4 Reasons Why The Head of The Charles Is Worth The Trip

The Head of the Charles Regatta, in Boston, Ma, has caused more than one coach to be stressed. The stress not coming from races, but instead from deciding whether or not to attend the event.

Between the cost of transportation, housing, meals, hordes of people, and the entry fees it is very easy to look at an event like the Charles and say, “Too expensive, I’m not going.” Or, “Too far away.” Or, “Too many people.” Count me out.

I know, I did just that.

For the past two years I haven’t come to the Charles after many years of racing there. All of the above reasons came into play.

But I came this year (prompted by my wonderful assistants) and the moment I arrived at the regatta I realized that for the past two years I missed out.

I missed out on some of the most important things that the Charles has to offer. I’m not talking about the racing, but some special things. Let me give you four examples of why I’m glad I’ve come.

The Crowds

We are a sport that teaches to excel in small, cramp quarters. I mean look at an eight. In what other sport do the athletes work so hard so close together. They are almost on top of each other, in each other’s way, sometimes fighting each other (“Why is it always on starboard”), and yet we excel at it.

The Charles on a good weather day (and the weather is good now) is the epitome of this. Talk about close. Stacked up a mile deep. But we do great at it. People use their manners, smile, help each other out. Yes, it happens at almost every regatta, but at the Charles everyone is so close and there are so many that it is the ultimate test. And rowers pass it very well.

Amazing Organization

Not only does the LOC (local organizing committee) nail this, but so does the city and park. Everywhere you turn the organization is super impressive. I like it because it sets an example for me to strive for. This image of a sign at one of the return docks emphasizes what I mean. This sign is for the coxswains ON the water looking for their dock home. Now that is organized.

Flash Dance

We need more flash in rowing. So often I hear, “Why don’t more people watch rowing?” Or, “It is never on TV.”

No kidding.

Besides some excitement now and then there is not much to attract people outside of rowing to rowing. What about some flash? It is almost in every other sport now. Here is an example of what I’m talking about. Resolute has done some neat things with their boats.

Flash. Why not.

New Ideas

Put a bunch of rowers together in one place and you are bound to come up with some really geeky ideas. But some of that stuff might just be really cool, or the next thing. Sculling on an erg. Why not.

And what might be just around the corner?

What do you think?