Registration

The 2025 Head of the Hooch will be held November 1 & 2, 2025.
Registration for the 2025 Head of the Hooch Regatta
will open August 25, 2025.

Last modified 6/15/25

Registration Process

Lottery Draw Posted: On or before October 1st

Loss of Entry Fees: Immediately after Acceptance of Entry

Bow Draw & Wait List Closed: Week of the Regatta

Line-ups & Waivers Due: Oct 27th

Registration Opens: Aug 25th

Lottery & Guaranteed Entry Registration Closes: Sept 28th

Para Registration Closes: Sept 28th

*Closing times are at 11:59 pm Eastern for each of these dates

2025 Registration on RegattaCentral

Head of the Hooch_Registration_v.png — Guaranteed Entries

**Guaranteed entries** will be available to boats with an adjusted time within 10% of the winning adjusted time in each event from the 2024 Head of the Hooch. Guaranteed Entry Codes (GECs) will be awarded to the crew for all events except 1x races. GECs from 1x events will be awarded to the rower and be usable for any 1x event. RegattaCentral will provide your guaranteed entry code prior to registration opening. Please ensure your crew’s contact information is accurate on RegattaCentral. If you do not receive your GEC before registration opens, please **contact the registrar**. A list of all boats that will be receiving a GEC is **available here**.

Head of the Hooch_Lottery_v.png — Lottery

All non-guaranteed entries will be placed into a lottery. Each event has a cap as listed on our **event schedule page**. Boats will be placed into events in the following order until the event cap has been reached:
Guaranteed Entries – top 10% of finishers from 2024 using adjusted times
Random Draw of remaining “A” boats registered for the event, *excluding* composite entries
Random Draw of remaining “B” boats registered for the event and all composite entries registered for the event
Continue drawing boats until all have been placed or the cap is reached

Head of the Hooch_Registration_V copy 7.png — Waitlist

Any entry that isn’t drawn prior to reaching the event cap will be added to a waitlist for the event in random draw order. Should any entries scratch, waitlisted boats will be accepted. Once your boat is accepted from the lottery, payment will immediately be due. No registered boat will be allowed to move from one event to another. Should an event not reach its cap, the remaining slots will be added to other events on the same day.

Head of the Hooch_Registration_V copy 6.png — Early Entries

Crews traveling more than 1,000 miles, straight-line distance, to Chattanooga, TN can receive an early decision on entries. Please **contact the registrar** to apply for early acceptance. A maximum of 150 entries will be accepted via this process. All crews will be notified with rolling acceptance up to the close of registration. Any entries not accepted via this process may still enter the lottery. If you have any questions, please **contact the registrar**.

Head of the Hooch_Registration_V copy 4.png — Late Entries

After registration for the lottery has closed, late entries will be accepted at the discretion of the registrar and will be placed last on any post-lottery waitlist. If accepted, late entries will cost 25% more than standard entries.

Head of the Hooch_Registration_V copy 5.png — Para Events

Will *not* be subject to the lottery. Registration for para events will be open from **August 25th - September 28th.**

Head of the Hooch_Unlimited Entries_V copy 8.png — Entry Limits

There are no limits on the number of entries a crew can request per day or event, nor are there any limits on the number of races a rower can compete in. However, please keep in mind the penalties for scratching or “no-showing” a race.

Head of the Hooch_Registration_V copy 3.png — Seeding

Boats will be seeded in all events. Boats will be seeded based on the prior year’s *raw* finishing times, including in handicapped events.

Head of the Hooch_Registration_V copy 2.png — Rules of Racing

Please review the updated **Rules and Procedures**.

Head of the Hooch_Registration_V copy.png — Schedule

Start times are not final and will be revised with final entry counts. The full schedule can be found **here**. Please review the start times closely as daylight saving falls between racing on Saturday and Sunday.

Additional Information

Online Registration & Waivers

All entries and payments for the Hooch are processed through RegattaCentral. The Hooch is registered with USRowing and accepts the once-a-year USRowing waiver. All waivers are due by 10/27/25. For more information on submitting your waiver, visit USRowing or contact USRowing at 800-314-4ROW or members@usrowing.org.

All Masters, Alumni, and 1x entries will be required to enter their lineups and birthdays as they register. All other entries must have their lineups entered by October 27th, or they will be scratched. Having rowers in the correct seat is not necessary; however, showing them in the correct boat prior to the deadline is required.

Entry Fees

8+ | $210

4x/4+ | $150

2x/2- | $95

1x | $60

Payments

Credit card information will be required to place an entry or application. The credit card will be charged for any guaranteed entries and held for any entries into the lottery. The cards will be charged automatically for any entries accepted from the lottery. If you need to pay with a check, please contact the registrar before placing your entries.

Scratch Fees & Refunds

There will be no refunds for any accepted entries. After your boat has been accepted from the lottery, entry fees are due. Please contact the registrar of any scratches as soon as possible, as this may allow other crews to participate.

All registration fees must be paid prior to receiving any of your club’s bow numbers. Any crew with unpaid fees from the previous year’s Hooch will not be allowed to enter until their balance is paid.

Registration at the Venue

Representatives of clubs (and single scullers) must check in at the Registration tent on the venue to receive bow numbers. Boats not displaying the correct bow numbers will not be permitted to launch. Any entry that races but does not stop by the registration tent and pick up its bow number will be disqualified.

Regatta registration at the riverfront venue will be open as follows: