The HOSR is excited to participate in USRowing’s Virtual Fall, two months of virtual regattas and programming that bring you closer to some of our favorite events, and one another, while staying in place. Though each regatta provides its own race format and flavor, we come together to provide a platform for the rowing community to reengage, connect, compete…and have fun! While this year has been nothing short of challenging, we are finding silver linings and opportunities that may have been overlooked in the past. This first-of-its-kind partnership is about finding ways to do what we CAN, growing our community by opening doors to those who may not have had access to regattas in the past, and celebrating one another (because we all could use more of that in our everyday).
USRowing Release – September 1, 2020
USRowing Partners with Five Head Races to Launch USRowing Virtual Fall presented by Concept2
USRowing has come together with five of the nation’s largest head races — the Head of the Fish, Head of the Hooch, Head of the Ohio, Head of the Oklahoma and Head of the Schuylkill — to launch the USRowing Virtual Fall presented by Concept2, a fun way to stay connected with the rest of the rowing community, compete in virtual regattas and have the chance to win prize packages at the conclusion of the fall season.
The USRowing Virtual Fall, which begins September 1 and runs through November 16, is made up of 16 rowing-related activities — including eight racing opportunities — that members can check off on the USRowing Virtual Fall Punch Card. Any USRowing Basic Plus or Championship member who completes 12 of the 16 punch card activities will be eligible to win prizes including items such as a Concept2 BikeErg, USRowing lifetime membership, gear packages from our partners and sponsors, and much more. Prize information will be announced throughout the fall.
“We’re excited to be partnering with five of rowing’s most recognizable fall head races,” said USRowing Interim CEO Susan Smith. “While we all want to be back on the water at in-person regattas, that just isn’t possible yet. But, this provides us with a unique opportunity to come together and create a fun way for the rowing community to stay connected during the fall. We’d also like to thank Concept 2 for coming on board to be our presenting sponsor, as well as Heartline, CaptainU, and Gutzy for sponsoring individual punch card regattas and activities.”
Racing opportunities will kick off with the USRowing Virtual Fall Half Marathon presented by Heartline the week of September 14 and will conclude with the Row to Tokyo 2k Challenge November 14-15.
In between, rowers will have the chance to race virtually in some of the nation’s largest, most well-known head races. Each regatta will provide its own unique racing experience and medal opportunities. The eight races include:
USRowing Virtual Fall Half Marathon presented by Heartline
The USRowing Virtual Fall Half Marathon presented by Heartline serves as the kick-off to the event. This long-distance, virtual row through the San Francisco Bay invites rowers of all ages and levels of experience to push their limits by rowing 13.1 miles either in a single scull or on the ergometer. Participants will complete the half marathon between September 14-20 and record their time on the ReSport Map platform. Competitors then will be able to see where they stack up and watch their race take place through the San Francisco Bay. Registration fee includes a USRowing Virtual Fall Half Marathon medal. Click here for more information.
Date: September 14-20
Head of the Ohio
The Head of the Ohio celebrates the beauty, majesty and energy of Pittsburgh’s Rivers and our sport. This year’s Head of the Ohio will channel these elements into a fully inclusive, virtual hybrid event that will feature both on-water and land-based events for all ages and abilities.
Date: October 1-4
OCU Head of the Oklahoma
Established in 2004, the Head of the Oklahoma brings together athletes from across the nation for rowing, canoe/kayak and dragon boat racing. This year, competitors will race virtually on a simulation of the 4,000-meter course on the Oklahoma River, in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City.
Date: October 3
USRowing’s Race Against the Clock Challenge Presented by CaptainU
Join USRowing’s Race Against the Clock Challenge presented by CaptainU. USRowing will offer race opportunities for U15, U17, U19, U23, masters and para rowers. The top three finishers in each event category will receive medals. Additional information will be available by mid September.
Dates: Mid-October
Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
Join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary by connecting and competing with athletes across the country and around the world! Submit your time from the erg or water for a number of meters between 4,100-4,300 (to be disclosed) during race week, or compete live from your Concept2 erg on October 24. Race individually or gather your teammates, alum and family-members for some of HOSR’s most beloved events. Live awards and a concert will conclude a week of virtual programming as we bring the Schuylkill to you.
Date: October 18-24, 2020
Head of the Fish Regatta
Go Fishing on Halloween. Over the course of Halloween weekend, all crews and individuals are invited to submit a 3,200-meter, on-the-water piece as measured by any model GPS along with a picture of your crew (preferably in costume). The fastest time in each event will be awarded the coveted fish head trophy, with other awards going to the best costumes. Win the Fish Head or look great trying.
Date: Halloween 2020
2020 Virtual Head of the Hooch
The 2020 Virtual Head of the Hooch regatta will be competed on Concept2 ergometers and include both individual and team events in junior, collegiate, open and masters categories. Competitors will be racing simultaneously in a head-to-head format at specific start times over the weekend. More details to follow by mid-September.
Date: November 7-8, 2020
Row to Tokyo 2k Challenge
Join USRowing for our Row to Tokyo 2k Challenge and help support the U.S. National Team. Rowers will be able to complete their 2k either on an erg or in a single and then enter their times via the ReSport platform. The race will be run virtually over the Nathan Benderson Park course in Sarasota, site of next year’s first U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Rowing. The standard entry fee includes a Row to Tokyo medal, with the opportunity to upgrade your entry to include a Row to Tokyo t-shirt. Both the medal and t-shirt are exclusives to the event and are not available for purchase separately. Pricing and more information will be available soon.
Date: November 14-15
In addition to those great racing opportunities, there are eight more ways to check off your virtual punch car
- Be a Basic PLUS or Championship USRowing Member: Already a USRowing Basic PLUS or Championship member? Great! Go ahead and make your first punch on the USRowing Virtual Fall Punch Card. Not a member or need to upgrade? Join now or Log In and renew to unlock all of the USRowing member benefits.
- Read or Watch A Most Beautiful Thing
- Attend our Prebiotics, Probiotics, Sport and Health presented by Gutzy Webinar (October 7)
- Take a Picture with your “USRowing Virtual Fall” Punch Card and Tag Us on Social Media using #USRowingVirtualFall
- Compete in any USRowing Registered Regatta
- Attend Our Vinyasa Yoga with Alicia presented by USRowing Webinar (October 13)
- Complete Your SafeSport Training
- View any USRowing Recorded or Live Webinar
If you are interested in participating in the USRowing Virtual Fall presented by Concept2, you are encouraged to fill out the interest form. This is not a commitment, just an opportunity for us to gauge interest numbers in the series and individual racing opportunities, as well as to provide you with additional information.
To download the punch card or for more details on each of the punch card regattas and activities, click here.
USRowing would like to thank Concept2 for coming on board as the event’s presenting sponsor, as well as Heartline, CaptainU, and Gutzy for sponsoring individual punch card activities.
For more information on the USRowing Virtual Fall presented by Concept2, please contact Sara McAuliffe at sarah.mcauliffe@usrowing.org.