Head of the Hooch

10/08/2026

Happy Thursday!

Chattanooga will remain the host of one of the largest rowing regattas in the nation for the foreseeable future.

10/08/2026

Big news! Head of the H***h will remain in Chattanooga! 🚣‍♀️

For 22 years, this waterfront has been home to the H***h, and we are proud to continue that story here.

The success of the H***h has always rested on the dedication of the people who make it possible: our rowers, coaches, volunteers, officials, sponsors, and partners, along with a community that has consistently spoken up for this event.

When the future of the H***h was uncertain, you showed up. You shared your stories, wrote emails, spoke with your neighbours, tagged your teams, and made it clear what this regatta means to you, and why keeping it in Chattanooga matters. It's your voice that made the difference.

After thoughtful discussion, the Friends of the H***h Board has decided to remain in Chattanooga. We have received the assurances we needed from the city's leadership, along with meaningful commitments regarding the waterfront's development and direct, personal collaboration with the leaders of those efforts.

Of course, none of this would be possible without partners across our community who came together when we needed it the most.

We are so grateful for former Mayor and Senator Bob Corker and Ward Davenport, who have been integral in these discussions, and Richard Hardin, owner of the Stone Cup Cafe, who generously stepped forward and offered his unwavering support.

"My engagement with Kerry and her board has been energizing and rewarding as our two teams diligently produced this outcome. The H***h is an incredible event and its best days are ahead."

Bob Corker, former Mayor and Senator

"It's been really encouraging to watch a public-private partnership evolve and build synergy. It boils down to open communication and will. Everyone at the table saw each resident as a stakeholder, as they should. My hope is that discussions continue between the City, the H***h, and other event organizers so that both the North and South shores become venues for anything imaginable. The city as a whole won today!"

Richard Hardin, Owner, Stone Cup Cafe

The riverfront will take on a new look in the years ahead, with some changes as well as new opportunities for expansion. We will share more details as they are confirmed, and we are confident this community is well placed to navigate the changes together.

To our rowers and coaches, thank you for making your love for this event known. To our volunteers, thank you for the countless hours you give so that race weekend runs as smoothly as it does. To our sponsors and partners, thank you for believing in the H***h. And to the Chattanooga residents, business owners, and city leaders who took the time to listen and work with us, thank you for helping make this possible!

We look forward to seeing you in Chattanooga in one month to deliver the best H***h yet and begin planning for the future.

📅 Mark your calendars: Nov 7-8

***h

10/06/2026

Does your club or organization have a special project or need that lacks the funding to make it happen? Friends of the H***h is here to help 🚣

H***h Helps is the charitable grant program of Friends of the H***h, the 501(c)(3) born out of the community spirit behind the Head of the H***h regatta.

Grants are awarded in three categories: Junior, Collegiate, and Masters. Any 501(c)(3) rowing-related organization is eligible, so clubs, teams, coaching programs, and other rowing-focused groups are all welcome to apply.

✅ Any 501(c)(3) rowing organization is eligible
📅 Applications, completed projects, and photos due October 15, 2026

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

Webiste: https://headofthehooch.org/hoochhelps

10/04/2026

Today's the day! Registration for Head of the H***h closes tonight at 11:59 PM EST. ⏰

If your crew is planning to race on the Tennessee River this year, don't wait until the final hour. Get your entries in now so you're not scrambling (or refreshing the page) at 11:58.

Head to regattacentral.com to register!

See you in Chattanooga! 🚣‍♀️🚣

***h

09/30/2026

Big news for our youth athletes! 🚨

Head of the H***h (November 7 to 8) is USRowing's designated High Performance Pathways fall regatta for the South/Central region. Racing the 1x or 2- in the U19 or collegiate categories? You could earn an automatic invitation to a USRowing HP Winter Camp.

⏰ Registration closes October 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Register ASAP!

Who's eligible?
U19: born 2009 or later
U23: born 2005 or later

In the pair, age eligibility is assessed individually, so an age-eligible athlete can still earn an invitation if their partner isn't.

How do invitations work -> minimums, based on field size

30+ entries: top three age-eligible finishers overall
20 to 29 entries: top two
5 to 19 entries: top age-eligible athlete or crew
Under 5 entries: no automatic invitation, but Pathways coaches will still review results

Additional invitations may be extended based on the depth and quality of the field.

The camps (Chula Vista, CA)
U23: December 15 to 19
U19: January 22 to 25 and February 5 to 8

📝 Don't wait. Registration closes October 4 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Learn more: https://usrowing.org/news/usrowing-announces-fall-racing-opportunities-for-2026-27-pathways-hp-winter-camps

***h

09/30/2026

⏰ Last call! Today is the final day to submit your Clean Water Initiative hours. 💧

If your team has spent time cleaning up a local waterway, now's the time to claim your registration discount. Log 50+ total team hours for 15% off all your entries, or earn a per-seat discount based on the hours you put in.

To submit:
📸 Post a photo of your clean up and tag
📝 Fill out the Clean Initiative Form

Discounts are applied by the registrar after the lottery, before accepted entries are charged. Thanks to TVA and Friends of the H***h for partnering with us 🚣‍♀️💚

https://headofthehooch.org/sustainability

09/28/2026

Last call, H***h crews! 🚣‍♀️ Registration for Head of the H***h closes Sunday, October 4 at 11:59 pm EST. Get your entries into RegattaCentral before the clock runs out!

Planning to use the Clean Water Initiative discount?

Clean-up submissions are due September 30, so get your hours and photo in first. Tag and send your details to [email protected].

Questions about registering? Reach out to [email protected].

See you soon!

09/25/2026

Does your club or organization have a special project or need that lacks the funding to make it happen? Friends of the H***h is here to help 🚣

H***h Helps is the charitable grant program of Friends of the H***h, the 501(c)(3) born out of the community spirit behind the Head of the H***h regatta.

Grants are awarded in three categories: Junior, Collegiate, and Masters. Any 501(c)(3) rowing-related organization is eligible, so clubs, teams, coaching programs, and other rowing-focused groups are all welcome to apply.

✅ Any 501(c)(3) rowing organization is eligible
📅 Applications, completed projects, and photos due October 15, 2026

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]

Webiste: https://headofthehooch.org/hoochhelps

09/23/2026

Submissions are rolling in for our Clean Water Initiative, and we're kicking things off with the Atlanta Rowing Club! 🌊

This year, Atlanta Rowing Club took part in their 16th annual Sweep the H***h, hosted by the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. For 16 years running, this clean-up has brought volunteers together to pull trash and debris from the river, and ARC showed up to do their part alongside the Riverkeeper's team.

Head of the H***h has partnered with TVA and Friends of the H***h to reward teams and clubs who give back to the waterway. Host your own clean-up or join an event like Sweep the H***h, log your volunteer hours, and your club could earn up to 15% off regatta registration 👀

Here's how it works:
🌿 Host or join a watershed clean-up (any project that improves your home waterway qualifies)
⏱️ Document your hours (volunteers × hours worked)
📸 Tag on Instagram with a photo and submit your hours
💸 Get your discount applied after the lottery, before accepted entries are charged

Submissions are open until September 30, so there's still time to get your club or team involved. Thanks for leading the way, Atlanta Rowing Club!

Learn more at: headofthehooch.org/sustainability