2015 Hooch Media Guide

Photography: © Mickey Rountree (Chattanooga)
2015
MEDIA
GUIDE
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ABOUT THE HEAD OF THE HOOCH
RACE DETAILS
The Head of the Chattahoochee is a rowing regatta held in Chattanooga, TN every year on the
first Saturday and Sunday of November. The regatta is a headrace – competitors row a 5,000meter (3.1 mile) course on the Tennessee River ending at Ross’s Landing Park in
Chattanooga. Headraces are typically held in the fall. In this form of racing all boats start
sequentially by event and race against the clock.
The Head of the Hooch is one of the world’s largest rowing regattas, with 2,100+ boats racing
over two days. More than 10,000 seats are rowed. Over 1,200 boats compete on Saturday
alone, more in one day than any other regatta. Participants come from over 200 different
organizations and in 2015 the regatta welcomes crews from 27 states and 4 countries,
including Peru and South Africa. In the past, the regatta has hosted teams from Canada,
Germany, Sweden, Mexico and Australia.
The Head of the Hooch has been recognized by national magazines as the regatta to attend
thanks to the beautiful Chattanooga fall weather, downtown location, and some of the best
competition in fall racing. The regatta is organized and hosted by the Atlanta Rowing Club,
Roswell, GA and Lookout Rowing Club, Chattanooga, TN.
HISTORY OF THE HOOCH
The Head of the Hooch, also known as the Head of the Chattahoochee and ‘The Last of the
Great Fall Regattas’, was organized in 1982 by the Atlanta Rowing Club. The first year there
were 500 rowers. For 16 years the regatta took place on the Chattahoochee River in the
Roswell River Park located in Roswell GA. In 1997 the regatta had outgrown the park and had
to move. From 1997-2004 the regatta was held at the 1996 Olympic rowing venue in
Gainesville GA. The course there was located on the upper part of the Chattahoochee River.
In 2005, due to the large increases in entries each year, the regatta moved again to the
Chattanooga Ross’s Landing Riverfront venue. The venue and city have had the capability to
accommodate the continuous increase in rowers and spectators each year. Each year since
2005 The Hooch and the City of Chattanooga have welcomed more and more participants and
spectators.
The Hooch is a unique event. It attracts athletes, family, alumni, local residents and those who
travel to attend. It combines a rowing regatta, arts market and the close proximity of the
Tennessee Aquarium, the Discovery Museum and Hunter Art Museum all within walking
distance of the venue. Many hotels and restaurants are right in the downtown close to the
venue. In all, a perfect match.
As the Hooch moves through its third decade, its organizers and volunteers continue to
improve, grow and enhance the regatta that started as a small event on a Saturday many years
ago.
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THE HOOCH IN NUMBERS
THE COMPETITION
2,118 entries in 80 events throughout the weekend
1,256 entries on Saturday, 862 entries on Sunday
5 Adaptive Entries - rowing the full course for the first time in 2015
10,014 Seats Rowed, or ~6,500 participants
202 Teams from 27 States and 4 countries
Rowers from USA, Canada, Peru and South Africa
ROWER DEMOGRAPHICS
52.2% Female Rowers – 47.8% Male Rowers
Percentage of entries by category:
o 48% Youth
o 30% College
o 17% Masters
o 5% Open
Average competitor age – 24 years old
Competitors from age 15-85 years old
States with the most entries:
o Florida – 554
o Georgia – 202
o Texas - 182
o Tennessee – 169
o North Carolina – 160
THE REGATTA
5,000 meter course length
A boat starts racing every 15 seconds
17.5 miles of boats, if every shell was laid end-to-end.
355 Gold, Silver and Bronze medals awarded
755 Volunteer positions for the regatta – Over 4,000 volunteer hours the week of the
regatta – 100% volunteer run
First year of The Head of the Chattahoochee – 1981
First year of The Head of the Hooch in Chattanooga – 2005
20,000 Spectators anticipated throughout the weekend
Estimated economic impact of the Hooch–Over $5.5 million for the city of Chattanooga
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THE STÄMPFLI EXPRESS
The Hooch will be hosting the
Stämpfli Express, a 144-foot long
rowing shell that can seat 24 rowers
and a coxswain. Originating from
Switzerland, the Stämpfli Express
will be traveling to several
US regattas including the Head of
the Charles (Boston) and the Head
of the Schuylkill (Philadelphia),
before making its appearance in
Chattanooga, Tennessee from
November 5th-8th.
It’s unique in rowing to have a
rowing shell that can seat 24 rowers
and a coxswain. The Stämpfli
Express is three eight-person shells
bolted together to form one rowing shell. Surprisingly, the Stämpfli Express is very stable and
even inexperienced people can learn to row this amazing boat.
Rowers, including some novices and first time rowers, signed up to row in the Stämpfli Express
Thursday and Friday before the regatta. On Saturday and Sunday, the Stämpfli Express will be
racing during regular Hooch events, with a crew made up of rowers from teams throughout the
southeast.
STÄMPFLI EXPRESS SCHEDULE
Thursday – November 5th
2:00pm – 3:00pm
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Friday – November 6th
9:30am – 10:30am
11:00am – 12:00pm
1:00pm – 2:00pm
2:30pm – 3:30pm
Saturday – November 7th
11:05am – Preceding the Men’s Championship 8+
4:20pm – Preceding the Men’s Alumni 8+
Sunday – November 8th
2:30pm – Preceding The Octopede 8x
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EVENTS AND AWARDS
EVENT DEFINITIONS
Youth – Youth events are limited to scullers, rowers and coxswains currently enrolled in high
school and have not attained the age of 19.
Championship – Open to all collegiate and club teams.
College & Club – College and Club events are open to all collegiate and club rowing
programs, except:
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Programs with NCAA division I, II, or III status
Programs that finished in the top 6 places in the preceding year’s Head of the Charles,
Head of the Schuylkill, Head of the Fish, or Head of the Hooch for the corresponding
event.
Boats containing any rower who, in the current calendar year, finished in the top 6 places
in any national team trials, national or international championships (e.g., FISA World
Cup), NCAA Championships (all divisions), or IRA National Championship.
Boats containing any rower who, in the current or preceding four calendar years,
competed at the FISA World Championships or Olympic games.
Boats containing any rower who, in the current or preceding eight calendar years,
finished in the top three places at the FISA World Championships or Olympic games.
Masters – Rowers are 21 years old or older. Results have a handicap calculated based on the
age of the rowers.
Alumni - Alumni are rowing on behalf of and represent their Alma mater. At least ¾ of the
rowers must be graduates from the college or university they represent. All crews will be
considered masters and the Hooch masters handicap system will apply.
Open – Open events are open to all rowers and coxswains who have attained or will attain the
age of 19 in the current calendar year. All open events have no handicap or weight limit.
Novice - Novice events are limited to scullers, rowers and coxswains who have been
competing for one year or less as of the first Regatta Day. Experience in sculling events does
not count as experience in sweep events and vice versa.
ADAPTIVE EVENTS
Adaptive races will be held Sunday beginning at 11:20 AM. The 2015 adaptive events will take
place on the full 5000-meter course for the first time at the Hooch. There are 2 adaptive races
this year, the Adaptive Mixed TA 2x and the Adaptive Mixed Inclusion 2x. The “TA” adaptive
race contains rowers using only their trunk and arms, while an inclusion boat is made up of one
adaptive rower and one able-bodied rower.
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EVENTS AND AWARDS
TEAM POINTS TROPHIES
Team points trophies are awarded to the teams in four categories:
• College – Awarded to the college team with the most points
• ACC – Awarded to the ACC School with the most points
• Club – Awarded to the Master’s Club with the most points
• Youth – Awarded to the Youth team with the most points
Points are awarded for a 1st through 6th place finish in each event. The 2014 winners were:
Colligate – Oklahoma City University Rowing – Looking to win for the 6th straight year in 2015!
ACC – Clemson Women’s Rowing
Club – Community Rowing (Boston)
Youth – Belen Jesuit Prep. School
SELECT RACES RESULTS
Due to poor weather Saturday racing was canceled at the 2014 Head of the Hooch. The results
below contain a mix of 2013 and 2014 Hooch results. Full results can be found on our website
at: www.headofthehooch.org/category/results/.
SATURDAY, November 7th 2015:
Event 3 – 8:05am - Women’s College & Club 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Chicago Rowing Foundation
2nd Murray State University Crew Club
3rd University of Florida
All three clubs are fielding entries again in 2015 and will be racing against 32 other entries,
including a Clemson University boat that placed 23rd in the Collegiate Eights at the Head of the
Charles.
Event 4 – 8:13am - Women’s Master 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners
1st Composite entry from ARC/CRC/MINNRC/SCRC/TSC/VBC
2nd Orlando Rowing Club
3rd Masters Coaching
Orlando Rowing Club and the composite entry, albeit with a slightly modified lineup, winners
are returning in 2015 and will look to again beat the 4th place, Western Reserve Rowing who
finished 13th at the Head of the Charles this year, and the 5th place Tallahassee Rowing, from 2
years ago. However, the competition will be strong this year with Community Rowing from
Boston and Chinook Performance Racing entered in the event for the first time. Chinook is
coming off a win in the Women’s 50+ Masters Eights at the Head of the Charles along with
wins at US Nationals and FISA worlds. Alexandria Community Rowing is also in the event this
year looking to continue their success after winning the Master’s eights at the Head of the
Schuylkill.
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EVENTS AND AWARDS
Event 6 – 8:21am - Women’s Youth 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st OKC Riversport
2nd Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club
3rd St. Louis Rowing Club
All three clubs are fielding entries again in 2015. OKC and Cincinnati tend to be top finishers in
the youth sweep events and look to continue their success in a field of 63 entries, including
several new teams for 2015. However, Atlanta Junior Rowing, starting 6th in the event, placed
7th in the Youth eights at the Head of the Charles in a field of 85, beating OKC by almost 30
seconds.
Event 12 – 10:35am - Men’s College & Club 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Purdue Crew
2nd UNC Men’s Crew
3rd Emory University
Purdue does not have any entries for 2015 but both UNC and Emory will be returning looking
for the win. UNC will need to hold off Georgia Tech after finishing behind them at the Head of
the Charles, but both teams will need to watch out for University of Cincinnati who finished
ahead them, 9th, at the Charles.
Event 15 – 11:10am - Men’s Championship 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Florida Institute of Technology
2nd Purdue Crew
3rd University of Virginia
FIT and Virginia will look to set some of the fastest times at the Hooch, and see if they are
faster than the Stämpfli 24x starting right before them in this event. The two will race against 11
other entries. Virginia won the event in 2012 and looks to take back the gold medal.
Event 16 – 11:14am - Women’s Championship 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st University of Miami
2nd University of Oklahoma
3rd University of Texas - Austin
With University of Texas unable to make it to the Hooch this year, but looking to return in 2016,
Miami and Oklahoma are likely to be battling for the top spot. Oklahoma has placed second for
two straight years and will be looking for the win, but they will have to face strong competition
from Old Dominion University and Clemson. 22 entries will compete in the Women’s
Championship eight this year.
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EVENTS AND AWARDS
Event 18 – 11:46am - Men’s Master 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Atlanta Rowing Club
2nd Tallahassee Rowing Club
3rd Western Reserve Rowing Association
Atlanta Rowing Club dominated the Men’s Master eight in 2013, winning by more than 50
seconds and has won the event every year since 2008. Both Tallahassee, who has a large
handicap advantage, and Western Reserve are returning and looking to improve their 2013
finishes. Atlanta beat Western Reserve at the Head of the Charles in this event by only 2.029
seconds. Florida Athletic Club is returning to this event after a 4-year absence from the Hooch.
They were the last team to beat Atlanta back in 2007. Can they end Atlanta’s streak this year?
Event 19 – 11:49am - Men’s Youth 8+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Capital City Rowing
2nd Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club
3rd Belen Jesuit Prep. School
All three clubs are fielding entries again in 2015 and will be racing against 70 other entries in
the event. Belen is returning after a 12th place finish at the Head of the Charles beating; OKC
Riversport (25th), Dallas United (26th), Atlanta Juniors (28th), Jesuit College Prep of Dallas (31st),
Resilient (34th), and Capital City (41st), all of which have entries at the Hooch.
Event 21 – 12:40pm – Mixed Master 2x
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Oak Ridge Rowing
2nd St. Louis Rowing Club
3rd Detroit Boat Club/Masters Coaching
The Mixed Master Double saw a large increase in entries this year, almost doubling in size to
32 entries. Oak Ridge and St. Louis will be returning again, looking to hold off the new
competition. Fairmount Rowing’s (Philadelphia, PA) Red and Sara Sargent, who have come to
the Hooch since it was run in Roswell, GA, are also in the event looking to win again after last
taking home gold back in 2009.
Event 30 – 4:00pm - Men’s Championship 4+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Florida Institute of Technology B
2nd Florida Institute of Technology A
3rd Jacksonville University Rowing
Both clubs are fielding entries again in 2014 and will be racing against 22 other entries. FIT
looks to be the favorite after finishing 1st and 2nd in 2013, but Virginia has be posting some fast
times in their fours this fall including a 3rd place Head of the Charles finish. UNC also looks to
be a strong competitor after their 5th place Charles finish.
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EVENTS AND AWARDS
Event 21 – 4:07pm - Women’s Championship 4+
2013 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st University of Tennessee Women’s Rowing
2nd University of Miami Crew
3rd University of Tennessee Women’s Rowing
Both clubs are fielding entries again in 2014 and will be racing against 25 other entries.
University of Oklahoma will look to better their 4th place finish and get all the team points they
can for another trophy win.
SUNDAY, November 9th 2015:
Event 39 – 8:13am - Men’s Youth Lightweight 8+
2014 Hooch Medal Winners:
1st Belen Jesuit Prep. School
2nd Jesuit College Prep. of Dallas
3rd Belen Jesuit Prep. School
Belen will return in 2015 with two entries in the Lightweight 8+, an event not run in may other
big fall regattas. Jesuit College Prep of Dallas and Miami Beach Watersports Center will both
also be back looking to top Belen’s two-year winning streak. However, Belen remains the clear
favorite after a 2nd place finish in the lightweight eight at Youth Nationals over the summer.
Event 43 – 9:00am – Men’s Championship 1x
2014 Hooch Medal Winners
1st University of Virginia
2nd Case Crew – Patrick DelBarba
3rd Florida Institute of Technology – Kevin Coyle
For 2015, while all three clubs will be fielding entries, it appears that none of the medaling
rowers are returning. William Griffith of Gainesville Area Rowing may improve his 7th place from
last year. The clear favorite this is year, however, is Sam Stitt of Potomac Boat Club. A former
National Team and Olympic rower, Sam had numerous top finishes on the international level,
including 5th in the quad at the 2008 Olympics and 2nd in the double at the 2015 Pan American
Games.
Event 55 – 9:06am – Women’s Championship 1x
2014 Hooch Medal Winners
1st Vesper Boat Club – Emily Maxwell
2nd Oklahoma City University – Liz Mathews
3rd University of Tampa – Taylor DeMesa
Of the top three finishers only Emily returns to this event in 2015, looking for a 3rd straight
medal in the event. After a close race in 2014 several rowers are returning looking for a top
spot in their single.
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EVENTS AND AWARDS
Event 60 – 9:40am - Men’s Youth 1x
2014 Medal Winners:
1st Belen Jesuit Prep School – Hector Formoso-Murias
2nd South Niagara Rowing Club – Nicholas Tavares
3rd Berkeley Preparatory School – Sam O’Brien
The Men’s Youth single is one of the largest events at the Hooch this year with 62 entries,
although none of the winners from 2014 are returning. Belen has several rowers competing
which should all put down some fast times. Y Quad Cities’ Mikey Trahan finished 4th in 2014
and is looking to take home gold this year with new competition. Stephane Pienaar, an
exchange student from Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town, South Africa currently
attending Baylor School, also looks to be a contender for a medal after a 19th place finish at the
Head of the Charles. Stephane’s father was the captain of the 1995 South African rugby team
that won the World Cup.
Event 61 – 10:00am - Women’s Youth 1x
2014 Hooch Medal Winners
1st Y Quad Cities – Elizabeth Sharis
2nd Jacksonville Rowing Club – Riona McCormick
3rd Y Quad Cities – Emily Delleman
Both Riona and Emily will be returning in 2015 looking to medal again. Riona is coming off a 8th
place finish at the Head of the Charles. They should face some good competition from the 53boat field, which includes Atomic Rowing’s Sarah Rogers and Stewards Foundation who
placed 1st and 2nd respectively at the Southeast Youth Championships this spring. The field
also includes and entry by Cristina Salinas, an entry all the way from Callao, Peru.
Event 67 – 11:50am – Men’s Open 22014 Hooch Medal Winners
1st UNC Men’s Crew
2nd Community Rowing
3rd Lincoln Park Boat Club
Community and Lincoln Park are both back in 2015 but last years winners UNC are not. While
these two are likely to medal again, they face competition from Yohann Rigogne and Tom
Peszek in Vesper Boat Club’s entry that won the Men’s Pair at the Head of the Schuylkill. Tom
finished eighth in the pair at the 2012 Olympics while Yohann finished fourth in single at this
year’s Pan American Games.
Event 70 – 12:13pm - Women’s Open 22014 Medal Winners:
1st USRowing Training Center
2nd Clemson
3rd University of Louisville
Only Clemson is returning with entries in the Women’s Pair this year. They were the only team
close to the national team pair last year, although this year’s entries contain a lot of teams that
didn’t race a pair last year.
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EVENTS AND AWARDS
Event 80 – 2:32pm – The Octopede 8x
Only Gainesville Area Rowing fielded an entry in the Octopede last year. This year they are
back and will row against an entry from Alliance Rowing Club of Illinois. The Octopede has
been an event at the Hooch since 2010 with Gainesville fielding an entry every year. This year
the Stämpfli Express will lead off the Octopede race. Will 24 rowers in a boat be able to beat
8?
OUR 2015 SPONSORS
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