It’s that time of year! The picturesque Charles River becomes the sporting epicenter with the Head Of The Charles Regatta! It’s our yearly reminder of the spirit, beauty and passion of our great city! Each year, people fly from all parts of the country to witness what we have in our own backyard!
History
The 57th edition of the Head of the Charles Regatta will be held this weekend in Boston. According to Wikipedia:
“The Head of the Charles Regatta was first organized in 1965 by Cambridge Boat Club members D’Arcy MacMahon, Howard McIntyre, and Jack Vincent. They thought that a fall regatta would be an entertaining way to break up the monotony of the training season for colleges. Interestingly, 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.”
As time has shown, the original organizers dream came true, as the Regatta is one of Boston’s premier attractions each year!
According to Boston.com:
The regatta expanded to three days — Friday to Sunday — last year. Men and women over 50 will race Friday, the masters will row Saturday, and the youth on Sunday. There will be no health protocols for spectators in 2022.
So, let’s take a deep dive into the Head Of The Charles Regatta: Everything You Need!
Times of Races
Friday from 7:45-10:16 a.m., Saturday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:22 p.m., and Sunday from 7:45 a.m. to 3:38 p.m.
Where
The course start line is at Boston University’s DeWolfe Boathouse, and rowers finish the 3-mile upstream course at Herter Park along Soldiers Field Road.
Award Ceremonies will take place at Attager Row (“regatta” spelled backward) before the finish line at Herter Park.
Race results are updated on the Head of the Charles website, www.hocr.org.
Where Are The BEST Places to Watch?
▪ The singles and doubles launch from Magazine Beach, which offers a quieter experience.
▪ The BU Bridge gives spectators a look at the start line, and the River Street Bridge is the second bridge on the course and is a prime spot to watch the Powerhouse Stretch.
▪ The third bridge, the Western Avenue Bridge, will show the end of the Powerhouse Stretch.
Many spectators set up shop alongside the Weeks Footbridge, an iconic spot of the regatta known for its 90-degree turn that can shift races. The Anderson Bridge and the Eliot Bridge are the final two bridge spots on the course and give viewers a clear look at the finish line.
▪ Other places to watch — and eat and drink from vendors — include the Weld Exhibition at Riverbend Park, Hospitality Row, the Reunion Village, and Attager Row.
How Is The Weather?
Friday: Sunny skies. High 64F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny skies. High 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday: UMBRELLA NEEDED: Showers early, becoming a steady rain later in the day. High around 60F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.
How Do I Get There?
It’s Boston. You know the drill. Uber, Lyft to and from the event maybe a better idea instead of driving.
Public transportation is available via the MBTA, with three stations within walking distance: Central and Harvard on the Red Line and BU Central on the B branch of the Green Line. There also are MBTA bus routes (1, 47, 64, 66, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 86) in the area.
Where Can I Park?
While parking is limited, there are three spots available. There is free on-street parking on Birmingham Parkway. The lot at Alewife Station is open 24/7 for 2,627 cars and costs $9 per day, providing Red Line access to Harvard and Central.
Parking for 500 cars will be available at Harvard Stadium, Gate 14, for $30 per day. The lot will be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
▪ Road closures: Memorial Drive from Cambridge Boat Club to Western Avenue will be closed Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What Changes Can We Expect?
Last year’s regatta required masks indoors and encouraged social distancing. Those restrictions are no longer in place.
The 2021 edition also featured a largely domestic field but that will change this year. Typically, roughly one-fifth of the 11,000 athletes come from nearly 30 countries. Competitors from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand, and Australia are expected to return for 2022.
In August, the Head of the Charles announced RivalKit, a Scottish sportswear company, as its new apparel partner. RivalKit will have a retail location at Attager Row.
