Head of the Hooch Regatta Grows to 8,600 Rowers
Organizers Add Festival Events for Spectators
Chattanooga, TN (October 27, 2009) A record 8,600 rowers and coxswains will compete in the 2009 Head of the Hooch on November 7 and 8, 2009, making it the largest in the southeast and the second largest rowing regatta in the country. This marks growth of more than thirty percent over the 2008 Head of the Hooch.
“We’ve got a great place to race here in Chattanooga,”
Organizers have focused on the spectator experience this year. The Chattanooga Market, the region’s largest authentic outdoor local food and artistry market, will be on Riverfront Parkway near the regatta on Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm. Hot air balloon rides (weather permitting, fee required) and a ‘History of Rowing’ booth will be offered near the race in downtown Chattanooga’
The rowing regatta is free to watch with the best viewing from the pedestrian-only Walnut Street Bridge or Ross’s Landing on downtown Chattanooga’
“During peak hours of the weekend-long regatta, boats are launching every twenty seconds, “ said Wolff. “Its quite a spectacle.”
The Head of the Hooch is more than seventy-five percent high school and college aged rowers and also features top level masters competitors. This year teams will come from thirty states and Canada.
$4.3M Economic Impact
Chattanooga was voted the “Best Town for a Race”, by Rowing News readers over Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle and Oklahoma City. The twenty-nine year old regatta outgrew its Georgia venues and moved to the Tennessee River in 2004 were the event has grown every year since.
More than 12,000 people are expected to attend the event, creating a $4.3+ million economic impact for the city.
“The Head of the Hooch has a multi-million dollar impact on our city,” said Bob Doak, CEO Chattanooga Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is one of many events attracted by the revitalization that fills our restaurants and hotels.”
More Women than Men Rowing for First Time
For the first time in the 29-year history of the Head of the Hooch, more women than men will be rowing.
“For centuries rowing was almost exclusively a men’s sport,” said Daniel Wolff, Head of the Hooch Regatta Director. “We’
The number of women participating in the Head of the Hooch has consistently risen over the years. At its start in the early 1980’s, only ten percent of the 300 participants were women. In 2008, 49.2% were women. 2009 marks the first year more women are competing with 53.1% of registered participants.
The Head of the Hooch features four ‘Row for the Cure’ events, which includes 870+ women rowing in pink T-shirts creating a “Sea of Pink” on the river. Proceeds from the sponsorship of these four races, the Learn to Row event and hot-air balloon rides, will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Head of the Hooch has sponsored southeast regional events raising more than $50,000 for the fight against cancer.
For more info visit www.headofthehooch.org.
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