Completed Event: Rowing versus Head of the Oklahoma on October 4, 2025
Final
Rowing
vs Head of the Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma Athletics
Historic Head of the Charles Awaits Rowing
October 19, 2010 | Rowing
Oct. 19, 2010
Norman, Okla. - The University of Oklahoma rowing team has spent hours preparing for its next regatta. This weekend, the team makes its second appearances at the nation's oldest and most prestigious regatta, The Head of the Charles.
"The Head of the Charles is the premiere fall regatta," Head Coach Leeanne Crain said. "Some of the nation's top collegiate programs will be represented, as well as national teams from around the globe."
The Head of the Charles premiered in 1965 on the Charles River, which separates Boston from Cambridge, Mass. The race was established by the Cambridge Boat Club and is modeled after the traditional regattas in England.
The regatta expanded to a two-day event in 1997 and has since exploded in popularity. Since then, it has become the largest two-day regatta in the world, hosting over 8,000 athletes competing in 56 events of all levels over the weekend. The weekend usually draws an average of 300,000 spectators along the river throughout the races.
"It's a great experience for our kids to take part in one of the oldest regattas in the country," Crain added. "This rowing `festival' draws thousands of spectators that line the shores and crowd the bridges along the river."
The course begins at the Boston University's DeWolfe Boathouse and is an upstream race of three miles. Oklahoma entered one varsity eight boat in the women's championship eight race last year. The winners of the races are dubbed the "Head of the Charles" to play on the name of the regatta.
The premiere races of the Head are the championship races at the end of the day. These include the men's and women's championship fours and eights and the championship singles and doubles.
"Last year was the first we had an eight race at the Charles," Crain said. "We finished at the back of the pack in the championship women's eight event. The conditions were pretty challenging- wind, sleet, and snow! I think the team has progressed significantly from last year, so I would expect to have better results this year."
For more information on the Head of the Charles, visit the Head of the Charles website.
Sunday, May 10
Sunday, May 14
Sunday, May 15
Saturday, May 15
