Courtesy of Sean Doherty
On October 17-19, more than 325,000 spectators and 12,000 competitors packed the riverbanks between Boston and Cambridge, MA for the annual Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR). Connecticut College men’s and women’s rowing traveled North to compete in the event’s 60th anniversary, showcasing boats in two events across the weekend.
On the men’s side, four Camels competed in the collegiate 4+ event. Parker Russell ‘26, Ryan Yanko ‘27, John McCormack ‘26, and Jake Cataldi ‘28, led by coxswain Samira Grossmann-Ferris ‘26, helped the boat finish 27th in the field of 40 in a time of 17:31.357.
The women raced in the collegiate 8+ event, finishing in a time of 19:07.510. The team of Eldana Zhakypbaeva ‘27, Tandin Johnson Ward ‘26, Katherine Hicks ‘27, Sadie Joseph ‘28, Julia Finney ‘26, Ruth Schmidt ‘27, Lexi Downing ‘26, Emily Fairfield ‘26, led by coxswain Caroline Lee ‘26, finished 32nd in a field of 37.
The Head of the Charles has remained one of the most prolific rowing competitions in the world since its inception in 1965. This year, the event attracted teams from 25 countries racing in 74 events, including collegiate, professional, and masters races.
“Every year athletes from around the world gather for the chance to leave their mark on the Charles,” said the Head of the Charles Website. “A three-mile race upstream on a river full of bends and bridges promises to keep family, friends, and spectators cheering from start to finish.”
The operation of the weekend is equal in stature to the competition itself. According to their website, the logistical details are handled by a volunteer Race Committee, which includes twelve members who meet annually to organize 30 smaller committees.
“Support from numerous boat clubs, colleges and universities, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), as well as 2,400 hardworking volunteers help make the HOCR a continued success year after year,” the Head of the Charles website said.
Samira Grossmann-Ferris ‘26, coxswain of the men’s collegiate four boat, explained the significance of the event for Conn despite the river’s challenges.
“Racing the Head of the Charles is like no other event of the fall season,” Grossmann-Ferris said. “The course is anything but a straight line to the finish, with 90 and 180 degree turns and six bridges, so as a coxswain it is both the most difficult and important day of the year.”
Conn has a proud history at the regatta, marking multiple top-35 finishes in their respective events across the past 3 years. The men’s team competed at the regatta in 2024 as part of the club division. This year, they took on an exclusively collegiate field, toppling top rival schools such as Middlebury, Amherst, and WPI.
“The opportunity to compete against crews from around the world, row on the same day as the very best in the sport, and race with thousands of spectators down the entire course is like nothing else,” Grossmann-Ferris said.
The Head of the Charles is not only a historic rowing competition, but also an experience for the spectators. The event showcased nearly 100 sponsors, including Dunkin’, Vineyard Vines, WBUR, and multiple professional Boston sports teams. As they watched the races, fans could peruse the banks of the river and shop for sponsored merchandise, grab a bite to eat from food trucks, or relax at the Dunkin’ lounge, for example. Vendors even offered free beverages and food while spectators took to the Topo Chico-sponsored DJ dance floor. For die-hard crew fans, 34 rowing product exhibitors were also selling merchandise and products. For those wishing to elevate their experience, the regatta offered exclusive hospitality, including the Director’s Lounge at Cambridge Boat Club and the Eliot Bridge Enclosure.
Grossmann-Ferris weighed in on the commercial aspects of the race.
“Given how big the day is and how many people attend, it only makes sense to bring in vendors,” she said. “It is one of the best opportunities for rowing outfitters to advertise the newest upgrades to gear, and an opportunity to see what top-of-the-line items work best for them.”
As the races began, thousands of people picked their viewing spot along the course. Many choose their viewpoint and stick to it, with most standing on the iconic Weeks Footbridge or the Eliot Bridge, but some choose to make the three-mile trek down the river, travelling from the Boston University Dewolfe Boathouse to the Herter Park finish.
In an interview with WBUR, the regatta’s executive director, Tori Stevens, flaunted the event’s many new fan experiences.
“We’ve been really leaning into fan engagement and trying to bring more people into the sport and making it more accessible and easier to view,” Stevens said in the interview. Some of the new experiences included live musical performances from Berklee students, Boston sports mini-games, and cameras inside boats to livestream the races from the water.
Whether you’re an athlete, a fan, or a volunteer, the Head of the Charles brings an exciting and classic Boston experience every year. The Camels have seen steady improvements over the past few years at the regatta, and look to continue the momentum going forward.
“Our team is always working to get faster, and with the depth we have built over the last few years, the future’s looking bright,” Grossmann-Ferris said. “As for the HOCR, the race comes near the close of our fall season and this year sets the tone for an exciting spring. The guys are putting in the work through the winter in preparation for a big spring season, with lots of energy from our senior class to finish strong!”
