Why Do You Love the Head of the Charles?

At this year’s 60th Head of the Charles, Community Rowing, Inc., had a big tent draped with a huge banner that read “Why do you LOVE rowing?”

What a good question, I thought. Here we are at the world’s most fun regatta, so I think I’ll change the focus. I know what I love about the HOCR, but why not ask the multitudes? So I dug out my trusty pen and notebook and did just that. Here are some of the replies:

“I love it because it always falls within a day or two of my birthday, so it’s a birthday party with 200,000 of my best friends.”

“It’s the best place on Earth to see great rowing. You are so close to the action; you can really appreciate how athletic everyone is.”

“It’s like being at a horse race, right on the track. To see the power and grace is magnificent.”

“For me, it’s the friendships—a lifetime of camaraderie.”

“I love the enthusiasm of the announcers. I can’t imagine how they have the energy to be so positive.”

“I know that this year the weather is perfect, but believe it or not, it isn’t always. It sure feels like the gods are smiling on the HOCR almost every year.”

“I’m a coxswain and I love to get my boat out early in the week so that I can practice carving turns in the glassy water. I’ve got a tattoo of the course on my—I won’t tell you where—but I love the turns and negotiating the bridges.”

“I’m from LA, and it seems like no one my age rows anymore. I come here and I’m not even close to being the oldest person out there. It’s a fountain of youth for me. OK, I’m 82.”

“I like to see good rowing and it’s SO MUCH BETTER than it used to be. Maybe it’s the emphasis on junior rowing coming to fruition; there are so many boats full of really good rowing. OK, there’s some bad rowing, too, but I find the whole thing so inspiring.”

“I come because it’s a chance to reconnect with the 50 people I get to see only once a year.”

“I love the aesthetic of rowing. Because the boats are so close to the spectators, although they are racing, there is a parade-like quality; they are visible for more than a stroke or two. You really get to see the precision of their movements.”

“The babes!”

“The studs!”

“I love the opportunity to volunteer every year; this is my 20th year. I love to give back and to just have fun and be connected to something this great. The cool swag doesn’t hurt, either.”

“It’s a great community, and I love being part of it.”

“It’s spectacular to see so many people who love rowing.”

“The weather!”

“The great sportsmanship. You always hear people saying, ‘Good row. You guys looked great.’ There’s such a positive vibe here.”

“It’s so lively, so vibrant. I love being down in the Basin with all the banter that goes on. People on shore are so supportive. There’s just so much excitement.”

“Perfect fall weather.”

“We came from Italy because we love rowing and want to be part of the world’s biggest regatta. You know that regatta is an Italian word, no?”

“I love seeing all the new gear, unis, jackets, but most of all boats, oars, and electronics. No wonder the crews are so much faster now.”

“The crashes!”

“When I was in college, I thought that the coolest people went to the HOCR. Then when I started rowing, I thought that I would never go to the regatta without my varsity jacket. Now I go because I realize how awesome the whole day is.”

“Rowing is ideal for taking photos, and there is no better place to get close.”

“It was my first HOCR. I loved the excitement at the start—80 boats in my event, all trying to get ready. Looking at all of us was amazing! We got crashed into—just oars—and that was exciting, too. Kinda got my blood pumping. I was ready!”

To sum up, “it was a great day for the race, the human race.” It’s what we all need, this year more than ever.

Readers, why do you love it?

Doctor Rowing, a.k.a. Andy Anderson, has been coxing, coaching, and sculling for 55 years. When not writing, coaching, or thinking about rowing, he teaches at Groton School and considers the fact that all three of his children rowed and coxed—and none played lacrosse—his single greatest success.

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