Thank you for all your help during the 2025 Head of the Charles Regatta. We hope to see you again in 2026!
Please first read the overview for general information about River Control positions and roles, even if you are experienced and returning to volunteer with us, particularly the “New since 2024” section.
Official practice is open on Friday to all crews and scullers after racing has concluded. For 2025, crews will be permitted to start launching from FALS at 10:30 a.m., as the final morning race starts on the course. No boats will be permitted to launch after 5:00 p.m. and the course closes at 6:00 p.m. on Friday for all crews, even if they’re local (HOCR Rule 8.3.) At 5:30 p.m., we will begin telling all boats that they should return to their landing dock.
There will be NO TURNING ON THE COURSE during practice on Friday. The traffic pattern for crews during practice is a continuous, uninterrupted circuit from and back to their launch point (HOCR Rule 8.4.) A memo will go out to boathouses on the course (primarily Riverside, Weld, Cambridge Boat Club, and Winsor/Belmont Hill) that crews launching from those docks must launch and land in the direction of traffic, i.e. bows to the right on the dock, and may not turn onto the course from the dock or onto the dock from the course.
The only exception to this is the brief period at the very end of racing and the very start of practice when some of the last remaining racing crews may still be heading downstream from the Finish Line and may need to cross, for example at the Newell Boathouse, to return to CBC or BB&N. All practice crews are not permitted to cross at any time and at any point.
This position is in a launch near the start line.
Keep boats moving smoothly at the start. At 5:45 p.m., start telling crews that the course closes at 6:00 p.m., how much practice time is remaining and to proceed to their landing dock.
This position is in a launch patrolling the warm-up lane between BU Bridge and SADL.
Inform crews traveling downstream that there is no turning upstream until the start (RC12). Coordinate with RC21 (pre-2024 RC13) and Riverside/SADL Dock Masters (SADL is on Channel 15) to monitor the safe landing of crews at Riverside/SADL in the same direction as the course (upstream) only: No turning anywhere on the course during practice. At 5:30 p.m., start telling crews that the course closes at 6:00 p.m., how much practice time is remaining and to proceed to their landing dock.
This position is in a launch patrolling the warm-up lane between SADL and River Street Bridge.
Inform crews traveling downstream that there is no turning upstream until the start (RC12). Coordinate with RC20 (pre-2024 RC42) and Riverside/SADL Dock Masters (SADL is on Channel 15) to monitor the safe launching and landing of crews at Riverside/SADL in the same direction as the course (upstream) only: No turning anywhere on the course during practice. At 5:30 p.m., start telling crews that the course closes at 6:00 p.m., how much practice time is remaining and to proceed to their landing dock.
This position is on land, on the Riverside dock.
Coordinate with RC20 (pre-2024 RC42) and SADL Dock Masters (SADL is on Channel 15) to monitor the safe launching and landing of crews at Riverside in the same direction as the course (upstream) only: No turning anywhere on the course during practice. No boats will be permitted to launch after 5:00 p.m.
This is a land position on the downstream side of the Weeks Bridge.
Coordinates: 71.1184°W, 42.36807°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9V9J+6JH
what3words: descended.wooden.name
Keep boats moving through the turn in the travel lane. Prevent crews from turning or crossing between Weeks Bridge and Western Ave Bridge. There is no turning the entire length of the powerhouse stretch. Assist RC33 (pre-2024 RC18) with course control for boats launching from/docking at Weld Boathouse, if necessary.
This is a land position on the upstream side of the Weeks Bridge.
Coordinates: 71.1192°W, 42.36817°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9V9J+787
what3words: handed.venues.limes
Remind coxswains in the travel lane of the upcoming sharp starboard turn. Slow down crews if necessary. Assist RC33 (pre-2024 RC18) with course control for boats launching from/docking at Weld Boathouse, if necessary.
This position is in a launch on the downstream side of Anderson bridge, across from Weld Boathouse.
Keep boats moving in the downstream travel lane. Assist with course control for boats launching from/docking at Weld Boathouse, if necessary. Communicate with RC31 (pre-2024 RC16) regarding traffic through Weeks Bridge and with RC41 (pre-2024 RC19) regarding traffic through Anderson Bridge.
This position is in a launch patrolling the racing lane between Western Ave Bridge and Weeks Bridge. The launch should stay close to the Cambridge shore and to Weeks Bridge, where the river is wide and you will be out of the way of crews practicing their Weeks turn.
Keep boats moving through the upstream racing lane. Try to give each crew a fair shot at practicing the Weeks turn. Prevent crews from turning between Western Ave Bridge and Weeks Bridge. There is no turning the entire length of the powerhouse stretch. Assist RC32 (pre-2024 RC18) with course control for boats launching from/docking at Weld Boathouse, if necessary.
This position is in a launch patrolling the racing lane between the River St Bridge and the Western Ave Bridge. The launch should be positioned close to the Cambridge shore (racing side, by the wall) near the 1-Mile mark, where you will be out of the way of crews practicing their powerhouse stretch.
Keep boats moving upstream through the powerhouse stretch. Try to give each crew a fair shot at practicing the Weeks turn. Prevent crews from turning between the Weeks Bridge and Riverside B.C. There is no turning the entire length of the powerhouse stretch.
A Google map summarizing approximate locations of the River Control positions along the Eliot turn (described below) is available here.
We also provide locations for several positions by geographic coordinates (links to Google Maps), Plus Codes and what3words, including recent photographs, to facilitate finding a spot that we have previously determined is a good lookout point with reasonable visibility. Just click on a link to open a map with the recommended location marked.
This position is on land, on the Cambridge shore, opposite RC41 (pre-2024 RC19) and the Newell Boathouse dock. You must be clearly visible to crews on the water.
Coordinates: 71.12449°W, 42.37116°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VCG+F66
what3words: scar.rating.marker
Communicate with RC41 (pre-2024 RC19) to receive racing crews crossing to return to CBC and BB&N boathouses. Only the last remaining boats returning from the Finish Line after their Friday morning race (i.e. boats with racing event bow number cards) and needing to land at CBC or BB&N are permitted to cross at Newell once practice has started. (All other crews must proceed around the complete circuit downstream in the travel lane and upstream along course without crossing throughout practice.) Ensure that any last crossing crews are able to see you clearly and instruct them to quickly turn parallel to the shore, then proceed carefully along the Cambridge shore towards their boathouse. They must stay fully within the return lane buoys (green buoys will be on their port side) at all times. Oars must not cross the green buoys and they must not interfere with practice traffic.
Have and use binoculars to monitor for any shells that are moving slowly or otherwise causing a backlog between the Newell Boathouse, at RC41 (pre-2024 RC19), and where the river widens upstream of the Newell Boathouse, at RC42 (pre-2024 RC23). Identify and report any choke points or backlogs to RC41 (pre-2024 RC19) and RC42 (pre-2024 RC23) on the Boston side to get traffic flowing smoothly again quickly because they cannot see everything along the inside of the bend so clearly.
This position is in a launch on the upstream side of the Newell Boathouse dock.
Keep boats moving in the downstream travel lane. Facilitate safe crossing of racing crews returning to the CBC, BB&N, Belmont Hill/Winsor boathouses. Only the last remaining boats returning from the Finish Line after their Friday morning race (i.e. boats with racing event bow number cards) and needing to land at CBC or BB&N are permitted to cross at Newell once practice has started. (All other crews must proceed around the complete circuit downstream in the travel lane and upstream along course without crossing throughout practice.) Returning racing crews may cross/turn at your discretion and only with your permission. Coordinate with RC33 (pre-2024 RC18) regarding traffic through Anderson Bridge.
This is a land position along the Boston side of the Eliot turn.
Coordinates: 71.12721°W, 42.37243°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VCF+X4C
what3words: vines.butter.power
Keep boats moving along the downstream lane. Instruct boats to move using the maximum number of rowers, while maintaining a safe distance. As the river widens, crews will naturally pick up speed. Instruct boats that wish to return to CBC, BB&N, or Belmont/Hill Winsor that they must check in with the next launch downstream, RC41 (pre-2024 RC19).
This is a land position along the Boston side of the Eliot turn.
Coordinates: 71.12857°W, 42.37334°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VFC+8HM
what3words: mull.weedy.stress
Keep boats moving along the downstream lane, single file. Instruct boats to move using the maximum number of rowers, while maintaining a safe distance. You must be forceful and clear about keeping them moving! Do NOT allow boats to cross the river to CBC, BB&N, or Belmont Hill/Winsor.
This is a land position along the Boston side of the Eliot turn.
Coordinates: 71.13009°W, 42.37363°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VF9+FX3
what3words: think.crowd.leans
Keep boats moving along the downstream lane, single file. Instruct boats to move using the maximum number of rowers, while maintaining a safe distance. You must be forceful and clear about keeping them moving! Do NOT allow boats to cross the river to CBC, BB&N, or Belmont Hill/Winsor.
This position is on land, on the Cambridge shore, upstream of the 2-mile marker on the course, near the biggest part of the long Eliot turn. You should be able to see the whole Eliot turn from the Anderson Bridge downstream to the CBC dock upstream.
Coordinates: 71.12864°W, 42.37418°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VFC+MGH
what3words: fired.landed.ended
Have and use binoculars to monitor for any shells that are moving slowly or otherwise causing a backlog between where the river widens upstream of the Newell Boathouse, at RC42 (pre-2024 RC23), and the Eliot turn, at RC47. Identify and report any choke points or backlogs to RC42 (pre-2024 RC23), RC43 (pre-2024 RC24), RC44 (pre-2024 RC25), RC46 (pre-2024 RC26) and RC47 on the Boston side to get traffic flowing smoothly again quickly because they cannot see everything along the inside of the bend so clearly.
This is a land position along the Boston side of the Eliot turn.
Coordinates: 71.13191°W, 42.37325°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VF9+865
what3words: beams.tight.kicks
Keep boats moving along the downstream lane, single file. Instruct boats to move using the maximum number of rowers, while maintaining a safe distance. You must be forceful and clear about keeping them moving! Do NOT allow boats to cross the river to CBC, BB&N, or Belmont Hill/Winsor.
This is a land position along the Boston side of the Eliot turn.
Coordinates: 71.13254°W, 42.37277°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VF8+4X8
what3words: fails.hands.boost
Keep boats moving along the downstream lane, single file. Instruct boats to move using the maximum number of rowers, while maintaining a safe distance. You must be forceful and clear about keeping them moving! Do NOT allow boats to cross the river to CBC, BB&N, or Belmont Hill/Winsor.
Remind coxswains that the turn has not yet finished, so they will likely have to drop out one or two starboard rowers, and preferentially use rowers at the bow rather than the stern, to keep moving and stay within the buoys.
This is a land position along the Boston side of the Eliot turn.
Coordinates: 71.13265°W, 42.37252°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VF8+2W9
what3words: swung.using.crab
Keep boats moving along the downstream lane, single file. Instruct boats to move using the maximum number of rowers, while maintaining a safe distance. You must be forceful and clear about keeping them moving! Do NOT allow boats to cross the river to CBC, BB&N, or Belmont Hill/Winsor.
Remind coxswains that the turn is 90 degrees and sharp, so they will likely have to drop out one or two starboard rowers, and preferentially use rowers at the bow rather than the stern, to keep moving and stay within the buoys.
This position is on land, on the downstream/Boston side of Eliot Bridge (across from the CBC dock).
Coordinates: 71.13265°W, 42.37219°N
Plus Codes: 87JC9VC8+VWH
what3words: smart.frock.grabs
Keep boats moving along the downstream lane, single file. Instruct boats to move using the maximum number of rowers, while maintaining a safe distance. You must be forceful and clear about keeping them moving! Do NOT allow boats to cross the river to CBC, BB&N, or Belmont Hill/Winsor.
Remind coxswains that the turn is 90 degrees and sharp, so they will likely have to drop out one or two starboard rowers, and preferentially use rowers at the bow rather than the stern, to keep moving and stay within the buoys.
This position is on the CBC dock.
Tell launching crews they MUST head UPSTREAM to pass the finish line and follow all instructions of finish line marshals before turning downstream. To return to the CBC dock, they must proceed all the way to the start and land when coming upstream along the course. There is no turning or crossing at Harvard’s Newell Boathouse for practice crews. They may NOT cross just downstream of Eliot Bridge as it is unsafe for themselves and other rowers.
This position is on land, on the upstream/Boston side of Eliot Bridge.
Ensure crews are single file entering the bridge. Keep boats moving downstream single file. NO STOPPING, no turning, maintain safe distance between boats, no passing. Instructing crews to add a pause will reduce their speed so that they don’t need to stop. The goal is to keep them moving (slowly), rather than constantly stopping & starting.
This position is on land, on the Boston shore between Eliot Bridge and the last FALS dock.
Work with RC53 (pre-2024 RC31) to get crews prepared to be single file before going through the bridge. Instructing crews to add a pause will reduce their speed so that they don’t need to stop. The goal is to keep them moving (slowly), rather than constantly stopping & starting. Keep upstream crews headed towards finish line – NO TURNS.
This position is in a launch in the center of the river, patrolling both sides of the river between Eliot Bridge and the finish line.
Keep boats moving both up and downstream. As things back up in the afternoon, focus on keeping boats moving through the downstream lane towards Eliot Bridge. Communicate with FALS Dock Operations on Channel 6.
This position is in a launch on the Cambridge shore, just after the finish line.
Don’t let boats stop at the finish line! Move 4+s, 4xs, and 8+s to the Cambridge shore and upstream. Move 1xs and 2xs towards the centerline and remind them they may turn after the red buoy. Any boats heading back to CRI should stay with the 8+s along the Cambridge shore.
This position is in a launch on the Cambridge shore, at the end of the straight section of the finish chute.
Don’t let boats stop at the finish line! Move 4+s, 4xs, and 8+s to the Cambridge shore and upstream. Move 1xs and 2xs towards the centerline and remind them they may turn after the red buoy. Any boats heading back to CRI should stay with the 8+s along the Cambridge shore.
This position is in a launch in the center of the river, at the red buoy just before the bend towards the Northeastern Boathouse dock.
Move 4+s, 4xs, and 8+s to the Cambridge shore and upstream. 1xs and 2xs may turn after the red buoy. Any boats heading back to CRI should stay with the 8+s along the Cambridge shore.
This position is in a launch in the center of the river, at the blue buoy just upstream of the Northeastern Boathouse dock.
Move 8+s to the Cambridge shore and upstream. 4+s and 4xs may turn after the blue buoy. Any boats heading back to CRI should stay with the 8+s along the Cambridge shore.
This position is in a launch in the center of the river, at the last yellow buoy (at the turn between Northeastern Boathouse and Arsenal St Bridge).
8+s may turn after the yellow buoy. You can stagger four 8+s at a time to turn simultaneously. Any boats heading back to CRI should stay along the Cambridge shore. Be aware of boats coming downstream from CRI and instruct them to slow down as they head towards the Northeastern Boathouse.