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Head of the Schuylkill Regatta

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Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta logo
DateLast Weekend of October
LocationPhiladelphia
Event typeHead Race
Distance2.5 miles (4.0 km)
Primary sponsorNSM Insurance Group
Established1874[1]
Official sitewww.hosr.org
Participants1,543 entries; 230 clubs[2]

The Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill Regatta (also known as the HOSR or the HOS) is a rowing race held annually during the last weekend in October on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3] The HOSR is the final race in the Fall Fury series, which includes the Head of the Ohio and the Head of the Connecticut.[4] Along with the Head of the Charles and the Head of the Connecticut, the HOSR is considered one of the three “fall classics.”[5] The HOSR is one of the marquee races in the Philadelphia Classic Regatta Series, which also includes the Stotesbury Cup Regatta, the Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Championship, the Schuylkill Navy Regatta, and the Independence Day Regatta.[6]

Regattas such as the Head of the Charles in Boston and the Head of the Schuylkill in Philadelphia are to the rowing world what the New York Marathon and the Boston Marathon are to running.

— Susan Saint Sing, The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew[7]

History

Schuylkill River from race start to finish at Boathouse Row

The HOSR was first held in 1874.[1] The regatta, as it exists now, was founded in 1971 by members of the University Barge Club, Joseph N. “J” Pattison IV and Olympic Rower, Lyman S.A. Perry.[8][9]

Until recently, the event was the largest one-day rowing competition in the world. The HOSR became a two-day event in 2008.[10] It is the largest regatta in Philadelphia.[11] As of 2003, the HOSR was America's second largest regatta.[12]

Format and course

The HOSR is a head race, which is a time-trial competition where boats race in close succession from a rolling start. The rower or crew completing the course in the shortest time in their age, ability and boat-class category is deemed the winner.

The course stretches 2.5 miles (4.0 km) from the start to the finish at Boathouse Row and contains four bridges in total, which appear in this order from the start:

The Columbia Railroad Bridge, is the most difficult part of the course because coxswains must make a sharp turn of nearly ninety degrees.[13]

Coming under the Columbia bridge is like the Weeks [Memorial Bridge] turn at the Charles. You want to be already turning before you get out of the bridge.

— NYAC coxswain Leigh Heyman, Rowing News[4]

There is a dangerous waterfall less than 300 meters from the finish line across from Boathouse Row.[14] The 13-foot Fairmount Water Works Dam stretches 400 meters across Schuylkill.[14] The dam is difficult for coxswains to see because it is so wide, and a rowing shell caught broadside beyond the safety cable would easily be swept over the falls.[14]

Water Works Dam

Competitors

The regatta draws competitors from across the United States and internationally. Competing teams regularly hail from countries including:

Australia[15] Canada[15] France[15] Germany[16]
Great Britain[15] Greece[15] Guatemala[15] Hong Kong[17]
Ireland[18] Mexico[16] Peru[16] Russia[16]

The HOSR is a fall championship regatta for many regional schools.[19] The regatta sets itself apart with an expanded schedule of small boats and a field of quads "deep enough to do justice to Philadelphia’s rich sculling heritage."[19] The Head of the Schuylkill is a self-descried "inclusive regatta."[20] However, it also attracts top world-class athletes. Recent competitors include:

Points Trophies

Since 2010, the HOSR has awarded points trophies in high school, college, open and masters categories for overall all team points and by gender.[23] Only five programs have won the overall points trophy:[24]

Overall

College

Open

Masters

High School

  • Saugatuck Rowing Association (2012-2013)
  • Connecticut Boat Club (2010-2011)

By gender

Year College Women College Men Masters Women Masters Men Open Women Open Men High School Women High school Men Ref.
2010 Holy Cross/Trinity Drexel Vesper Malta Penn AC Penn AC Connecticut St. Joe's Prep [26]
2011 Drexel/Villanova Drexel/Princeton Vesper Potomac/Malta Vesper Penn AC Connecticut St. Joe's Prep/Crescent [26]
2012 Michigan State Princeton Vesper Fairmount/Malta Vesper Malta/Potomac/Vesper Saugatuck Crescent [26]
2013 Old Dominion/Drexel Drexel Vesper University Vesper Penn AC Sagamore Norwalk River [27]

References

  1. ^ a b Ferris, William R. (2004). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Regional Cultures: The Mid-Atlantic Region. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 391. ISBN 9780313332661. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  2. ^ "Head of the Schuylkill Regatta". Regatta Central. Oct 27, 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2013.
  3. ^ "Head of the Schuylkill Regatta History and Growth". Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  4. ^ a b Van Allen, Peter (January 2006). "36th Annual Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill". Rowing News. 12 (11): 51. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  5. ^ "Schulten and Müller Complete Fall Domination". Independent Rowing News. 1 (2): 8. November 6, 1994. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  6. ^ O'Brien, Rick (July 08, 2010). "Philadelphia regatta series is established". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, PA: Philly.com. Retrieved November 7, 2013. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Saint Sing, Susan (2010). The Eight: A Season in the Tradition of Harvard Crew. New York, N.Y.: St. Martin's Press. p. 24. ISBN 9780312539238. Retrieved 10 November 2013.
  8. ^ Ujifusa, Steven B. "The Founding of the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta" (PDF). Graphica. p. 8. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  9. ^ "Lyman Perry". SR/Olympic Sports. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  10. ^ Van Allen, Peter. "History of the Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill Regatta" (PDF). Graphica. p. 9. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  11. ^ Herzig, Allison. "Penn Glee Club to open Philadelphia's largest regatta". The Daily Pennsylvanian. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  12. ^ Blackwall, Christopher (December 21, 2003). "Watch Our Back". Rowing News. 10 (18): 12. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  13. ^ "Course Map" (PDF). hosr.org. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  14. ^ a b c "Letter to the Editor". Rowing News. 2 (22): 4. November 1995. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Head of the Schuylkill Regatta". Regatta Central. Oct 27, 2013. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  16. ^ a b c d "Head of the Schuylkill Regatta". Regatta Central. Oct 25, 2003. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  17. ^ "Head of the Schuylkill Regatta". Regatta Central. Oct 28, 2012. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  18. ^ "Head of the Schuylkill Regatta". Regatta Central. Oct 26, 2002. Retrieved 7 November 2013.
  19. ^ a b Winchester, Ed (November 8, 2001). "No Rest in Philly: Philadelphia's Head of the Schuylkill provides another fall racing opportunity". The Independent Rowing News. 8 (18). Chip Davis: 12. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  20. ^ "Sponsorship Opportunities". hosr.org. Retrieved 8 November 2013.
  21. ^ a b McManus, Tim (October 25, 2013). "Veteran pair tackles Head of the Schuylkill Regatta". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, PA: Philly.com. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  22. ^ Narducci, Marc (October 27, 2012). "Olympic gold medalist Esther Lofgren in Head of the Schuylkill Regatta". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, PA: Philly.com. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  23. ^ "41st Annual Head of the Schuylkill Regatta This Weekend Draws Over 5,800 Competitive Rowers". pitchengine.com. October 25, 2011. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  24. ^ "Results". Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. Retrieved 3 November 2013.
  25. ^ "Crew Wins Head of the Schuylkill's Overall Points Title for Fourth Straight Year". Drexel University. October 26, 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  26. ^ a b c "2013 Schedules and Results". hosr.org. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
  27. ^ "2013 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta" (PDF). hosr.org. Retrieved November 6, 2013.
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