Head of the Schuylkill Regatta

The 56th Head of the Schuylkill Regatta will be held October 24-25, 2026. The Regatta’s spirit of inclusion grew along with its size and scope.

The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta welcomes nearly 9,000 competitors, 40,000 spectators, and 350+ volunteers each year. The weekend features races for high school, collegiate, clubs, masters, adaptive, elite and alumni rowers, and a free two-day Fall Festival amidst the backdrop of the beautiful and historic city of Philadelphia. Take the first step to experiencing this 2.5 mile scenic and challen

ging course by registering at regattacentral.com. Competitors in the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta continue a tradition of exceptional fall racing that began more than four decades ago. In 1970, three members of University Barge Club, located in the heart of Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row, launched the idea for a new fall race, transforming the 1000 meter "Graduate Sculls Race" into a head racing format. The aim of 1960 Olympian Lyman Perry, Jay Pattison III, and the late Raul Betancourt, was to offer rowers of all ages congenial autumn competition. In head races, competitors race the clock over a course that is typically two to three miles long, often toward the river’s headwaters. At a time when only elite, college and junior athletes competed in “head” or distance races, the newly established Head of the Schuylkill Regatta emphasized graduate oarsmen and opened racing to newly emerging masters’ and women’s teams. Twelve women entered the first regatta; in 2013, more than 3,200 females competed, and for the first time outnumbered male competitors. Early Regattas hosted dozens of college, high school and masters rowers. The Regatta soon welcomed recreational and adaptive athletes. The first point, or team, trophy was presented to Vesper Boat Club in 2010. Vesper has won the coveted trophy every year since. The name change to The Thomas Eakins Head of the Schuylkill Regatta occurred in 1975. Born in 1844, Thomas Eakins was a Philadelphia painter, whose works include scullers on the Schuylkill River. The Regatta emerged as the world’s largest one-day rowing competition. Its popularity, however, soon exceeded the river’s capacity. In 2008, the format changed to a two-day event. This step expanded racing opportunities for rowers and increased tourism for the Philadelphia region. With the new format the regatta became a 501©3 non-profit organization with an 11-member board of directors and a volunteer corps that exceeds 350 people, many of whom work year-round. In the new two-day format, college crews race on Saturday along with the majority of elite and masters rowers, while high schools, and other elite, masters and veteran rowers reign on Sunday. Elite and Masters events are spread throughout the weekend. Other recent scheduling enhancements include high school and college alumni events and the allowance of competitors to row multiple races. In addition to hosting thousands of competitors, the 2022 Regatta, on Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30, will again welcome an additional 30,000 – 40,000 spectators building on the Regatta’s reputation as one of the nation’s premier events at the location regarded as the home of American rowing. Parents, family, and friends will line the course to cheer the competitors and enjoy The Three Angels Statues Festival Area, named for the Carl Milles sculpture punctuating the river’s east bank. Crews from across the country and around the world, slicing down the course to the finish line, are forever embedded in the rich tradition of Philadelphia’s Fall Festival of rowing, the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. We would love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected] and "like" us on our social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram @hosr1970, and Twitter @the_HOSR.

Photos from Head of the Schuylkill Regatta's post

07/04/2026

Today we honor the enduring spirit of independence and the values that have shaped our nation. As we celebrate this day along the historic Schuylkill River, we’re reminded of the generations of athletes, coaches, volunteers, and supporters who have strengthened our rowing community through dedication, teamwork, and tradition.

From Boathouse Row to every club across the country, we extend our gratitude to you - may this day bring you joy, relaxation, and wonderful moments with your loved ones. Wishing you a safe and memorable 4th of July!

06/14/2026

Philadelphia City Rowing is one of the three finalists for the $50,000 Wawa Hero Award, which will be presented on July 4th. Please support PCR by casting your vote of support. Spread the word to help this life-changing youth program located on Boathouse Row and serving hundreds of Philadelphia students. Thank you for your help!

Voting is easy:
1) Visit https://www.wawa.com/thewawafoundation/focus-and-impact/hero-award.
2) Select PCR as your choice.
3) Enter your email. Voting is limited to once per email address.
4) Click submit!

The Wawa Foundation Hero Award The Wawa Foundation Hero Award honors a non-profit serving Philadelphia by building stronger communities through preserving independence, protecting safety, and inspiring and mentoring youth.

05/30/2026

The call for entries for the 2026 Program Book Cover Contest is now open! Deadline to Submit: Monday, August 3, 2026

For the tenth year, the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta invites artists, photographers and art students in the Philadelphia region to submit original artwork to be used as the cover image for the 2026 Regatta Keepsake Program Book and poster. Show us your work featuring our favorite subjects, rowing, the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row!

This year marks the 56th anniversary of the regatta and, with the help of the talented community of artists in the Greater Philadelphia region, we look forward to celebrating our history, the sport, the iconic river and the future, with the entire rowing community.

For more entry rules and information on how to submit, go to https://hosr.org/2026-cover-art-contest-is-open/

05/10/2026

At the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta, we’re lucky to be surrounded by moms who coach, volunteer, row, organize, and uplift everyone around them.
Thank you for the heart you bring to this river community and beyond. Happy Mother’s Day ❤

Photos from Philadelphia City Rowing's post

02/13/2026

HOSR is proud to partner with Philadelphia City Rowing for the 2026 Philadelphia Indoor Classic and throughout the year!

Since 2009, HOSR has been a dedicated supporter of PCR, helping expand access to rowing for young people across the city. 💙

Learn more and register at philadelphiacityrowing.org/indoorclassic.
⭐️ REMINDER: February 15 is the last day to register for the Philadelphia Indoor Classic! ⭐️ In-person and virtual options!

02/04/2026

Happy National Girls & Women in Sports Day! Confidence, strength and character are gained through sports participation. These girls and women continue to create a pathway for lifelong movement and participation ...rower, coxswain, coach, volunteer, referee, board member, advocate...strong leaders in sport and life.

Richard Edward Dougert Obituary January 23, 2026 - The Donohue Funeral Homes Inc.

01/30/2026

Rich Dougert's time as Chief Referee of the HOSR had a significant impact, and today our Corps continues to emulate his calm, steady, fair, and kind approach. Rich's quiet leadership will live on in the many that he has mentored and helped through the years. He will be missed but never gone.

“My philosophy is straightforward: I prioritize safety and fairness. I want every competitor and coach to know that, whether as a referee or chief, I will always act with the safety of the crews, volunteers, and other officials foremost in mind, and do my best to make sure crews have a level playing field, and that all rules are applied equally and consistently."
https://hosr.org/rich-dougert-a-truly-dedicated-referee/

https://www.donohuefuneralhome.com/obituaries/richard-edward-dougert?fbclid=IwY2xjawPp_i5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeu_v6qTb6YuHVZXfvO3JZfI1gDqelF3T-rE6HLGOIHnvhfZNAhDVTRkTUQjc_aem_8CBCszae4hg0qv1E1tzk9g

Richard Edward Dougert Obituary January 23, 2026 - The Donohue Funeral Homes Inc. View Richard Edward Dougert's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

01/05/2026

The celebration of America’s 250th starts now. Philadelphia is ready for its biggest year yet. Plenty of reasons to Visit Philly - but be sure to save the dates for the 2026 HOSR - October 24 & 25.

What does Philly 2026 look like to you? Create your custom badge at visitphilly.com/badge.

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