What do 12,000 rowers from 32 countries, hundreds of thousands of spectators, and seven NAC athletes have in common? One unforgettable weekend on the Charles River!
October 16–18 marked the 61st annual Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, Massachusetts, one of the world’s largest and most celebrated rowing events. With 73 events spanning a wide range of ages and abilities, the regatta brings together everyone from elite competitors and collegiate crews to masters athletes who simply love the sport.
This year, seven NAC athletes joined the excitement, competing in four events:
- Victor Abraham — Men’s Senior-Veteran II (75+) Masters Single
- Wendy Leavell and Elisa Lee — Women’s Senior (40+) Masters Double
- Jeana Schott, Jean Billyou, Annette Holbrook, and Barb Plon — Women’s Senior Veteran (70+) Masters Four, with Suzie Klein of the Cambridge Rowing Club serving as Cox.
- Cathy “Solo” Han — Women’s Grand Master (50+) Eights
Mother Nature made sure the weekend was memorable. Friday brought pelting rain, Saturday delivered chilly headwinds with gusts exceeding 30 mph, and Sunday rewarded everyone with sunshine and spectacular New England fall colors.
But the Head of the Charles is about so much more than the race itself.
It was an adventure-filled weekend for all our racers: daunting to watch the brave single rowers risking hypothermia, including seeing a master’s rower who flipped twice at the last bridge of the course, was rowed over by two other shells, then hopped back in his shell to conquer the course! Special shout-out to our Cambridge Boat Club friends for their hospitality, including boat support from Betsy Harling and coxswain Suzie. 
It’s the energy of thousands of athletes gathering along the river. The historic boathouses, the cheering crowds, and the excitement of watching some of the world’s best rowers navigate the same course you’re about to tackle. It’s reconnecting with old friends, making new ones, and being part of a rowing tradition that spans generations. NAC athletes benefited from the encouragement and support of coaches, teammates, staff, and members of the broader rowing community who helped make the weekend possible.
And perhaps most importantly, it’s a reminder that you don’t have to be an elite athlete—or even expect to finish near the top of your event—to have an extraordinary experience.
So, why not you?
Whether you’re an experienced competitor or have never entered a regatta, you can challenge yourself, travel to new places, and experience the incredible community that surrounds this sport. The Head of the Charles is just one of them. Sometimes the most memorable part of a race isn’t where you finish. It’s everything you experience along the way.
Here’s to more NAC athletes taking the leap, signing up, and discovering just how rewarding the adventure can be!
