Virtual Regatta
Bringing together rowers from around the globe to participate in one of the world's largest regattas — live, in real time, from wherever you are.
Saturday, January 10, 2026
Registration: November 1 – January 5, 2026
Prizes
- Grand prize: Concept2 Indoor Rower — one lucky participant
- NK Sports SpeedCoach — all competitors eligible
- Burnham boat slings — all competitors eligible
- Citius-Remex seat pad — 4 winners in 1x events; 2 winning teams in 2x events
- Medals — mailed to all event winners (minimum 2 entries required per event)
Race Day Timeline
All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST / GMT-5). Start times are not final and will be revised with final entry counts.
| T–40 min | Enter the HomeRace race lobby via your participant secret link for warm-up |
|---|---|
| T–10 min | Deadline to connect video for the livestream |
| T–5 min | Race lobby locked. Competitors not meeting internet latency requirements (500ms max) will be removed |
| T–2 min | Be in position and ready to race |
| T–1 min | Stop rowing, put handle down, watch monitor for race start instructions |
| T–40 min | Enter the HomeRace race lobby via your participant secret link for warm-up |
| T–10 min | Deadline to connect video for the livestream |
| T–5 min | Race lobby locked. Competitors not meeting internet latency requirements (500ms max) will be removed |
| T–2 min | Be in position and ready to race |
| T–1 min | Stop rowing, put handle down, watch monitor for race start instructions |
What you'll need
Hardware
- Concept2 erg (PM3, PM4, or PM5) with updated firmware
- Laptop, PC, or Mac
- USB A-B cable (printer cable)
- Wired internet recommended; mobile hotspot as backup
Software & OS
- Mac OS X, Windows 8.1 or higher, or Chrome OS
- Google Chrome v78+ or Microsoft Edge v79+
- Max latency: 500ms
Test your connection at master.regatta-systems.com/homerace. Subtract ~100ms from your test result for a realistic race-day estimate. A test day is scheduled for Thursday, January 2, 2026.
FAQs
Adaptive
Do I need to be FISA classified to race in the Adaptive Events?
No. The Virtual Head of the Hooch allows all athletes to self-classify in all events. If you are already classified, you may indicate that during registration.
Awards
If I'm a winner, how do I receive my medal?
Medals will be mailed to you.
General
When does registration open and close?
Registration opens November 1, 2025 and closes January 5, 2026.
What time is my event?
Once entries close, the draw for the racing schedule will be created. Your event may be combined with others if there are insufficient competitors.
What time zone does the Virtual Head of the Hooch operate in?
All times are Eastern Standard Time (EST / GMT-5).
Can I get a refund if I can't race?
No. There are no refunds, as noted at the time of registration.
What is the race distance?
Youth and Open events are 2,000 meters. Masters and Para events, including Freedom Rows, are 1,000 meters.
Race Day
Can I have food, drink, a coach, coxswain, or parent with me?
Yes to all! You're racing from your own location, so bring whoever and whatever you'd like.
Can I use someone else's entry or let someone take my place?
No. Entries are non-transferable and substitutions are not allowed. Each lobby code is unique to the registered competitor.
Is there seeding for the virtual event?
No.
Is there a warm-up period?
Yes. You may enter the race lobby 40 minutes before your scheduled start time for warm-up and preparation.
What drag factor do I have to use?
You may use any drag factor setting you choose. However, you may not change it once the race has begun.
Where can I find a video or photos of my race?
The event is not recorded, and photos of competitors are not taken.
What is the race schedule?
The schedule can be found at headofthehooch.org/virtual-hooch-schedule. Note that start times are not final and will be revised based on final entry counts.
Registration
I missed the entry deadline. Can I still enter?
Late entries may be allowed if space and time permit.
Is there a coxswain event?
No.
What age group am I in?
For all events other than Youth, age is determined as of December 31 of the race year. For Masters, a competitor must have attained or will attain age 27 during the current calendar year.
What is the age cutoff for Under-23?
U23 participants must have been born on or after January 1, 2003.
What are the Youth age categories?
- Under 15: competitor must be under 14 as of December 31 of the race year
- Under 17: competitor must be under 16 as of December 31 of the race year
- Under 19: competitor must be under 18 as of December 31 of the race year (born after January 1, 2007)
All rowers in a youth crew must individually meet the age requirement. Average age is not used.
Are there qualifying times required to enter?
No. There are no qualifying times required to enter the Virtual Head of the Hooch.
Can I enter any event?
Men's events are open to male rowers only. Women's events are open to female rowers only. Mixed doubles require one man and one woman.
What do I need to do to qualify my time for the World Indoor Rowing Championships (WIRC)?
Submit a video of your row to WIRC. The video must be a single continuous take that includes a close-up of the monitor before the start, a clear view of the athlete and erg throughout the race, and a close-up of the monitor after the finish. Documentation confirming age must be available upon request. Lightweights must be weighed in no earlier than two hours before their race under independent supervision on approved scales.
Equipment
What equipment is needed?
A Concept2 static ergometer with PM3, PM4, or PM5 monitor (with current firmware), a laptop or desktop computer, a USB A-B (printer) cable, and an internet connection. A wired connection is preferred; keep a mobile hotspot as a backup.
What drag factor do I have to use?
Any setting you choose, but you may not change it once the race has begun.
Do I need a stable Internet connection?
Yes. Competitors must race on a network with a maximum latency of 500ms. Competitors who do not meet this requirement by 5 minutes before their race start will be removed from the live race. To test your connection:
- Connect your ergometer to a laptop
- Go to homerace.nl
- Click "connect your ergometer" and connect to the system
- Run a connection test
How do I test my equipment before race day?
A test day is scheduled for Thursday, January 2, 2026. All athletes are strongly encouraged to sign up for a test slot. Slots are limited to 40 athletes at a time and take approximately 20–30 minutes. Registered competitors will receive a HomeRace link two days prior to testing via email.
I broke a record during my race. How do I have it recognized by Concept2?
Submit a video of your row to Concept2. The video must be a single continuous take including a close-up of the monitor before the start, a clear view of the athlete and erg throughout the race, and a close-up of the monitor after the finish. For full submission requirements, visit concept2.com/records/individual-requirements.
Questions? Email generalinfo@headofthehooch.org