Commotion filled the Cambridge Boat House as Penn and Wesleyan made contact after the Eliot Bridge during the Men’s Collegiate Eights. Wesleyan was crossing under the bridge as Penn was completing a diagonal turn, with both teams’ oars making contact and Penn briefly stopping to get untangled.

—Jordan Pagkalinawan

An upset unfolded at Anderson Bridge as Trinity’s women’s collegiate eight caught a crab, tangling with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy crew under the bridge.

In rowing, a “crab” occurs when a rower’s oar gets caught awkwardly in the water, disrupting the stroke and sometimes even tossing the rower off balance. Crabs happen when the oar goes too deep into the water, creating too much resistance for the rower to control.

The incident followed a long battle between crews. Coming out of the Powerhouse Stretch, three boats — U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Wellesley, and Trinity — were neck and neck, going under Weeks Bridge side by side. The three boats continued to battle in the open stretch between Weeks and Anderson bridges, with none giving way.

While Weeks is wide enough for three boats to narrowly pass beneath at once, Anderson is not. As the boats approached, Wellesley, which had taken the outside course near the Cambridge side, cut inward toward the other two crews to avoid the bridge’s pillars. The move disrupted Trinity’s line, and in the scuffle, the stroke seat caught an “over-the-head crab,” stopping the boat completely as the rower worked to recover the oar. During the confusion, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy crew became entangled with Trinity’s oars, creating a cluster as both teams struggled to regain rhythm.

For one of the most competitive races, events like this are common as boats struggle for the best course. The incident will likely result in penalty times issued by race umpires, who will assess which crew, if any, was at fault.

–Iselin Bratz

The third and final day of the Head of the Charles Regatta is upon us, with 29 races scheduled for Sunday, blanketed by cool and cloudy weather. Youth races began at 7:45 this morning and will run through just after 12 p.m.

Among the key races to watch are the men’s and women’s championship fours (1:05 and 1:35 p.m., respectively), as well as the championship eight races (women at 2:42 and men at 3:28). Lightweight and collegiate races will also occur throughout the afternoon, as will Directors’ Challenge races for men’s and women’s quads, parent/child doubles, and the mixed eight.

—Jordan Pagkalinawan

Men’s Championship Doubles

1. Philip Doyle (BBC), Fintan Mccarthy (SRC) (BBC/SRC – Composite) – 16:07.221
2. Waikato – Karl Manson, Robert Manson – 36 (WRC) –  16:22.202
3. Jamie Copus (OXB), Kevin Cardno (PENNAC) (Penn AC) – 16:22.728

Full results here.

Women’s Championship Doubles

1. Sophia Calabrese, Sera Busse (Green Racing Projec) – 18:00.609
2. Kristen Siermachesky, Cassidy Deane (RCA High Performance) –  18:13.819
3. Tabea Schendekehl (RCHD), Sarah Wibberen (RCHB) (RCHB/RCHD – Composite) – 18:25.834

Full results here.

Men’s Championship Singles

1. Finn Hamill (Waikato) – 17:04.528
2. Martin Sinkovic (HAVK Mlados) – 17:16.969
3. Sam Melvin (New York AC) – 17:17.899

Full results here.

Men’s Lightweight Singles

1. Justin Schmidt (Conshohocken) – 17:58.896
2. Sean Richardson (Riverside) – 18:08.707
3. John Mannion (Riverside) – 18:24.575

Full results here.

Women’s Championship Singles

1. Karolien Florjin (A.S.R. Nereus) – 18:42.013
2. Michelle Sechser (USTC – Princeton) – 18:43.556
3. Emily Kallfelz (Cambridge)  -18:52.218

Full results here.

Women’s Lightweight Singles

1. Elizabeth Martin (Riverside) – 19:48.438
2. Clíodhna Nolan (Carlow) – 20:19.189
3. Bente van Kernebeek (Triton) –  20:24.184

Full results here.

Men’s Alumni Eights

1. Brown Alumni ‘A’ – 14:21.595
2. Old Dog ‘A’ – 14:48.018
3. Ever Green ‘A’ – 14:51.826

Full results here.

Women’s Alumnae Eights

1. Longhorn Legends ‘A’ – 15:47.932
2. Crabtree ‘B – 15:54.463
3. UW Alum ‘A’ – 16:09.505

Full results here.

Men’s Alumni Fours

1. Brock RC ‘A’ – 16:32.985
2. BMA ‘A’ – 16:36.668
3. MIT Grad ‘A’ – 16:53.897

Full results here.

Women’s Alumnae Fours

1. Brown Women ‘A’ – 18:25.938
2. UND-Alumni ‘A’ – 18:45.026
3. MIT Grad ‘A’ – 19:02.203

Full results here.

Men’s Club Fours

1. Calgary RC ‘A’ – 16:16.159
2. Dartmouth ‘A’ – 16:30.015
3. Riverside ‘A’ – 16:32.177

Full results here.

Women’s Club Fours

1. Kansas ‘B’ – 18:05.254
2. Columbia University ‘A’ – 18:11.859
3. Cornell University ‘A’ – 8:12.169

Full results here.

Men’s Club Eights

1. Dartmouth ‘A’ – 14:21.861
2. Brown ‘A’ – 14:24.977
3. Harvard U ‘A’ – 14:25.235

Full results here.

Women’s Club Eights

1. Yale ‘A’ – 16:14.664
2. Dartmouth ‘A’ –  16:15.112
3. Radcliffe ‘A’ – 16:28.640

Full results here.

With races underway, Herter Park began to fill up throughout the morning and early afternoon today as colleges from across the country arrived in anticipation of tomorrow’s collegiate events.

While some events today had collegiate teams, much of the competitive races for universities will be tomorrow afternoon. Starting at 1:00 p.m., the river will see the top collegiate boats race it out on the water to see who is the best. These events will run all day until about 4:00 p.m.

For many colleges, this will not be the most competitive race of the season, with other collegiate-specific races being higher determinants for team standing. However, with the HOCR being one of the most famous races in the United States, bragging rights here are lasting. It is also one of the most well-attended spectator events, which adds to the excitement of the day.

Charlie Anderson, assistant coach for Colby College men’s and women’s rowing, has been to the regatta both as a coach, this year being his first, and as a rower. He said that there is a special energy on the course because of the crowd.

“It’s cool to have the crowds and see how many people come out for it, how many events there are, how many people there are,” Anderson said. “Just feeling that energy and letting that carry you own the course.”

Teams who do not call the Charles River their home have an added challenge of navigating the unfamiliar river. The regatta is notorious for its difficult course, sporting many harsh turns and bridges. Anderson says it’s as much about rowing well as it is about placing well, and that the two are not always aligned.

“The results are important, but the results don’t always tell the whole story, especially with The Charles and how much of a crapshoot it can be,” said Anderson.

For Colby, a private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine, the goal is to keep the rowers’ focus on themselves and their rowing.

“There’s gonna be moments when the boat feels really good during the race and there’s gonna be moments where it doesn’t,” said Anderson. “Being able to string together more of those good moments and taking the bad strokes and bad moments in stride [is important].”

–Iselin Bratz

Bestselling author and rower Arshay Cooper spoke at the USRowing tent ahead of the recent publication of his new book, “Let Me Be Real with You.” Cooper addressed an intimate yet attentive crowd about his book, his story, and his mission.

Cooper, best known for his bestselling memoir ”A Most Beautiful Thing,” shared the true story of how he and his peers became the first all-Black high school rowing team in the United States, rising from Chicago’s West Side to transform their lives and the sport itself. The book resonated far beyond rowing for its powerful themes of identity, resilience, and mentorship.

In his new release, ”Let Me Be Real with You,” Cooper blends memoir and motivation, reflecting on his journey from adversity to international recognition while introducing eight tenets of wellness — mental, physical, environmental, vocational, financial, intellectual, social, and spiritual. More than a personal story, it serves as a guide for readers to unlearn limiting beliefs, embrace self-care, and create meaningful change in their own lives and communities.

Rowing has long been regarded as one of the most privileged sports in America, shaped by deep socioeconomic and racial divides. Participation often requires access to expensive equipment, private coaching, and travel for regattas — costs that can total thousands of dollars annually. Most rowing programs are based in affluent suburban or private schools and elite universities, limiting opportunities for students from lower-income or urban communities. As a result, the sport remains predominantly white and upper middle class, with little representation from marginalized groups.

However, initiatives and voices like those of Arshay Cooper are beginning to challenge that image, pushing the sport toward greater diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. Hudson Boat Works, one of the biggest boat builders in the rowing world, recently committed to donating 17 racing shells valued at approximately $335,000 to eight rowing programs in 2025 through the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund (AMBTIF). The AMBTIF, inspired by Cooper’s book, works to increase access, equipment, and representation in rowing programs that have been historically underserved.

When discussing how to open up spaces like rowing for more people, Cooper said it must be a concerted effort to reach out to others.

“We can’t call people out. We have to call people in,” Cooper said.

–Iselin Bratz

The second day of racing kicked off this morning bright and early at 7:45. Today is the busiest day of racing, with 37 events compared to yesterday’s eight and tomorrow’s 29.

Despite the usual brisk weather spotted by Boston in October, today’s races have had the luxury of temperate conditions. With the sun shining and minimal wind even going into the afternoon, racers should be set up well.

Collegiate rowers will be making their appearance today, with many of the afternoon races seeing boats from universities and colleges from across the country. Many of these events will occur after 12:30, starting with the club events beginning at 12:45 with the Men’s Club Fours. Local teams in these events will include Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College, University of Massachusetts, Simmons, Northeastern, and Tufts.

Additionally, alumni teams from Northeastern, MIT, Tufts, UMass, and BU will be battling it out after 10:45 a.m. These will be kicked off with the Men’s Alumni Eights racing at 10:56.

Other races to look out for today will be the championship and lightweight singles and doubles events, which will be running with start times from 2:03 to 2:48. These events usually highlight competitive rowers who have either achieved or hope to achieve national status. As a result, the margins between hosts are particularly close. Rowers in these events are usually extra reluctant to give up ground, leading to heated battles on the water.

–Iselin Bratz

Men’s Senior Veteran/Grand Veteran Singles

1. James Crawford (Ever Green) – 21:23.565
2. Stan Vegar (San Diego RC) – 21:49.213
3. Richard Anderson (Northview) – 22:01.615

Full results here.

Women’s Senior-Veteran/Grand Veteran Singles

1. Paula Meyer (GMS Rowing) – 24:21.978
2. Dorothy Atwood (Station L) – 24:34.101
3. Mary Fran Grossman (Duxbury Bay Maritime School) – 25:19.858

Full results here.

Men’s Grand Master/Veteran Singles

1. Gregory Benning (Cambridge) – 19:06.689
2. Geoffrey Hoffman (Maritime Rowing Club) – 19:46.963
3. David Deschenes (unaffiliated – USA) – 19:47.065

Full results here.

Women’s Grand Master/Veteran Singles

1. Pamela Neuharth (Rio Salado) – 22:10.511
2. Racheal Perry (Dolphin) – 22:28.286
3. Olwen Huxley (Riverside) – 22:32.998

Full results here.

Women’s Grand Master Doubles

1. Megan Gradek and Melissa Pearlstein (College Club Seattle) – 11:29.958
2. Christine Collins and Bethany Grant (Cambridge) – 11:30.445
3. Joanna and Lauren Rubini (Alexandria) – 11:38.849

Full results here.

Women’s Veteran Doubles

1. Elizabeth Pratt and Patricia Smith (unaffiliated, USA) – 20:45.825
2. Linda Muri and Lindsay Burns (TRC/UVRF – Composite) – 20:46.189
3. Candace Fuchs and Charlotte Hollings (Blood Street Sculls) – 21:18.457

Full results here.

Men’s Grand Master Doubles

1. Christian Moelvig and Klaus Rasmussen (Antares) – 17:55.987
2. Guy Blanchard and Christopher Ware (CCRC/RRBC – Composite) – 17:58.480
3. David Gillard and Tom Middleton (Molesey) – 18:07.219

Full results here.

Men’s Veteran Doubles

1. Dan Gorriaran and Michael Smith (Cambridge) – 18:54.451
2. Michael Totta and John Tunnicliffe (Maine Coast Rowing) – 18:54.881
3. Dale Hoxie and Thomas Stottlemyer (Noank) – 19:12.683

Full results here.

The regatta’s official YouTube page, carrying livestreams from The Rowing Channel, has five cameras set up along the course:.Cambridge, Weld, DeWolfe, Herter Park and Riverside.

The channel will also stream today’s awards ceremony, which is scheduled for 2 p.m.

—Jordan Pagkalinawan

Melodic singing drifted over the Charles River this morning as the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta began. For a fleeting moment, soprano Hanna Shanefield’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” brought peace to the river — still and calm — until the first oars broke the surface at 7:45, sending ripples through the morning quiet.

Friday’s races featured the masters events, both men’s and women’s, with ages ranging from 50s to 90s depending on the race. All events today are sculling, meaning two oars per person, and are small boats with one to two people per shell. The events have the joy of showcasing some of the rowing world’s icons, including one of the races founders D’Arcy MacMahon. Whether through coaching or competing, many of the athletes were familiar faces on the water.

With age comes a wealth of experience. Many competitors are longtime friends of the river, having rowed for 70 years or more. They are no strangers to victory at the Head of the Charles, such as Michael Hindery, racing in the Men’s Senior Veteran/Grand Veteran Singles event. A five-time Head of the Charles gold medalist, Hindery returned to the regatta after a 30-year hiatus. Some rowers have participated since the race’s inception in 1965, making the 60th anniversary all the more meaningful.

“Rowing is truly a lifelong sport,” the regatta broadcasters announced.

With such strong competition, margins between rowers were tight as boats vied for the best course, or the “best line,” in rowing terms, while heading down the river. In the struggle, racers had to do their best to avoid collisions. The early morning race time also brought the challenge of sun glare. For rowers passing under the Weeks Footbridge, the rising sun sat just on the horizon, making it difficult to see the course clearly.

Despite high wind reports, the morning races had relatively good conditions. For much of the stretch, the water did not get too rough, manageable for the singles that are shooting down the course.

The Head of the Charles Regatta was the first of its kind in North America. Now the world’s largest three-day rowing event, it was founded by Cambridge Boat Club members MacMahon, Howard McIntyre and Jack Vincent. 

The idea came from Ernest Arlett, then coach at Northeastern. Arlett proposed a “head of the river” race based on the style of races in England, where he was born and raised. “Head” races are typically about three miles long. Rather than starting all at once, boats race against the clock, beginning sequentially about 15 seconds apart. Winners of each event earn the honorary title “Head of the River” or, in this case, “Head of the Charles.”