A regatta is a boat race. It doesn't matter if the boats are rowing shells, sailboats, dragon boats, motorboats, speedboats, yachts, gondolas or paddleboats--any race with boats in it is a "regatta."
By that definition, the Head Of The Charles Regatta has often stated itself as "the largest regatta" in the world. Sometimes it is prefaced as "the largest rowing regatta" other times it's been stated HOCR is the "largest 2-day regatta," and many times it's been acknowledged as "the largest regatta in North America."
To the best of our abilities,* we have researched high and low (thanks Google) and have determined the Head Of The Charles is indeed THE largest among all regattas in the world. With more than 1,900 boats competing Regatta weekend--1,052 boats on Saturday 10/17 and 880 on Sunday 10/18)--it's difficult for others to boast bragging rights. It's possible*; but difficult.
Sulkavan Suursoudut in Finland is likely closest with number of athletes, as it claims "almost 8,000" rowers compete at this event, comprised of Viking-style boats each with upwards of 14-rowers per boat plus a cox. Do the math and you can conclude the prestigious "Sulkava Rowing Race" has considerably less than HOCR's 1,900 boats.
Kieler Woche in Germany claims to be the "largest sailing event" in the world with "around 2,000 boats, yachts, dinghies and surfboards." But Keiler Woche in English translates to "Kiel Week"--which means 2,000 boats over the span of seven days. Per day, that translates to about 400 boats--far less than the 880 boats per day that will be competing this Sunday, at the 45th The Head Of The Charles Regatta.
With rowing (i.e., sculling and sweep rowing), there is little dispute that Head Of The Charles is THE largest rowing regatta in the world. To get an idea of the difference in size between HOCR and other rowing regattas, here is a partial list of regattas for comparison...
BOATS | REGATTA | LOCATION |
1,932 | Head Of The Charles | Boston MA |
~1500 | Head of the Fish | Saratoga NY |
~1,300 | Head of the Hooch | Chattanooga TN |
~1,000 | Head of the Schuylkill | Philadelphia PA |
~490 | Head of the Ohio | Pittsburgh PA |
~490 | Head of the River Fours | Thames, London |
~420 | Head of the River | Thames, London |
-Sources: respective regatta websites -Most allow multiple entries |
Each year the Head Of The Charles Regatta stuns audiences, and compels stronger and stronger competition from all over the world. More than 8,800 athletes, coming from 16 countries and 36 states, will flock to row the world-famous Charles River course for this two-day rowing spectacle.
The 45th Head Of The Charles Regatta is the weekend of October 17-18, 2009.
More info at www.hocr.org.
*Admittedly we're not perfect (gasp!) so please let HOCR know if you think there are other events that have more boats than the Head Of The Charles Regatta.
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10/13/2009 7:27:20 AM