Rules & Procedures

+ 1. Registration

The complete registration process and dates can be found on the registration page.

1.1 - All boats must register in the designated registration window. Late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the registrar and placed last on any post-lottery waitlist. If accepted, late entries will be charged 25% more than the standard entry fees.

1.2 - Guaranteed Entry Codes (GECs) will be provided to all boats within 10% of winning adjusted time in each event of the prior year’s Head of the Hooch. If there are no results from the prior year, the next available year’s results will be used.

1.2.1 - GECs are sent to the email address on file for the previous year’s registrant. Contact the Registrar if you have not received your GEC one week prior to the opening of registration. The Hooch is not responsible if you do not receive your code.

1.2.2 - GECs must be used while registering on RegattaCentral. If your entry does not have one, it will be placed in the lottery draw and will not be seeded should it be accepted.

1.2.3 - GECs can only be used in the event they were earned and by the same club as the preceding year for all 8+, 4+/x, 2-/x events.

1.2.4 - GECs awarded for singles (1x) events are awarded to the rower and can only be used by that rower regardless of their club/affiliation. GECs for 1x races can be used by that rower in any 1x event they are qualified to row in.

1.2.5 - Any event with divisions will have GECs awarded independently to both divisions of an event.

1.2.6 - A GEC for a composite crew can only be used if it contains at least 50% of the same rowers as the previous year.

1.2.7 - A GEC only guarantees you an entry if you register within the lottery registration period.

1.2.8 - If you receive a GEC for an event that you do not/no longer qualify for please contact the registrar.

1.2.9 - Should events be canceled for any reason, all boats in the event will receive a guaranteed entry for the following year.

1.3 - All non-guaranteed entries will be placed into a lottery for their event and chosen as detailed on the registration page.

1.3.1 - Adaptive entries will not be subject to the lottery and will not receive GECs as a result.

1.4 - Rowers can only be entered under one club name, no exceptions.

1.5 - Crews are responsible for entering their boats in the correct event. If you are entered in the wrong event your entry will not be moved after the lottery draw. If you do not meet the requirements for the event, your entry will be forfeited.

1.6 - Any crew with unpaid fees from the previous year’s Hooch will not be allowed to enter until their balance is paid.

1.7 - No boats will be entered into the Hooch after the bow draw has been posted.

1.8 - Registered boats that “no show” on regatta weekend may be banned from racing in the next year’s Head of the Hooch.

1.9 - The organizing committee reserves the right to adjust event caps based on demand, however, no cap will be reduced.

1.10 - All crews should pick up their bow numbers at least 2 hours prior to their first race. Any entry that races, but does pick up their bow number from the registration tent will be disqualified.

1.11 - Any rower who races without a signed USRowing waiver, as determined by the organizing committee, will have any boat they row in disqualified.

1.12 - The organizing committee reserves the right to provide additional entries to select clubs as an award for their exceptional volunteer efforts.

1.13 - Para and Inclusive Para Inclusive Time Standard: Event competitors should be able to complete a 4500 meter course in 30 minutes or less.

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+ 2. Event Definitions

2.1 - Youth Novice Events: Limited to youth (see rule 2.6) rowers who have been competing for one year or less as of the first Regatta Day. Experience in sculling events does not count as experience in sweep events and vice versa. Additionally, rowers who began their freshman year of High School in Aug/Sept of the same calendar year are allowed to compete as novice rowers.

2.1.1 - In an effort to increase safety on the water, youth novice boats are not required to have a novice level coxswain.

2.2 – Collegiate Frosh/Novice Events: Limited to college rowers enrolled in their first year (freshman year) at a college/university, or, rowers who have been competing at all levels (including high school) for less than one year as of the first regatta day.

2.3 - Mixed Crews: Each mixed crew shall include men and women rowers. Doubles require a crew of one man and one woman, quads/fours crews may have either one man or two, and eights crews may have two, three, or four men. Coxswains are exempt from this rule. Any entry violating this rule will be excluded.

2.4 - Men’s or Women’s Events: Men’s events are for male scullers and rowers only. Women’s events are for female scullers and rowers only. Coxswains may be of either gender.

2.5 - Minimum Age: All 1x rowers & all coxswains must obtain the age of 14 by December 31st of the current year. All other entries may have rowers under the age of 14 as long as the average boat age is 14 or greater, not including the coxwain's age.

2.6 - Masters Events: Per USRowing rules, Masters Events are limited to competitors who have attained or will attain the age of 21 during the current calendar year. A competitor’s age is determined as of December 31 of the current calendar year, rounded down to the highest contained integer. A competitor thus becomes a Master on January 1 of the year of his or her 21st birthday. A Masters crew shall be comprised exclusively of master’s rowers, but the coxswain need not be a Master. With the exception of Masters 1x events, which are already split by age, all other master’s events will have two divisions, 50 and over and Under 50. The age is based on the average age of the boat. Handicaps will still be used. The events will be run as one event (same start time and same event number), however, medals will be awarded to each category.

2.6.1 - Should any division of a master’s event receive less than 5 entries, the divisions for that event will be combined.

2.7 - Youth Events: Only rowers and coxswains who are classified as “Youth” by the USRowing definition (Rule 4-104.1(c) Classification by Age) may enter the Head of the Hooch events labeled “Youth”, “Youth Lightweight”, “Youth Novice”, or the “Parent/Child 2x” events with no exceptions. These competitors may not enter any other events. USRowing defines a youth rower as: “A Youth is a Competitor who in the current calendar year does not attain the age of 19, or who is and has been continuously enrolled in a secondary school as a full-time student seeking a diploma. A Competitor thus ceases to be a Youth after December 31 of the year of his or her 18th birthday, or of the year in which he/she completes the 12th grade of secondary school, having been a full-time student, whichever is later.” A youth rower entering any other events will have their entries scratched and jeopardizes their future collegiate athletic eligibility per the NCAA “Prospective Student-Athlete” rules.

2.7.1 - Youth events may be split into separate age groups (i.e., U19, U17 & U15). All rowers in the boat will need to be under the respective age limit for each event for these entries.

2.8 - Open Events: Open events are open to all rowers and coxswains who have attained or will attain the age of 19 in the current calendar year (no youth rowers). All open events have no handicap or weight limit.

2.9 - Collegiate Events: Open to all rowers currently enrolled at a college or university. Rowers/programs who meet one or more of the following cannot enter any Collegiate event and must enter a Championship and/or Open event. NOTE: These restrictions do not apply to Frosh/Novice or Lightweight Collegiate events.

• Programs with NCAA Division I, II, III status.
• Boats containing any rower who, in the current calendar year, finished in the top 6 places in any national team trials, national or international championships (e.g., FISA World Cup), NCAA Championships (all divisions), or IRA National Championship.
• Boats containing any rower who, in the current or preceding eight calendar years, competed at the FISA World Championships or Olympic games.

2.10 - Championship Events: Championship events are open to all collegiate and club teams. Please see rule 2.9 above for crews/rowers that must enter Championship events.

2.11 - Alumni Events: Alumni are rowing on behalf of and represent their Alma mater. At least ¾ of the rowers must be graduates from the institution they represent. All crews will be considered masters and the Hooch masters handicap system will not apply. Alumni boats do not earn team points.

2.12 - Parent/Child 2x: All entries in the Parent/Child 2x event shall be comprised of two rowers, an adult master’s rower, and their son or daughter. The “child” can be of any age. Entries can be mixed or of the same gender. The standard Masters’ handicap will not apply to this event.

2.12 - Para Events

2.12.1 - Composition: These events are same or mixed gender crews made up of same classification athletes.

2.12.2 - Classification: USRowing OR FISA Adaptive classifications are required for this event. Provisional classifications will be considered by the Hooch Adaptive Coordinator.

2.13 - Inclusive Para Events

2.13.1 - Composition: This event is for mixed classifications of athletes including a rower and an able-bodied rowing partner. Need a rowing partner? Able Bodied Rowing Partners are available for single athletes. Contact the Adaptive Coordinator to be paired with a rowing partner: pararowing@headofthehooch.org.

2.13.2 - Classification: Official USRowing Adaptive classification is required for this event. For a provisional classification, please contact the Adaptive Coordinator at pararowing@headofthehooch.org.

+ 3. Coxswains

3.1 - Youth Events: Coxswains who are defined by USRowing rules as a “Youth” cannot cox a boat entered into any collegiate or open events. Doing so jeopardizes their future collegiate athletic eligibility per the NCAA “Prospective Student-Athlete” rules. Youth coxswains are not bound by the rules defining a Youth Novice (i.e. a Youth Varsity rower may cox a Youth Novice boat if desired).

3.2 - Masters and Collegiate: Coxswains are not subject to any restrictions, and may cox a boat of any age category, skill level or gender. However, they are not permitted to cox any Youth boats.

3.3 - Weight: There are no weight requirements for coxswains.

3.4 - Age: All coxswains must obtain the age of 14 by December 31st of the current year.

+ 4. Seeding & Bow Draw

4.1 - Seeding: To be seeded boats must be registered with a Guaranteed Entry Code (GEC). Boats without a GEC are not guaranteed their seeded start position during the bow draw.

4.1.1 - Boats will be seeded based on prior year’s raw finishing times, including in handicapped events.

4.1.2 - Boats will be seeded in the following order:

• Returning boats awarded guaranteed entries from the previous year (top 10%). These will be seeded based on the previous year’s raw time.
• Returning boats without a guaranteed entry but with above average raw times from the preceding year will be given consideration to be seeded before the random draw at the discretion of the organizing committee.
• Random draw from the remaining entries until one boat has been placed for each organization. Non-guaranteed composite entries will be drawn in this group.
• Random draw from the all remaining entries until all remaining boats have been placed.
• Note: Within a single organization, boats are placed by designation (A, B, etc.); entering several boats with the ‘A’ designation will not result in better seeds. Should two or more boats be labeled as the ‘A’ boat, the order the entries were submitted will be used to determine which is the first or ‘A’ entry.
• Note: Events with divisions are considered one event and will be seeded as one event ignoring the divisions.

4.2 - Bow numbers are assigned sequentially across all events based on the results of seeding. The first boat in event 1 will be bow #1, the last boat of racing on Sunday will be around bow #2500. Gaps will be left between events.

+ 5. Time Adjustments

5.1- Masters

5.1.1 - Age handicap is calculated based on the following USRowing formula: HC= (age – 27)² * Z Adjusted for a 4500m course.

Values for Z

0.0900 for 8+’s & 4x’s

0.0972 for 2x’s & 4+’s

0.1125 for 1x’s & 2-’s

5.1.2 - For Master 2x, 4x, 4+, and 8+ the age of the crew will be the average of the rowers (except for coxswain). Handicaps are rounded to the nearest second. When the average age is 27 or below the handicap will be zero.

5.1.3 - For Masters 1x events, the rower must be registered for the correct age category and cannot row up or down an age classification.

5.1.4 - The correct age must be provided for each crew member. If any age is missing, no handicap will be assigned to the boat. Any handicap corrections must be made online prior to the deadline for lineup changes. No handicap changes will be accepted on the day of the race.

5.2 - Para and Inclusive Para

5.2.1 - Para Time Adjustments: Time adjustments will be made according to the composition of the entry based on gender and adaptive classification.

5.2.2 - Inclusive Para Time Adjustments: Time adjustments will be applied according to the makeup of the crew.

+ 6. Weigh-In

6.1 - Athletes must weigh-in at least one hour preceding their first race.

6.2 - Athletes may weigh-in at any of the following times: Friday 2:00pm to 6:00pm, Saturday 8:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday 6:00am to 10:00am.

6.3 - Athletes in the same boat do not need to weigh-in together.

6.4 - There will be no boat weight averaging for lightweights of either gender.

6.5 - Lightweight weights:

6.5.1 - Male Youth Rowers will have a maximum weight of 150 lbs.

6.5.2 - Male Rowers in all other age groups will have a maximum weight of 160 lbs.

6.5.3 - Female Rowers in all age groups will have a maximum weight of 130 lbs.

+ 7. Equipment & Bow Numbers

7.1 - All boats must conform to the USRowing regulations regarding construction and design detailed in Article III, Part A of the 2023 Rules of Rowing.

7.2 - All boats will be inspected by referees to ensure they conform to the USRowing regulations. If any boat does not conform, that boat will not be allowed to launch. This inspection will occur either on Friday or immediately prior to launch Saturday and Sunday. Once boats have been checked, they will be tagged so that they do not have to be checked again for subsequent races.

7.3 - Bow numbers: All boats racing must carry their assigned bow number, provided by the Hooch, to ensure accurate timing. Incorrect or missing bow numbers can result in being miss timed or a penalty. See rule 11.9. Bow numbers must be returned to the dock volunteers as boats come off the water.

7.4 - Shirt/Bib numbers: All boats racing must have their assigned bow number, provided by the Hooch, pinned to the back of single scullers or the back of the bow rower, not the coxswain. See rule 11.9.

7.5 - Para and Inclusive Para

7.5.1 - Strapping: Guidelines for strapping are set by USRowing.

7.5.2 - Equipment: Minimum equipment requirements are listed on the FISA Para-Rowing landing page, here.

+ 8. Launching

8.1 - Practice session: The race course will be open for practice from 12:00pm to 6:00pm on the Friday before the regatta, no boats shall be allowed to launch before noon or after 5:30pm. Regatta marshals will be on the course during the practice. No practice will be allowed on race days.

8.1.1 - During practice, race traffic patterns (stay to the left, port side) apply throughout the course. Penalties of 1 minute or disqualification from the regatta may be assessed for violation of this rule. All race weekend launch and recovery traffic patterns will also apply.

8.1.2 - Crews in small boats (1x, 2x, 2-) wishing to row a portion of the course during practice may turn after the East end of the island and merge into the traffic pattern in the racing lane of the course. Turning crews must yield to crews in the traffic pattern from the start area when entering the course. A course marshal may be located in this area; if so, crews must follow any instructions given to them or risk a penalty.

8.1.3 - All rowers/crews looking to practice must check in at the registration tent prior to launching. All rowers launching to practice will be required to wear a wristband, provided by the Hooch, indicating completion of their USRowing waivers and payment of all entry fees.

8.2 - Launch Rules: All oars must be placed on the grass area near the dock from which boats are launching before boats are permitted down the ramps accessing the launch area. Before the boat reaches the front of the queue, helpers must be present with the oars ready to accompany the boat onto the launch dock. No launching will be permitted from the UTC docks or the Lookout Rowing Club docks.

8.3 - For safety purposes and efficiency of starting boats, the Hooch asks coaches to not send first time or inexperienced coxswains out on the water. Additionally, by entering a crew in an event, the coach is certifying that the crew will be race ready and capable of executing routine maneuvers required in rowing (i.e. launching, turning, steering, docking). This applies to both coxed and non-coxed events. If in the judgment of the dock master or start marshal, a coxswain or crew is too inexperienced, the boat will not be allowed to race.

8.4 - Launch schedule: Launch schedules will be announced during the Coaches’ & Coxswains’ Meeting Friday before the regatta. There will be only one call to launch prior to each event. The launch officials at Control Commission will encourage all boats to launch on time, but it is expected that crews be aware of their launch times and not depend solely on calls to launch from regatta officials.

8.5 - Registered boats failing to launch during the appropriate launch window for their race will not be allowed to race. No crew will be allowed to launch with less than 45 minutes prior to their scheduled race time.

8.5.1 - The time cutoff for launching will not be adjusted unless there is an official change to the scheduled time of the race. Crews choosing to launch later than the published time on the official heat sheet due to a perceived lateness of the regatta risk not being allowed to launch for their race.

8.6 - Traffic pattern: The start line is located approximately three and one-quarter miles upstream from the boat launching area. Buoys will separate the racecourse from the upstream traffic. Boats are required to keep to the port (North) side of the river while proceeding to the start. See Course Map

8.7 - Para and inclusive para launching: The Head of the Hooch WILL NOT be providing boat tents, slings, or a trailer at the GPS dock and teams will need to bring their own equipment for staging in the GPS area. Please note, also, that bringing a trailer back into the venue following completion of the race will not be permitted.

8.7.1 - Option 1 - Standard Launch: Para and inclusive para athletes will launch from the venue launch docks at Ross’ Landing. There will be a staging area near the launch dock (next to the Control Commission tent). Upon completion of the race, adaptive athletes will recover from the venue recovery docks at Ross’ Landing. See Ross' Landing map

8.7.2 - Option 2 - Upriver Launch: Para and inclusive para athletes can launch from the Girls Preparatory School (GPS) dock about 2000m upriver from the venue launch docks. Teams may row shells up to GPS on Saturday Afternoon. Volunteers will be available to row equipment from the venue launch docks at Ross’ Landing to the GPS dock OR crews may stage their equipment at the GPS dock. Volunteers or athletes may row para and inclusive para equipment back to the GPS dock after completing a race.

+ 9. At the Start

9.1 - On time starting will be strictly enforced. All crews must be at the marshaling area 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time of their race. Late starts, defined as arriving to the starting chute after one or more boats in a following race have started, will not be permitted. The Hooch Organizing Committee will schedule launch times to allow sufficient time to row to the start with consideration for the Tennessee River current on each race day. It is expected that crews row at a brisk pace to the start line to ensure that racing can proceed on schedule. The race will be with the current, whereas rowing to the start will be against the current. Make sure you allow enough time to row up to the start.

9.2 - Crews are responsible for maintaining proper position at the start; the marshals will attempt to put the crews into the numerical bow number order, but crews arriving late will not necessarily be moved up past other crews in the queue to start in their scheduled sequence.

9.3 - Marshals will be positioned in launches in the starting area for the purpose of organizing participating crews above the start into the proper starting order and time interval.

9.4 - Crews shall be responsible for maintaining their proper starting position (increasing numerical order), for maintaining the proper interval between themselves and other crews (2 lengths of open water or as directed by a start marshal or the starter), and for aligning themselves single file in the starting chute.

9.5 - Crews will be called to the start chute in approximately ten-second intervals. Do not increase pressure and move towards the start chute until instructed to do so.

9.6 - All crews not currently involved in the staging of the start shall yield to crews being summoned by a start marshal. Interference with the staging of the start and failure to follow the commands of marshals or the starter shall result in a penalty.

9.7 - Time permitting, the starter shall provide for a sufficient amount of time between events so that crews in different events do not overlap on the course or at the finish line. If delays occur, the starter and start marshals will work to get all boats on the course safely and with the least event overlap possible.

9.8 - Broken Equipment: Crews experiencing broken equipment on the way to the start should report their issue to a course marshal or start marshal as soon as possible. If the issue can be fixed on the water and the boat is safe to race, the crew will be allowed to proceed to the start as long as they will arrive at the start in time for the scheduled start of their race. Crews with equipment that cannot be fixed or not fixed in time for their race will be instructed to return to the recovery dock along the racing lane close to shore when safe to do so, with care to yield to all racing crews.

+ 10. On the Course

10.1 - A crew is deemed to be overtaking another crew when it has moved to within one length of open water of the crew ahead.

10.2 - The boat overtaking (Passer) has the right of way to pass (on the side of its choice) if a safe pass can be accomplished. However, crews must take note of the following:

10.2.1 - If a pass is attempted and there is not adequate room and time to perform the pass, the Passer is at risk of incurring interference penalties. In situations involving three or more boats, there are areas such as bridge arches and narrow areas where passing cannot be accomplished safely.

10.2.2 - Communicate effectively during racing. All bow coxed shells are strongly advised to have their bow seat rower and all stern coxed shells are strongly advised to have their stroke seat rower advise their coxswain when there is clear water astern after completing a pass. Timely instruction from the appropriate rower may assist in avoiding a stern-to-bow collision and/or an interference penalty due to cutting in too soon.

10.2.3 - When boats come together and interlock, this does not necessarily result in a penalty situation if there were no specific violations of the racing rules observed by a race official.

10.3 - The boat being overtaken (Overtakee) must yield and give suitable room to the Passer (on the side chosen by the Passer) if a safe pass can be accomplished. Generally, this will be the shortest line that gives an advantage. Failure to yield to the Passer is one of the most serious infractions of competitive conduct. Crews must:

10.3.1 - Be alert to possible upcoming passing attempts and promptly yield when there is adequate room and time.

10.3.2 - Be prepared to miss a few strokes to allow the Passer to pass safely and without interference.

10.3.3 - Communicate effectively during racing. All bow coxed shells are strongly advised to have their bow seat rower and all stern coxed shells are strongly advised to have their stroke seat rower advise their coxswain when a following crew is about to begin a pass and on which side the passer is approaching. Timely instruction from the appropriate rower may assist in avoiding an interference penalty.

+ 11. Penalties

To be able to launch, race and recover over 2,000 boats between Saturday and Sunday, we need to be very efficient both on and off the water. The following penalties can be assessed:

11.1 - Unsportsmanlike Conduct (UC): Good sportsmanship must prevail at all times. Instances of unsportsmanlike conduct by scullers, crews, coaches and/or spectators will be reported and penalties may be assessed, ranging from a reprimand to a time penalty of 60 seconds, exclusion or disqualification depending on the severity of the incident. Examples of unsportsmanlike conduct are:

• Showing blatant disregard for safety at any time during the event.
• Showing disrespect to an official, fellow competitor, or volunteer.
• Crossing the start line without the assigned bow number and shirt/bib number visible on the bow rower. This includes incorrectly placed bow and/or bib numbers.
• Crossing the finish line without an athlete (includes coxswain). Presumed penalty is exclusion.
• Urinating in the Tennessee River. Presumed penalty is disqualification.
• Crews associated with unauthorized or improper drone flights. See drone policy.

11.2 - Buoy Violation (BV): 10-second penalty for passing a buoy on the wrong side.

11.3 - Traffic Violation (TV): 30 second penalty. Examples include failure to follow Officials instructions, interfering with start staging, failing to yield to a crew with the right of way, crews that stop rowing immediately after crossing the finish line, disregarding the traffic patterns (both for practice and race days).

11.4 - Launch Area Violation (LV): 60 second penalty. Examples include crews that exceed the allowed dock times (3 minutes for 8+, 2 minutes for all other boats), crews attempting to land at the launch dock or hot seating at the recovery dock, crews who proceed to the launch dock without all the required personnel and equipment nearby (missing seats, oars, athletes).

11.5 - Collision/Interference Violation (CV): 60 second penalty. One example includes a passing crew causing a collision or forcing the crew being overtaken off the race course.

11.6 - Other Violation (OV): The Race Committee reserves the right to rule on any situation not covered in these or other printed rules and to penalize or disqualify any competitor or crew that appears to violate the spirit or letter of the Regatta’s rules.

+ 12. The Finish

12.1 - After crossing the finish line, crews shall continue to row at light pressure and slowly proceed to the turnaround area as marked by red buoys, avoiding interference with other crews. Crews shall also follow any instructions given to them by the finish marshals.

12.2 - Appeals: Scullers and crews may appeal for relief from any ruling of ineligibility or any penalty imposed on them for alleged infractions (i.e. interference, course violations) but no appeal alleging interference by a competing entry will cause a penalty to be assessed on the alleged crew. Appeals must be made by a race participant who observed or experienced the incident. No crew shall receive a time advantage from a decision by the Ombudsman or Jury.

12.3 - Appeals Process: A crew seeking changes to the results or the removal of a penalty must do so within 60 minutes following the last boat to finish in the event, by presenting themselves and talking with the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is located in the Control Commission area.

12.4 - Hot Seating: The Head of the Hooch does not have “hot seating” in the traditional sense and changing a crew in a boat on the water is prohibited. When in the finish area, crews will show referees on the water a designated card (see below). Crews with the priority docking card will receive an expedited approach to the recovery dock, provided there is a safe path to do so as determined by the referees. The crew must then take the boat out of the water and move to the designated area to swap crews by the river pier. The new crew taking control of the boat will pick up the boat and join the queue for boats going onto the racecourse from the launch dock. Crews will not change rowers, or relaunch from the recovery dock.

12.4.1 - Important: Crews with short windows between their races must pick up a priority docking card at control commission prior to their first race. The crew should display the card in a visible fashion for the finish marshal and the dock master as they queue for and approach the recovery dock.

12.4.2 - Priority docking cards may be used for equipment, coxswains, or rowers as needed. In the case of swapping rowers, the boat will not be allowed onto the launch dock until the entire crew and coxswain are present.

12.4.3 - Reduced recovering times are not guaranteed and launching for an event after its cutoff (Rule 8.5) will be enforced even if you have a priority docking card. Should the Hooch have to operate under a condensed or reduced schedule for any reason, you may no longer be able to hot seat between events.