Head of the Hooch
Encyclopedia
The Head of the Hooch Regatta, previously known as the Head of the Chattahoochee Regatta, is a 2-day rowing
regatta held annually on the first full (Saturday and Sunday in the same month) weekend in November in Chattanooga, Tennessee
. The head race
is currently run downstream on a three mile course on the Tennessee River
. It presently ranks as the second largest rowing regatta in the United States with over 9000 rowers and nearly 2000 boats entered for the 2011 event. More than 1200 of the boats race on Saturday alone, more than any other US regatta on a single day.
The event is currently co-hosted by the Atlanta Rowing Club
and the Lookout Rowing Club. The St. Andrews Rowing Club is also a major partner providing assistance with the set up and operation of the regatta. The Hooch organization is 100% volunteers, with no paid staff.
The Hooch has been recognized as one of most laid back and hospitable regattas in the country by Rowing News Magazine.
Competitors each year come from over 30 of the United States and several foreign countries. The athletes’ ages span from high school crews to adult masters rowers aged 70 and above. The regatta runs a comprehensive list of events with men's, women's, and mixed boats in youth (high school), novice, college and club, varsity collegiate, championship, and masters categories.
organized a head race on the Chattahoochee River
, in front of their boathouse in Roswell, Georgia
. The first race hosted only 105 boats. As word spread the regatta drew increasing numbers of rowers each year to the beautiful Roswell, GA venue on the Chattahoochee River. By 1998 almost 500 boats raced in one day. The wait at the docks to launch and recover was becoming too long and trailers were stacked up in the park and on both sides of the adjacent Azalea Drive for more than a half-mile. Clearly the regatta had outgrown the site.
In November 1997, the regatta moved from Roswell, GA to the 1996 Olympic rowing venue in Gainesville, Georgia
. Following the move, the number of boats raced at the Hooch grew annually by 15-20%. While the Olympic Venue was and is an exceptional racecourse, by 2004 Hooch regatta attendance was overwhelming available hotel and restaurant facilities in the nearby town of Gainesville, GA. In 2004, over 1000 boats raced and the regatta began looking for alternate venues to accommodate further growth.
At the same time, Chattanooga, Tennessee had just completed a $120 million renovation of their downtown waterfront area, designed to accommodate events with large numbers of participants and spectators. The Head of the Chattahoochee committee approached Lookout Rowing Club, local to Chattanooga, along with the City of Chattanooga, to explore the prospect of conducting the regatta there on the Tennessee River. In 2005, the "Head of the Chattahoochee Regatta" changed its name to "Head of the Hooch Regatta", and held the event for the first time in Chattanooga. The new venue was an instant success. The appeal and convenience of a regatta in the downtown area of a city like Chattanooga was undeniable. Rowers and spectators could walk from the venue to hotels and restaurants. In addition, the city offered many nearby attractions for the non-rowing members of the family.
The 2011 Hooch expects to race 1800 to 2000 boats in two days. The Hooch currently ranks as the second largest head race (in number of boats raced) in North America, right behind the Head of the Charles in Cambridge
, Massachusetts
affiliate serving their local community in the fight against breast cancer. Fundraising also takes place during the regatta, with special women’s races labeled as Row for the Cure® events. Tens of thousands of dollars are raised each year.
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
regatta held annually on the first full (Saturday and Sunday in the same month) weekend in November in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
. The head race
Head race
A head race is a time-trial competition in the sport of rowing, also known as crew to a few USA organizations. Head races are typically held in the fall and spring seasons. These events draw many athletes as well as observers...
is currently run downstream on a three mile course on the Tennessee River
Tennessee River
The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River. It is approximately 652 miles long and is located in the southeastern United States in the Tennessee Valley. The river was once popularly known as the Cherokee River, among other names...
. It presently ranks as the second largest rowing regatta in the United States with over 9000 rowers and nearly 2000 boats entered for the 2011 event. More than 1200 of the boats race on Saturday alone, more than any other US regatta on a single day.
The event is currently co-hosted by the Atlanta Rowing Club
Atlanta Rowing Club
Atlanta Rowing Club is a non-profit 501 masters rowing club located in Roswell, Georgia. ARC's colors are red and white. As a masters organization, it is the only club in the Atlanta area for rowers who are beyond high school or college age, although there are several members who are in college...
and the Lookout Rowing Club. The St. Andrews Rowing Club is also a major partner providing assistance with the set up and operation of the regatta. The Hooch organization is 100% volunteers, with no paid staff.
The Hooch has been recognized as one of most laid back and hospitable regattas in the country by Rowing News Magazine.
Competitors each year come from over 30 of the United States and several foreign countries. The athletes’ ages span from high school crews to adult masters rowers aged 70 and above. The regatta runs a comprehensive list of events with men's, women's, and mixed boats in youth (high school), novice, college and club, varsity collegiate, championship, and masters categories.
History
In 1981, the Atlanta Rowing ClubAtlanta Rowing Club
Atlanta Rowing Club is a non-profit 501 masters rowing club located in Roswell, Georgia. ARC's colors are red and white. As a masters organization, it is the only club in the Atlanta area for rowers who are beyond high school or college age, although there are several members who are in college...
organized a head race on the Chattahoochee River
Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River flows through or along the borders of the U.S. states of Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. It is a tributary of the Apalachicola River, a relatively short river formed by the confluence of the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers and emptying into Apalachicola Bay in the Gulf of...
, in front of their boathouse in Roswell, Georgia
Roswell, Georgia
Roswell is a city located in northern Fulton County; it is a suburb of northern Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The 2010 Census population was 88,346. It is the eighth largest city in Georgia...
. The first race hosted only 105 boats. As word spread the regatta drew increasing numbers of rowers each year to the beautiful Roswell, GA venue on the Chattahoochee River. By 1998 almost 500 boats raced in one day. The wait at the docks to launch and recover was becoming too long and trailers were stacked up in the park and on both sides of the adjacent Azalea Drive for more than a half-mile. Clearly the regatta had outgrown the site.
In November 1997, the regatta moved from Roswell, GA to the 1996 Olympic rowing venue in Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville, Georgia
-Severe Weather:Gainesville sits on the very fringe of Tornado Alley, a region of the United States where severe weather is common. Supercell thunderstorms can sweep through any time between March and November, but are concentrated most in the spring...
. Following the move, the number of boats raced at the Hooch grew annually by 15-20%. While the Olympic Venue was and is an exceptional racecourse, by 2004 Hooch regatta attendance was overwhelming available hotel and restaurant facilities in the nearby town of Gainesville, GA. In 2004, over 1000 boats raced and the regatta began looking for alternate venues to accommodate further growth.
At the same time, Chattanooga, Tennessee had just completed a $120 million renovation of their downtown waterfront area, designed to accommodate events with large numbers of participants and spectators. The Head of the Chattahoochee committee approached Lookout Rowing Club, local to Chattanooga, along with the City of Chattanooga, to explore the prospect of conducting the regatta there on the Tennessee River. In 2005, the "Head of the Chattahoochee Regatta" changed its name to "Head of the Hooch Regatta", and held the event for the first time in Chattanooga. The new venue was an instant success. The appeal and convenience of a regatta in the downtown area of a city like Chattanooga was undeniable. Rowers and spectators could walk from the venue to hotels and restaurants. In addition, the city offered many nearby attractions for the non-rowing members of the family.
The 2011 Hooch expects to race 1800 to 2000 boats in two days. The Hooch currently ranks as the second largest head race (in number of boats raced) in North America, right behind the Head of the Charles in Cambridge
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
Row for the Cure
Every team attending the Hooch is encouraged to hold a Row for the Cure® fundraiser prior to the Hooch. Each team can raise money for the Komen for the CureSusan G. Komen for the Cure
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, often referred to as simply Komen, is the most widely known, largest and best-funded breast cancer organization in the US....
affiliate serving their local community in the fight against breast cancer. Fundraising also takes place during the regatta, with special women’s races labeled as Row for the Cure® events. Tens of thousands of dollars are raised each year.