Boston and Cambridge are gearing up for the arrival of 8,000 rowers from all over the world! The 42nd annual Head Of The Charles Regatta is the world's largest rowing regatta, with more than 1,600 boats competing oar-to-oar from 16 counties and six continents. Approximately 10% of all competitors are from countries other than the US, coming from as far as China and as close as Canada. Rowers from all points of the world--such as Australia, Italy, South Africa, and Turkey--will be competing with world-class athletes from 40 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.
As many as 250,000 spectators are expected to line the legendary curvaceous three-mile racecourse throughout the weekend of October 21 & 22, 2006. People from all over flock to the Charles River to cheer their alma mater, eat savory food and hear great music from up-and-coming pop acts. Many of the 1,200 volunteers have already been working countless hours to make the Head Of The Charles an enjoyable event for everyone. While Regatta volunteers are mostly local, some travel to Boston from as far as California to volunteer at this prestigious event.
The Head Of The Charles Regatta is one of Greater Boston’s biggest annual gatherings of international athletes. Rowing legends--such as Jane Rumball and Darcy Marquardt of Canada, Sophie Balmary of France, Gabriella Bascelli of Italy, Santiago Fernandez of Argentina, and defending World and Head Of The Charles Champion Mahe Drysdale from New Zealand - all will participate in the Championship Singles events at this year’s Regatta. Great Britain is sending a few of their elite crews to the Regatta, including Cambridge University Boat Club and Oxford University Alumni.
The Head Of The Charles makes a major economic mark on area restaurants and retailers, and area hotels sell out months in advance to accommodate the thousands of people who travel to Boston to be part of the Regatta. A 2005 study by McKinsey & Company reveals the Head Of The Charles infuses as much as $24-million to the area by out-of-state visitors; the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts benefits as the state collects an estimated $2 to $3-million in tax revenues attributed to Regatta competitors, spectators, and volunteers.
William MacDougall, president and CEO of Tourism Massachusetts says "The Head Of The Charles Regatta is a significant international event that gains global attention to Massachusetts. This type of event is important in the branding of the State as a world-class destination."
Head Of The Charles Regatta--which is always scheduled annually on the next-to-last weekend each October--is indeed "the mecca" for hundreds of thousands of rowers and fans.
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