What is the Head Of The Charles? | Sustainability Overview | Frequently Asked Questions

What is the
Head Of The Charles?

The event is the largest three-day rowing event in the world and pulls in over 11,000 rowers, representing 763 clubs, colleges, and universities from an international list of competitors. During this event, 72 races will run the three-mile course. The race starts at the Boston University Boathouse, and continues for three miles upstream (east to west) past Harvard University and Cambridge Boat Club, to the finish line at Herter Park off of Soldier’s Field Road. The Regatta has only a minimal paid staff and relies on its volunteers to function. Some of these volunteers have been helping to organize and run the event for more than twenty years. We hope that you will consider coming back next year to volunteer again! Your participation and experience is the lifeblood of the Regatta.

When is the Regatta?

For 2024, racing is Friday, October 18 (8am-10am), and Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20 from 8am-4pm.

Sustainability volunteers will also be on hand Thursday 10/17 during vendor set up, and Friday afternoon, which is also a practice time for competitors.

Sustainability!

HOCR will be providing collection containers for food waste and compostable packaging, in addition to recycling and trash. All registered food vendors will be selling their products in compostable packaging. Sustainability volunteers are needed to help monitor waste collection (compost, recycle, trash) stations and bins, answer questions from spectators, point folks in the right direction, and help to upkeep the Sustainability efforts of the Regatta. Volunteers will work in groups of 2-6 at assigned locations. See Volunteer Job Description and check out our RESULTS from past years for more information.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Please see the Assignments page for meeting location. You will be assigned to one of our high-traffic zones in a team of 2-5. Please arrive 15 minutes before your shift and allow plenty of time.

Areas include:

  • Attager Row – (Boston) Rowing and Fitness Expo, Herter Park between Amphitheater and Canoe & Kayak kiosk
  • Hospitality Row – (Boston) upstream of Eliot Bridge
  • Cambridge Boat Club parking lot – (Cambridge) 2 Gerry’s Landing
  • Reunion Village – (Cambridge) upstream side of Weld Boathouse
  • Weld Exhibition – (Cambridge) area between Weld Boathouse and Weeks Footbridge

HOCR Sustainability Map

HOCR Site Map

  1. Bring a government-issued photo ID. You will need it to register as a volunteer and pick up your official HOCR volunteer premium garment. You must pick up your premium at the Volunteer Tent BEFORE your shift .
    • Dates/Times to pick up at Volunteer Tent:
      • Fri 10/18 – 6am-5pm
      • Sat 10/19 – 6am-5pm
      • Sun 10/20 – 6am-noon
    • Thursday volunteers will need to pick up on a different day. There is no early pick up this year.
    • Friday, Saturday, and Sunday volunteers, please plan your arrival accordingly to pick up premium before your shift starts.

2. Wear comfortable, warm layers of clothing and closed toed shoes. Check the weather forecast before you leave your house. You will be standing and walking for much of your shift, and it will all be outdoors. We do not have any covered shelter. Be prepared for the possibility of cold, rain and mud. Please bring waterproof footwear, clothing that you think will keep you comfortable throughout your shift, gloves and hand warmers (available at sporting goods stores). Do not wear flip-flops! We will also ask you to wear your volunteer premium on top of your other layers.

3. Bring any snacks and drinks you’ll need to get through your shift, including a reusable water bottle. If you know you’ll need coffee, please bring a thermos. If you’ll need an energy bar or two, bring them. If you sometimes need an inhaler or other medications when you’re in the outdoors and working, please bring them. Lunch will be served to all volunteers working during the lunch hour.

4. Bring your cell phone. We may need to contact you or you may need to contact us throughout the weekend, or you may need to call 911 in the event of an emergency.

5. Leave your valuables at home. We are NOT able to provide secure storage. Please leave your valuables hidden in your car, with a friend at the Regatta, or at your home.

6. Bring your positive attitude and good cheer! Volunteers serve as HOCR ambassadors all weekend. Please familiarize yourself with the HOCR volunteer code of conduct:

https://www.hocr.org/volunteers/volunteer-code-of-conduct/

 

1. Please pick up your volunteer premium BEFORE your shift. You are required to have a Photo ID to pick up your premium and to sign your volunteer waiver! The Volunteer committee and premiums are at the Volunteer Tent in Attager Row.

2. Be on time. Be prepared for delays. Please arrive 15 minutes before your shift. Mandatory training sessions will take place before each shift, and we will be checking names. It is very important that volunteers be on time for training and that you have your volunteer premium with you. Please check the Assignments Page for meeting points. 

Drivers should obey posted regulations and should not park after dark.

More information from HOCR.org can be found here.

The Regatta is run on a very tight budget. Much of the monies come in through licensing and sponsorship agreements obtained from the sale of officially licensed merchandise. Some people every year try to use the Regatta to raise money for either themselves or their organizations without working with the licensing folks to do so.

If you see anyone using the Regatta’s name without the registered trademark or in a way that leads you to question if the Regatta would approve, please take a photo or note down where you are and call (617) 868-6200. Please do not confront the vendor directly. Let the Trademark Enforcement folks know what you have seen and they will investigate and interact with the vendor, if action is warranted.

  • Use Radio Channel 1 or call 911
  • Inform the committee co-chairs by race radio of the emergency so we can head to the scene.
  • Please stay calm and be ready to provide the person who answers with
  1. the nature of the problem
  2. your location
  3. your name
  4. your phone number

The HOCR emergency channel acts as a clearinghouse for all emergencies on or next to the river during the Regatta and ensures that the closest, appropriate emergency staff can help resolve the situation. They are in direct and constant contact with the Boston and Cambridge, fire, police, emergency divers, and paramedics.

Do not administer first aid unless you have been qualified to do so.

The co-chairs of the Sustainability Committee may be best contacted during Th/Fr/Sa/Su using one of the race radios. 

  • Courtney Forrester 
  • Miriam Alandydy 
  • Dieckmann Cogill 
  • Liz Dill 
  • Marybeth Schulte 
  • John Nagao 

cell phone #s will be provided to volunteers before race weekend