‘Nothing Compares to It’: Crowds Assemble For the 61st Head of the Charles Regatta

Hundreds of thousands of rowers, coaches, and spectators flocked to the banks of the Charles River from Friday to Sunday for the 61st annual Head of the Charles Regatta, the world’s largest three-day rowing event.

Athletes hailed from around the world, representing more than 32 countries and 800 clubs — totaling more than 12,000 competitors. Rowers from across Great Britain, New Zealand, and South Africa, among others, raced the three-mile course, which starts at the Boston University DeWolfe Boathouse and ends at Herter Park.

Clementine E. Kirt ’30, who competes for Harvard Radcliffe Women’s Heavyweight Rowing, said the regatta, one of two events this fall when the team will row past their own boathouses, was “electric.”

“Nothing compares to it,” said Kirt, who competed in the Head of the Charles in high school. “It’s seriously so special, especially here at Radcliffe.”

Corporate sponsors for the event passed out merchandise and samples to spectators, stationed in pop-up locations on the bank of the river. Dunkin’ passed out free refreshers and coffee samples, while a Coca-Cola pop-up included free drinks and a build-your-own charm station. Local food and drink vendors sold fried dough, sandwiches, and other fare.

Falcon J. Martin, who staffed a booth for Zhik, an Australian weather-resistant athleticware company, said the regatta was like a “reunion” for rowers. Having competed for the past five years for the University of Wisconsin and then in their alumni boat, Martin said she was surrounded by familiar faces even while staffing the event.

“Rowing’s a sport that just sucks you in,” she said. “I still know my high school coaches and people I learned to grow from there. It’s like anyone that’s ever coached me — or I’ve coached — comes by and says ‘Hi.’”

The Charles River itself has also long been a hotspot for pollution and public health concerns. Last month, the Boston Public Health Commission lifted a monthlong cyanobacteria algae bloom health advisory for the river’s Lower Basin. The commission announced a similar advisory last year, lifting it days before the regatta was slated to begin.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority faced pushback this spring from environmental groups who opposed a draft plan to limit, but not eliminate, sewage overflow into the river. The Cambridge City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to back a stricter plan.

The organization that runs the regatta launched a sustainability initiative during its 55th rowing, aiming to improve the event’s sustainability year-over-year by encouraging reusable water bottle usage and expanding recycling and composting.

One of the event’s more than 2,400 volunteers, TJ Zhang, directed spectators to utilize compost bins stationed along the riverbank. Zhang said it was “rewarding” to see students composting their waste.

“We are doing something good here,” he said.

Members of the U.S. Women’s Senior National Rowing Team signed autographs for attendees over the weekend between races. One of the team’s coxswains, Hannah A. Diaz said the regatta was “unique” for most people in Boston to start thinking about rowing.

“Head of the Charles is the one time a year that they’re like, ‘Wait, what’s rowing? Like, what’s rowing happening this weekend? Where do I go? How do I watch?’” Diaz said.

“It’s an event that brings the whole city together,” she added.