BOSTON – The Boston University men's, women's openweight, and women's lightweight rowing programs are prepared to compete at the 60th Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) this weekend. In total, the teams will have 13 crews featuring current student-athletes, and 20 total boats with BU representation, traverse the three-mile course along the Charles River from Oct. 17-19, with the Terriers' DeWolfe Boathouse once again serving as the official start line.
 
Since its inception in 1965, the Head of the Charles Regatta annually attracts more than 11,000 athletes competing in more than 2,000 boats to the banks of the Charles River. This year features 74 events, beginning with the Senior/Grand Veteran Singles on Friday (Oct. 17) at 7:45 a.m. For a map of where to watch along the course, click here.

MEN'S ROWING

BU Men's Rowing seeks a strong start to the 2025-26 academic year following a 14th-place finish at the IRA National Championship Regatta back in June. Senior Grant Gwadz, a 2025 Empacher-IRCA All-American, and junior Jan Koska are team captains for the 2025-26 campaign. The Terriers also welcome 14 newcomers to the team.
 
For this year's Head of the Charles, BU launches a Club 4+ and two Club 8+ crews on Saturday (Oct. 18) while a pair of Championship 8+ boats compete on Sunday (Oct. 19). Last season, the Terriers placed fourth among collegiate crews in the Club 4+ while its top Club 8+ was sixth overall. The Championship 8+ and 4+ placed 13th and 14th, respectively.

"We are excited about our crews racing this weekend. It is the largest number of boats that we have entered in many years and I hope this will show the strength of our squad," said Bohrer. "It is a quick turn-around from the start of first practice and 6 weeks later racing, and we have been encouraged on how the squad is progressing. I am looking forward to see them race.
 
"It is always a big event at DeWolfe Boathouse since it is the start of the race which always brings a lot of energy as boats cross the start. We have a large number of alumni coming back to DeWolfe and reconnecting, as well as number of alumni racing and still being involved with the sport after many years of graduating. Lastly, it is exciting for our current team members see all the alumni and families at the boathouse to cheer them on and wanting them to do well."
 
WOMEN'S ROWING
 
BU women's rowing is fresh off its second consecutive and fourth overall Patriot League Championship. The Terriers took first in the Varsity 8+, Varsity 4+ and Second Varsity 4+ races on their way to the championship. The Varsity 8+ was named the Patriot League Boat of the Year and director of women's rowing Malcolm Doldron was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year. At the NCAA Championships, BU finished 20th overall with the Varsity 4+ advancing to the "C" final.
 
The Terriers will launch four boats; the Club Four and Eight race on Saturday (Oct. 18), while the Championship Four and Eight compete Sunday (Oct. 19). In 2024, the Club Fours finished third overall for BU's best finish on the weekend.

"It's incredible for Boston," said Doldron to BU Today. "It's an incredible event for the rowing community. And obviously, it's an incredible event for our program, so we're excited about it. Other than the energy that you get from being close to campus and your friends in the campus community coming out and supporting you, the advantage that you're going to get and the confidence that you're going to get is going to come in your preparation for it. As coaches, what we want to do is bring our team together and build a cohesive unit." 
 
WOMEN'S LIGHTWEIGHT ROWING

The BU lightweight rowing program enters the year coming off another bronze medal at the IRA National Championship Regatta, where Kylie Lough and Cat Clark captured first place in the Lightweight Double. As a team, the Terriers also captured two trophies at the 2025 Knecht Cup and reclaimed possession of the Beanpot. Recent graduates Zoey Goodness and Lulu Smith were tabbed CRCA All-Americans.
 
Four crews hit the water for BU, starting with the Women's Championship Double on Saturday (Oct. 18). In 2024, two Doubles crews were first and second among collegians in the event. On Sunday (Oct. 19), two Lightweight 4+ boats and a Lightweight 8+ travel through the course. The Terriers' 8+ was the fastest collegiate crew and under a second behind the top finisher, while last year's two fours earned top-five results.

"It's always exciting to have the rowing community gather for such a great event and the energy around the river is palpable," said Foster. "Our athletes have been working hard all fall and we're looking forward to a great weekend of racing and celebrating 60 years of the Head of the Charles."

BU HOCR RACE SCHEDULE
Friday (Oct. 17)

• Men's Grand Master/Veteran Singles – 8:33 a.m.
  • Men's Rowing Head Coach Thomas Bohrer – 20:40.020 (13th)
  • Bow 3 – DeWolfe Boatman Russ Cone – 21:37.783 (46th)

Saturday (Oct. 18)

• Men's Grand Master Eights (Alumni) – 9:11 a.m.
  • Bow 16
• Men's Alumni Eights (Alumni) – 10:56 a.m.
  • Bow 8
• Women's Alumnae Eights (Alumni) – 11:15 a.m.
  • Bow 28
• Men's Alumni Fours (Alumni) – 11:44 a.m.
  • Bow 24
• Men's Club Fours – 12:45 p.m.
  • Bow 7
• Women's Club Fours – 1:04 p.m.
  • Bow 3
• Men's Club Eights – 1:30 p.m.
  • "A" Boat – Bow 3
  • "B" Boat – Bow 12
• Women's Club Eights – 1:44 p.m.
  • Bow 20
• Women's Championship Doubles (Lightweight) – 2:12 p.m.
  • Bow 4
• Women's Championship Singles (Alumni) – 2:42 p.m.
  • Bow 17

Sunday (Oct. 19)

• Women's Championship Fours – 1:35 p.m.
  • Bow 11
• Women's Lightweight Fours – 1:51 p.m.
  • "A" Boat – Bow 4
  • "B" Boat – Bow 5
• Women's Championship Eights – 2:42 p.m.
  • Bow 16
• Women's Lightweight Eights – 2:52 p.m.
  • Bow 1
• Men's Championship Eights – 3:20 p.m.
  • "A" Boat – Bow 13
  • "B" Boat – Bow 27