Posted: Sep 23, 2021

Men's & Women's Rowing to Row in Head of the Charles Regatta

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- Each year the Buccaneer rowing teams tentatively puts the Head of the Charles Regatta on their schedule in the hopes that they will receive a big to compete in the premier rowing event. In early September, Head Coaches Alex Machi and Tessa Shade received word that their teams had been awarded a bid to compete in the men's and women's championship fours divisions in the Regatta on the weekend of October 22-24, 2021.

Founded in 1965, The Head of The Charles Regatta (HOCR) is the world's largest rowing race, regularly fielding more than 11,000 athletes from around the world to compete in a full line-up of sculling and sweep rowing events. Not only does the event attract rowers from all over the World, it attracts spectators from around the Globe who pack the banks of the River and watch the rowers compete.

The last time the Buccaneers competed in the event thre years ago, the women's team struggled against the large field of shells and finished in 33rd place. This year, with a strong group of rowers on the men's and women's side, the Bucs will look to improve on their previous performance.

"Not only is the Head of the Charles Regatta the largest rowing competition, it is one of the few athletic competitions anywhere in which relatively inexperienced rower can line up in the same event as an Olympic champion. With nearly 11,000 competitors, more than 200,000 spectators, and two days of nearly non-stop racing over the 3-mile course, it's a once in a lifetime event for most collegiate athletes. So this race has our teams very excited, "said head men's rowing coach Alex Machi, "And maybe especially motivated to train hard this season! Though novice team members aren't eligible to race there this year, the experience will inspire them to work toward their opportunity to be in the Charles next year."

After the event went virtual for 202, Executive Director of the Regata, Fred Schoch is excited to get rowers back on the water. "Our long wait is finally over and we look forward to hosting the world rowing community back in Boston this fall," said Fred Schoch, "As circumstances surrounding the pandemic have continued to significantly improve in Massachusetts, we want to let our community know that we are in full planning mode for October and look forward to providing a safe event for our competitors, our volunteers, and our spectators."

While the full schedule has not yet been released, the Buccaneers are scheduled to compete on Sunday, October 24th with the Men's Championship Fours going off at 1:04PM (Event 54) and the Women's Championship Fours going off at 1:18PM (Event 56).

For more information on the Head of the Charles Regatta, visit their website at HOCR.org.