Head of the Charles, Hosted by BU
This weekend, it’s row, row, row your shell
The interactive map above offers a rower’s-eye view of the river and the famed Head of the Charles course, alongside one of BU’s varsity 8 shells. Learn some history and tactics and get some good tips on where to watch the race this weekend.
The Head of the Charles regatta is the world’s largest two-day rowing event, attracting more than 300,000 spectators to the banks of the Charles River. The first regatta was held in October 1965, and this year marks the 45th, which begins this Saturday, October 17. Today, more than 7,500 athletes from around the world descend on the waterway to row in 55 events.
While the Cambridge Boat Club, along with some 1,400 volunteers, puts on the annual competition, it all begins at BU’s DeWolfe Boathouse, where the shells line up for the gun and race officials camp out for the weekend.
“We are host to the Head of the Charles,” says varsity men’s crew coach Thomas Bohrer. “I like the excitement and energy of having the start of the biggest regatta at BU. It’s like Super Bowl weekend, and we’re in the spotlight.”
Caleb Daniloff can be reached at cdanilof@bu.edu. Edward A. Brown can be reached at ebrown@bu.edu.
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