11.999 (2021)
Trunk/Arms Double I. French, H. Roman 22:52.218 (2017)

Notes

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  1. ^ "53rd Head of the Charles". Regatta Central. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
  2. ^ Stendahl, Max (October 11, 2018). "Head of the Charles could give record boost to Boston economy". Boston Business Journal. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
  3. ^ Saint Sing, Susan (2010). The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew. New York, N.Y.: St. Martin's Press. p. 24. ISBN 9780312539238. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  4. ^ "Head of the Charles Regatta Rules and Regulations". hocr.org.
  5. ^ Powers, John (2015). Head of the Charles Regatta, First 50 (3 ed.). HOCR. ISBN 9780692458570.
  6. ^ Powers, John (2015). The Head of the Charles; First 50. HOCR. ISBN 9780692458570.
  7. ^ A better source for the History of this regatta is in "Yankee Magazine", September/October issue 2013.
  8. ^ Head of the Charles Regatta called off over coronavirus
  9. ^ The 2020 Head of the Charles Regatta has been canceled
  10. ^ "Awards". Head Of The Charles® Regatta. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  11. ^ "Rules & Guidelines". Head Of The Charles® Regatta. Retrieved July 6, 2022.
  12. ^ "Records | Head Of The Charles® Regatta". Head Of The Charles® Regatta. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
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42°21′45″N 71°7′1″W / 42.36250°N 71.11694°W / 42.36250; -71.11694

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