Registration for Race Weekend

The 2026 Head of the Hooch will be held November 7 & 8, 2026. Registration opens mid-2026 and is processed through RegattaCentral.

Entry Fees

Late entries (post-lottery) are charged 25% above standard fees. There are no refunds for accepted entries.

Key Dates

Guaranteed Entries

Boats finishing within 10% of the winning adjusted time at the prior year's Hooch receive a Guaranteed Entry Code (GEC). GECs are awarded to the crew for all events except 1x races; 1x GECs go to the individual rower and are valid for any 1x event.

Codes are emailed via RegattaCentral to the account that placed the prior year's entry, one to two weeks before registration opens. Keep that account's email current. If you don't receive your code before registration opens, contact the registrar. When submitting your entry, you'll be prompted to enter your GEC; once verified, your entry is automatically accepted and bypasses the lottery. Guaranteed entries must be submitted during the standard registration window.

Questions? registrar@headofthehooch.org

Lottery

All non-guaranteed entries are placed in a lottery. Boats are drawn in this order until each event's cap is reached:

1. Guaranteed entries (top 10% by adjusted time)
2. Random draw of remaining "A" boats (no composites)
3. Random draw of remaining "B" boats and all composite entries

Entries not drawn are placed on a waitlist in random order. Payment is due immediately upon acceptance. Entries may not transfer between events. Unfilled slots in an event may be redistributed to other events on the same day.

Para Events

Not subject to the lottery. Registration is open August 25 – September 28.

Early Entries

Crews traveling more than 1,000 miles (straight-line) to Chattanooga may request early acceptance of up to 150 spots available. Contact the registrar to apply. Crews not accepted via this process may still enter the lottery. registrar@headofthehooch.org

Late Entries

After lottery registration closes, late entries are accepted at the registrar's discretion, placed last on the post-lottery waitlist, and charged 25% above standard fees.

Entry Limits & Seeding

No limits on entries per crew per day or races per rower but note scratch/no-show penalties. Boats are seeded by prior year's raw finishing times, including in handicapped events.

Payments & Scratch Policy

Credit card required at registration. Guaranteed entries are charged immediately, and lottery entries are held and charged upon acceptance. Check payments require prior arrangement with the registrar. No refunds once accepted. All fees must be paid before bow numbers are issued. Crews with unpaid balances from the prior year may not register until settled.

Waivers & Line-ups

The Hooch accepts the annual USRowing waiver. All waivers due by October 27. Masters, Alumni, and 1x entries must enter line-ups and birthdays at registration; all other entries must have line-ups submitted by October 27 or will be scratched. Correct seating is not required, but rowers must be listed in the correct boat.

For waiver questions: usrowing.org | 800-314-4ROW | members@usrowing.org

On-Site Registration

Club representatives (and single scullers) must check in at the Registration tent to receive bow numbers. Boats without bow numbers will not be permitted to launch; entries that race without checking in will be disqualified.

Registration Tent Hours

• Friday, Nov 6: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Saturday, Nov 7: 7:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Sunday, Nov 8: 6:00 am – 1:00 pm

Registration for the Virtual Regatta

Registration for the Virtual Regatta is November 1, 2025 —January 5, 2026 and is through RegattaCentral (links coming)

1.1-All boats must register no later than January 5, 2026., 11:59 pm EST

1.2-Guaranteed entries for the 2026 Head of the Hooch ® Regatta in Chattanooga, TN will be awarded to top finishers of the January 2026 virtual regatta. Up to three guaranteed entry codes (GECs) will be issued per event, with 1 being awarded for events with 10 entries, 2 awarded for events with 11-19 entries, and 3 awarded for events with 20+ entries. Scratches or DNS boats will not be considered an entry. GECs for 1x events will be awarded to the rower and can be used for any 1x event the rower qualifies for in the 2026 regatta. GECs for 2x, events will be awarded to the club and can be used for any 2x event in the 2025 regatta.

1.3-There must be at least 2 entries in an event to constitute a race. Competitors must finish ahead of at least one other entry in their category to receive an award. All entries will be allowed to race, and medals will be awarded to all events regardless of entry level.