Coaches & Coxswains

The 2024 Head of the Hooch® regatta will have a virtual C&C meeting:

Monday, October 28th at 7:30p ET.

The meeting will be streamed at Youtube.com/HeadoftheHooch.

 

Due to the number of entries, there are special instructions to coxswains and crews to ensure that the regatta runs on time and safely. Please pay close attention to the instructions provided to you before and during the regatta. We have created special instructions for you to hand out to your team members, they are also below. Additionally, please make sure all coxswains are aware of all the USRowing and Head of the Hooch rules of racing. The full HOTH rules of racing are available here. Please have coxswains pay special attention to sections 8-12.

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

  • Assemble your crew at least 30 minutes before your race is called
  • Place oars near the launch dock scheduled for your race before your race
  • Launch when your race is called to avoid congestion at the docks
  • Move quickly onto and off the dock when Dockmaster give instructions to do so
  • Immediately row away from the dock so that the Tennessee River current does not push your crew back onto the dock

  • Do not delay when rowing to the start area
  • Stay pointed upstream at each buoy station near the start
  • Be at Buoy #1 10-15 minutes before your scheduled race
  • At Buoy #1, be within five bow numbers of the bow numbers around you
  • The Marshal will send groups of 10 boats to the next buoy. All rowers to row on the paddle when instructed
  • Remove warm-up gear before receiving the instruction to move across the river to start
  • You will be instructed to row across the river in groups of five

  • Once across the river, row toward the start chute in numerical order
  • Follow the crew in front of you by about 1 length of open water
  • Crews must speed up or slow down as instructed by the Marshal 200 meters upstream of the start
  • Build to full pressure and race pace prior to the start line
  • Do not catch up with another boat in the start chute
  • Enjoy your race!