Home of American Rowing ~ The 2025 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
When October arrives in Philly, the Schuylkill River becomes a [...]
Home of American Rowing ~ The 2025 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta
When October arrives in Philly, the Schuylkill River becomes a [...]
When October arrives in Philly, the Schuylkill River becomes a spotlight. The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is not just a rowing race – it’s a fall tradition, a story told on water, home of American rowing. In 2025, the regatta enters its 55th iteration – and it’s shaping up to be one of the most electric editions yet.
A Legacy in Motion
Though competitive rowing on the Schuylkill has deep roots, the modern HOSR was launched in 1970 by members of the University Barge club seeking to open up a head-race course to more clubs and people. Over time it expanded into a two-day event and grew into a staple of Philadelphia’s fall calendar.
Year after year, HOSR draws crowds: tens of thousands of visitors line the 2.4 mile course along the Schuylkill, taking advantage of the festival areas, food vendors, and the views of historic Boathouse Row. Because the regatta blends the spirit of inclusivity and athletic excellence – from elite crews to high school teams to adaptive rowers – it’s as much about community as competition.
Shine Bright on the Schuylkill
The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is a two-day celebration you do not want to miss – and Saturday, October 25 is set to be extra special! We’ll be hosting our first ever pop up visitor center along the river to welcome the tens of thousands of spectators coming to cheer on the races. For some, it’ll be their first taste of Philly; for others, a return to a city they love. Either way, we’ll be there as the Pham, sharing why there’s so much more to explore beyond the stunning Schuylkill views – from hidden neighborhood gems to the flavors and festivals that make our city shine.
And when the sun sets? The magic continues…
The Fairmont Park Conservatory is celebrating HOSR and the historic Boathouse Row with a dazzling “Club Colors” light show, a vivid tribute to the rowing clubs that keep Philadelphia’s riverfront alive. From 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM, the lights will dance through the signature club colors of Fairmount Rowing Association, PA Barge Club, Crescent Boat Club, Bachelors Barge Club, University Barge Club, Malta Boat Club, Vesper Boat Club, University of Pennsylvania, Penn AC Rowing Association, Undine Barge Club, Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club, and the Sedgeley Club.
Join us at the 2025 HOSR, help welcome visitors, and celebrate the spirit of pride that powers our city through one row, one light, and one story at a time.
Know Before you Go
When is the 2025 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta? October 25-26 from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where can I watch the race? Out of town schools and clubs launch from the Three Angels docks or Canoe House Area which is a popular spectator watch-site.
Walking the course? The race course is 2.4-miles. The start line is above the Strawberry Mansion Bridge and the finish line is above Boathouse Row. It will take about 45 minutes to walk the entire length of the course.
Can’t make it to the banks of the Schuylkill? Tune into our Live Stream
How do I get to the race? Kelly Drive is closed from 12:01AM on Friday, October 24 until 7:00PM on Sunday, October 26. Free Shuttle buses run frequently from the complete length of the regatta to offsite parking. Golf Carts are also available from Boathouse Row to the Regatta Festival Tent launch area and the Canoe House launch area.
Off-site, City-managed parking available (fee). Consider parking in Fairmount and walking to Kelly Drive. Or, take an Indego bike!
Where can I find the results? The results can be found on www.hosr.org/results and on kiosks at the Festival Tent at the Three Angels Statues
Now that we know where and how to get to the race…what is the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta?
What is a Head race? A head race is a time trial rowing event. Crews race the clock over a distance rather than side by side in sprints. The name comes from the English tradition: the winner was crowned “Head of the River”.
The Course and Format:
- The 2025 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta course is about 2.4 miles (3,800 meters) downstream
- Racers start upstream of Strawberry Mansion bridge (near Huntington Park Avenue) and finish just upstream of Boathouse Row
Who Rows and What Events?
- The regatta draws high school, collegiate, masters, elite, adaptive, and club athletes nationally and internationally
- Boat classes include singles, doubles, pairs, quads, fours (cox’d and coxless), and eights
How to identify crews & Follow the Race
- Each boat displays a unique number (on the front) for identification and timing
- In a head race, boats launch about 10 seconds apart and chase each other down the course. The fastest time wins, not necessarily the first to cross the line in sequence.
- You can track progress via split times, watching higher bow numbers “overtake” lower ones or check live updates through the live race streaming
Rules, Safety, and Passing
- Races are governed by USRowing rules, and competitors must pass through designated archways under bridges. Missing an arch or interfering with another boat can incur penalties.
- If one boat is overtaking another, the slower must “give way” safely or risk penalty
When October arrives in Philly, the Schuylkill River becomes a spotlight. The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is not just a rowing race – it’s a fall tradition, a story told on water, home of American rowing. In 2025, the regatta enters its 55th iteration – and it’s shaping up to be one of the most electric editions yet.
A Legacy in Motion
Though competitive rowing on the Schuylkill has deep roots, the modern HOSR was launched in 1970 by members of the University Barge club seeking to open up a head-race course to more clubs and people. Over time it expanded into a two-day event and grew into a staple of Philadelphia’s fall calendar.
Year after year, HOSR draws crowds: tens of thousands of visitors line the 2.4 mile course along the Schuylkill, taking advantage of the festival areas, food vendors, and the views of historic Boathouse Row. Because the regatta blends the spirit of inclusivity and athletic excellence – from elite crews to high school teams to adaptive rowers – it’s as much about community as competition.
Shine Bright on the Schuylkill
The Head of the Schuylkill Regatta is a two-day celebration you do not want to miss – and Saturday, October 25 is set to be extra special! We’ll be hosting our first ever pop up visitor center along the river to welcome the tens of thousands of spectators coming to cheer on the races. For some, it’ll be their first taste of Philly; for others, a return to a city they love. Either way, we’ll be there as the Pham, sharing why there’s so much more to explore beyond the stunning Schuylkill views – from hidden neighborhood gems to the flavors and festivals that make our city shine.
And when the sun sets? The magic continues…
The Fairmont Park Conservatory is celebrating HOSR and the historic Boathouse Row with a dazzling “Club Colors” light show, a vivid tribute to the rowing clubs that keep Philadelphia’s riverfront alive. From 6:00 PM to 7:00 AM, the lights will dance through the signature club colors of Fairmount Rowing Association, PA Barge Club, Crescent Boat Club, Bachelors Barge Club, University Barge Club, Malta Boat Club, Vesper Boat Club, University of Pennsylvania, Penn AC Rowing Association, Undine Barge Club, Philadelphia Girls Rowing Club, and the Sedgeley Club.
Join us at the 2025 HOSR, help welcome visitors, and celebrate the spirit of pride that powers our city through one row, one light, and one story at a time.
Know Before you Go
When is the 2025 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta? October 25-26 from 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where can I watch the race? Out of town schools and clubs launch from the Three Angels docks or Canoe House Area which is a popular spectator watch-site.
Walking the course? The race course is 2.4-miles. The start line is above the Strawberry Mansion Bridge and the finish line is above Boathouse Row. It will take about 45 minutes to walk the entire length of the course.
Can’t make it to the banks of the Schuylkill? Tune into our Live Stream
How do I get to the race? Kelly Drive is closed from 12:01AM on Friday, October 24 until 7:00PM on Sunday, October 26. Free Shuttle buses run frequently from the complete length of the regatta to offsite parking. Golf Carts are also available from Boathouse Row to the Regatta Festival Tent launch area and the Canoe House launch area.
Off-site, City-managed parking available (fee). Consider parking in Fairmount and walking to Kelly Drive. Or, take an Indego bike!
Where can I find the results? The results can be found on www.hosr.org/results and on kiosks at the Festival Tent at the Three Angels Statues
Now that we know where and how to get to the race…what is the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta?
What is a Head race? A head race is a time trial rowing event. Crews race the clock over a distance rather than side by side in sprints. The name comes from the English tradition: the winner was crowned “Head of the River”.
The Course and Format:
- The 2025 Head of the Schuylkill Regatta course is about 2.4 miles (3,800 meters) downstream
- Racers start upstream of Strawberry Mansion bridge (near Huntington Park Avenue) and finish just upstream of Boathouse Row
Who Rows and What Events?
- The regatta draws high school, collegiate, masters, elite, adaptive, and club athletes nationally and internationally
- Boat classes include singles, doubles, pairs, quads, fours (cox’d and coxless), and eights
How to identify crews & Follow the Race
- Each boat displays a unique number (on the front) for identification and timing
- In a head race, boats launch about 10 seconds apart and chase each other down the course. The fastest time wins, not necessarily the first to cross the line in sequence.
- You can track progress via split times, watching higher bow numbers “overtake” lower ones or check live updates through the live race streaming
Rules, Safety, and Passing
- Races are governed by USRowing rules, and competitors must pass through designated archways under bridges. Missing an arch or interfering with another boat can incur penalties.
- If one boat is overtaking another, the slower must “give way” safely or risk penalty
