Details: Interest Form - Parent / Youth Race at the Head of the Hooch 2026


A crowd of people walks along a tree-lined path with many canoes and kayaks, while a bridge and a pyramid-shaped building are visible in the distance.

From: Head Coach Lambert
Re: Interest Form for  Parent-Youth race

Hello,


We’ve received inquiries regarding a parent / youth race category at regattas.  YES, there are some regattas that offer a parent rower / youth event race.

Reminder: Fall season is a longer course than Spring sprint season. For all age categories, all rowers may not achieve eligibility to race in all regattas. This applies to a Masters rowers who is also a parent.  

RGA Masters Rowers have rowed with their RGA youth in parent youth events in previous years. Each participant, adult and youth, must be a currently registered and active RGA rower approved by the Head Coach for competency and race readiness after training. 

This is not a "fun run" level activity.  Do not proceed with submitting your interest form unless you are willing to commit to the training required. 

Both the youth and adult must be current and active RGA registered rowers in order to race affiliated with Row Georgia.  Completion of the Interest Form does not guarantee approval to race affiliated Row Georgia. Instead, it provides a fair process for those interested to receive equal opportunity to be considered while also providing details of how to achieving race readiness.  If more than 8 interest forms are received, priority is given in the order in which this form submission was made.

Examples of races that may offer a parent youth category during the Fall: 

    • HEAD OF THE HOOCH: The Head of the Hooch is a massive regatta with a complex course, river current, and boat and rower volume that includes youth, collegiate, and adult Masters rowers.  It isn't meant for inexperienced rowers.

      • The Largest Two-Day Regatta: It's one of the largest two-day regattas in the world by participation (typically trailing only Boston's massive three-day Head of the Charles in total scale).

      • Single-Day Boat Capacity: The regatta holds a unique record for high-density racing. It regularly runs over 1,200 boats on Saturday alone, which is more boats competing in a single day than any other regatta in the United States.

      • National Standing: According to local tourism and economic impact data, it officially ranks as the second-largest rowing regatta in the United States overall

      • This level of a race brings the following factors: 

        • High Safety Risks on a Massive River Course: This is a grueling 4,500 meter (2.8 mile) head race on the Tennessee River. Because each rower has to row to the start line, each rower is actually rowing almost 10K, because it's 4500 to the start and then 4500 down the race course. 

        • The Current: The river has a strong, moving current. If a rower cannot handle their oars, the boat can quickly drift sideways, collide with bridge concrete piers, or flip over. 

        • Boat Instability: The race uses a Double (2x). A double is a sculling boat where each person handles two oars. These boats are extremely narrow, tippy, and require significant balance just to keep from capsizing. 

        • Strict Traffic and Flow Navigation: The race involves thousands of athletes. According to the Head of the Hooch Coaches & Coxswains Guidelines, crews must navigate tight warm-up patterns, spin across a busy river, and maintain a high pace in a single-file line.

        • Not for beginners. A beginner could likely cause a bottleneck, drift into oncoming race traffic, or risk a severe time penalty or total disqualification for disrupting the course pattern. 

        • Liability and Club Affiliation: Safety and equipment are always a risk, which is why competitive rowing is a technical sport that requires trained and fit participants, especially on a course such as at the Hooch. Row Georgia Head Coach has previously approved currently registered experienced Masters to row with their RGA youth rower with the Row Georgia affiliation. No parent has ever been approved who hasn't established rowing competency adequate for a race of this level.  

    • SECRET CITY HEAD RACE, SCHR:

      • Typically features two Head Race courses:

        • Upstream Distance: 5,000 meters Terrain: Highly technical steering layout with challenging, back-to-back 90-degree turns requiring precise navigation at high speeds before a straight sprint finish

 

        • Downstream Distance: 5,000 meters (with a shorter 3,200-meter U15 event series) Direction: Traditional downstream run on the Clinch River/Melton Lake Reservoir course Terrain: Features wide straightaways, easy turns, sweeping curves, and bridge crossings

      • The Parent/Child 2x (Double Sculls) event at the Secret City Head Race allows a parent and their child to race together in a single boat. The event runs on a 3000 meter course and is likely to take place late Saturday afternoon at the conclusion of the day's primary downstream racing schedule.

 

    • Parents interested in participating must complete the following requirements: Achieving Competency and Approval
      A. The path for an experienced rowing adult interested in racing in any regatta, in is to register for the Masters program and train. The coach will assess competency throughout the season and determine eligibility prior to the event.
      To join Masters, which is comprised of recreational and competitive adults, a prospective participant must first demonstrate the ability to safely and successfully maneuver and row a single while maintaining the Masters group pace. Masters sessions are held three times per week: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays from 6:30–8:00a.m. Register for Masters on rowgeorgia.com.
      B. Alternatively, someone with no rowing experience who is interested in racing in a regatta, has two options:  

    • Schedule and complete at least three private lessons to work toward developing the required proficiency. At the end of those three lessons, with the Head Coach assessment and full approval as competent enough to join the Masters, the participant can then join the Masters program (prorated) to continue training toward the goal of achieving eligibility for a regatta.
      or,

    • Register for three semi-private lessons designated for this season’s parents interested in rowing in this event, (8 person limit). Lessons will be scheduled on Saturdays and or Sundays, depending on the Head Coach’s availability, and all three must be attended to be considered to then join the Masters. 

      • If proficiency and competency has not yet been achieved, additional private lessons may be recommended. 

  • Completion of the three lessons (private or semi-private) described above provides an opportunity to be assessed for competency and readiness to join the Masters program in order to continue training toward achieving eligibility for a regatta. which may include a flip test.  
    Registration Requirements
    To participate in the above:

    • Complete the interest form linked below.

    • Once approved for lessons (confirmed by RGA via email) - Obtain a current annual USRowing membership and affiliate it with Row Georgia.

    • Create a Boathouse Connect profile and affiliate it with Row Georgia.

    • Complete all required forms assigned to the parent’s Boathouse Connect Masters group profile, including applicable waivers, equipment agreements, and the RGA Code of Conduct.

  • To participate in the regatta:
    Regatta fee - Regatta fees are per rower. All adult and youth race participants pay the same individual regatta fee.
    Boat rental - In the event RGA does not have enough equipment, there may be a rental option at this event.
    Next step - Submit Interest Form: Choose your status and submit the form.  NOT YET OPEN UNTIL SEASON BEGINS
    # 1. Click HERE  If you ARE a current Masters rower and would like to be considered for racing in the parent / youth category let us know by making your selection and completing this interest form. 
    ______
    # 2. Click HERE If you are NOT a Fall '26 Masters but you ARE an experienced rower, and would like to be considered for the parent youth category, you can join the Masters Fall program here.  Prerequisite: You must be able to successfully navigate and row a single, while keeping pace with the Masters, in order to register for the Masters Season.  # 3.Click HERE If you are NOT a current Masters rower and you are NOT an experienced rower.If you are not a current Masters rower, and are NOT an established rower, but would like to begin training in private or semi-private lesson (maximum 8 people) in order to be considered to join Masters and work toward racing in the Head of the Hooch, continue with your selection and interest form registration.  Completion of this form does not guarantee a spot. It provides the process for those interested to receive equal opportunity to be considered.  If more than 8 are received, priority is given in the order in which this submission was made.

Thank you, 

Head Coach Lambert