The 47th Head of the Charles is this weekend (October 22-23, 2011). As many as 300,000 spectators will line the banks of the river Charles to watch more than 8,000 rowers compete in “the world’s largest two-day rowing event.”
Despite those daunting numbers, finding a good viewing spot along the 3.2-mile course has never been a problem for us. While I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve stopped by through the years, I am certain that there’s always more to learn about this event.
3 Things I Didn’t Know About the Head of the Charles Regatta
- The boats you see passing during the race have each started at different times. In a “head” race, the competitors are “racing against the clock” and the fastest time wins.
- Competitors row more than 3 miles before they reach the starting line.
- The winners get the title “Head” of the Charles.
The point is, you don’t need to know all the rules to enjoy this event. It’s a festive weekend with lots of fun activities for spectators including: a Rowing and Fitness Expo, Food Court, and Reunion Village to renew or maybe begin a friendship.
At the the Head of the Charles Regatta’s official website, you can discover more about the history of the race, the sport of rowing, and top viewing areas. Plus! For a special boats-eye view of the course, check out the Coxswain Video. At around 23 minutes in, they give you an accelerated trip from start to finish.
Do you watch scullers on the river and wish you could try? Here are a few books to learn more about the sport.
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Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino
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