Head of the Hooch

Friends of the Hooch, Inc.

Friends of the Hooch, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the state of Tennessee on April 1, 2021. It exists to ensure the continued success of the Head of the Hooch regatta and to grow the sport of rowing in the southeast and beyond.

The organization operates through two distinct programs:

Our Mission

"Promote the virtues of sportsmanship, teamwork, inclusion, and personal responsibility by delivering a world class competitive rowing event, the Head of the Hooch© regatta, supported by volunteers from local rowing clubs and the community we serve."

Our Purpose

Friends of the Hooch, Inc. exists to foster, support, conduct, and promote local, regional, national, and international athletic competition in the sport of rowing - through the nationally recognized Head of the Hooch© regatta - for high school, collegiate, adult, and elite athletes, including para and adaptive athletes with physical or intellectual impairments.

Friends of the Hooch Leadership

The Head of the Hooch is delivered entirely by a volunteer-based organization. Friends of the Hooch, Inc. is guided by two groups:

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible for the long-term vision and stewardship of the organization. The Board includes rowers from the Atlanta Rowing Club and Lookout Rowing Club, as well as non-rowing directors from the local Chattanooga community. Together, they work to ensure the Head of the Hooch© remains a cornerstone of Chattanooga's outdoor events calendar and continues to be recognized as the nation's friendliest fall regatta.

[See our Board of Directors - link]

Organizing Committee

The Organizing Committee is responsible for executing the regatta each year. It is composed of volunteer members from the Atlanta Rowing Club and Lookout Rowing Club, who collectively contribute more than 6,000 volunteer hours annually to make the event possible.

Our Partnership with TVA

Friends of the Hooch and the Tennessee Valley Authority share a commitment to fostering healthy, active lifestyles and promoting the sustainable use of our natural resources. TVA has been a close partner of the Head of the Hooch® for nearly 20 years, helping ensure the safety of crews on the water and raising awareness of responsible stewardship of the Tennessee River and its surrounding waterways.

TVA is the largest public power provider in the United States, serving 10 million customers across seven southeastern states. Their territory encompasses more than 40,000 miles of rivers, streams, and tributaries — the same waters our athletes compete on and our community depends on. TVA has set a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and continues to attract significant business investment to the Tennessee Valley region.

"Harness the potential of the rich resources in the Tennessee Valley region to make life better for the people who call it home."
— Tennessee Valley Authority Mission Statement

[Learn more about TVA — link]

Community Impact

Friends of the Hooch fulfills its mission year-round through the regatta and through direct financial and in-kind contributions to rowing clubs and community organizations. We look forward to expanding our impact across the southeast and beyond.

2025 Community Partners & Supporting Organizations (with logos)

Hooch Helps

Through Hooch Helps, Friends of the Hooch awards annual grants to rowing and coaching organizations across the country. Grants are available in three categories: Junior, Collegiate, and Masters. Any rowing-related organization is eligible to apply.

[Learn more about Hooch Helps and how to apply - link to Hooch Helps page]

Venue Update

A note on the future of the Head of the Hooch venue: