Head of the Charles Regatta

The Head of the Charles Regatta, also known as HOCR or HOTC (though also an acronym for the Head of the Connecticut), is a rowing race held on the penultimate complete weekend of October each year on the Charles River, which separates Boston and Cambridge Massachusetts. It is the largest 2-day regatta in the world, with more than 8,000 athletes rowing in around 1750 boats in 52 events. It attracts about 300,000 spectators throughout Regatta weekend. The Head of the Charles Regatta is run by an office of 3 and approximately 1,500 volunteers.

The course is 3.2 miles 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 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 include current National Team athletes.

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, and the Netherlands, to name a few. 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.

Spectators can arrive easily via the MBTA T-line to Harvard or Central Squares in Cambridge, which are both approximately a 10-minute walk away from the river banks.

Additional features

Two-day music concert known as "Row-a-Palooza", located at the Weeks Footbridge on the Cambridge shore
Reunion Village, a cluster of protected tents where various alumni associations and clubs hold gatherings
Free pasta dinner for competitors
Multiple food and clothing vendors
Free giveaways along the river from sponsors including trips abroad, clothing, and samples