Volunteers

VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE AND POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

HOCR Volunteers are responsible for every part of the regatta from welcoming guests to our hospitality venues to managing river traffic, from providing lunches and snacks to fellow volunteers to handing out medals and trophies to our winners, from providing first aid support to running timing stations across the race course. With such a vast array of needs, there is a position to fit any skill set.

There are opportunities available the week before, the week after, and, of course, race weekend! Do keep in mind, that we receive more applications each year than we have available positions. Our volunteer committee leads are volunteers themselves, and while we appreciate all interest in volunteering, we are not able to accept every applicant. An application does not guarantee a position.

Below you will find descriptions of each Race Operations Committee and the role their volunteers play to carry out the vital functions of our event.

Any questions, please email volunteer@hocr.org

  • The Announcing Committee provides live race commentary at six points along the race course. Some of this commentary is also broadcast over the livestream. Announcing volunteer teams consist of Announcers and Spotters, with both people taking on each role during a shift. Members of the team should have a good knowledge of rowing and the HOCR, should be able to speak clearly, provide insightful commentary, and convey excitement and enthusiasm throughout the event.

  • Awards Committee volunteers help in distributing subsidiary medals to athletes and presenting first place medals and trophies at awards ceremonies throughout the Regatta. We love our returning volunteers as well as welcoming new faces. Rowing experience or knowledge is a plus, as is a customer service mindset. Standing and some heavy lifting is required, and volunteers are expected to be present for the full duration of their shift. Volunteers are encouraged to serve multiple shifts.

  • Volunteers for Back-Up Timing provide manual timing as a back up to computer timing systems. They coordinate stopwatches at the start and finish and later communicate their results to Regatta Headquarters.

  • Volunteers for the Facilities Committee work at the Cambridge Boat Club – at the side gate, at the front door and in the dock areas. Our main role is to welcome people and manage club access for members and guests using two lists (CBC members and the Cambridge Ringe and Latin high school team) We also keep spectators off the docks and ramp. Finally, we remove trash from the big bins in the main club room and maintain bathroom supplies on the main floor. Even though we are not tasked to clean up the grounds, we keep an eye on the general state of things on the club grounds. We take turns doing all of the above tasks.

  • The Communications Committee is a “behind the scenes” team that ensures all other HOCR teams have the communications gear they need to run a safe and effective regatta. The Comms team receives, inventories, recharges, and tracks all radios, bullhorns, laptops, and tablets used by HOCR volunteers up and down the river. Volunteers for our team should be fluent in English, be able to lift 20-30 pounds, be spreadsheet literate, and have good attention to detail. But most of all, be quick to laugh and enjoy having fun! Many of our volunteers have been returning to the Comms team for well over ten years. We are a fun group, and if you like to keep things in order and properly arranged, you will fit right in!

     

  • Computer Timing is responsible for ensuring a fair and accurate time is provided for each of the over 12,000 competitors. The Timing volunteers are stationed at one of the five timing stations along the course – Start, Riverside Boat Club, Weld Boathouse, Cambridge Boat Club, and the Finish line. Our volunteers use computers and iPads to record times – all volunteers receive training. No experience necessary!

  • The Course Committee is responsible for setting, maintaining, and cleaning up the race course buoys. Prior the race weekend, we place all buoys to mark the entire course. Throughout the weekend, we check the accuracy of buoy locations and make adjustments, as needed. At the conclusion of racing, we remove and store all buoys, lines, tethers, and anchors.

  • Cyclists act as the regatta’s bike messenger team, working closely with all committees to deliver results, lunches, refreshments, messages, and small equipment.

  • In coordination with local emergency services, we staff the on-land first aid stations for the regatta. We have stationary tent locations, as well as bike and walking patrols.

    Current First Aid and CPR training required.

  • In coordination with local emergency services and other Race Operations committees, we manage the radio communication of the Regatta to ensure the smooth handling of emergency situations. Volunteers are stationed on either land or water (boat).

    Ham Radio experience required.

  • Lifeguards assist is ensuring the safe operation of the regatta. Our lifeguards are stationed on the water throughout the race course for water patrol and rescue services.

    Current lifeguard certification is required.

  • Dock Logistics plans the size, number, and location of all docks along the race course. We oversee the assembly and installation of all temporary docks before the regatta, and the removal and storage of dock pieces at the conclusion of racing.

  • We at FALS OPS are here to safely and efficiently help guide the boats and athletes into and out of the launch areas and on and off the docks.  We also perform safety checks on launching boats, and help carry oars on and off the docks.

  • Crews are registered…hotels are booked…the trailers are loaded and on the way to HOCR… Welcome to FALS Parking! Each year, our committee parks over 120 trailers in the FALS parking lots. We’re the faces that welcome weary drivers after their long (and sometimes short) drives to Boston. Our job is to greet them, check them in – and offer them some fresh coffee, and direct them to where they will park for the Regatta. That’s basically what we do but what we really do is…on Thursday and Friday, flag them to our tent, check them in, direct them to the lots, greet them at those lots, guide them to their parking spot, give them some basic instructions for where they may rig and store boats, make sure they keep parking spaces clear of equipment, and on Sunday, help guide them out of the parking lots. Our goal is to park all the trailers safely and efficiently while being the friendly faces that welcome them to the Head of the Charles. You don’t need to be a trailer driver to volunteer with us. We’ll teach you what you need to know! Park trailers with us and enjoy the weekend of racing!

  • Help Feed the HOCR Team! 🥪

    Join us to bundle and distribute over 1,000 daily lunches and drinks for our amazing Head of the Charles volunteers and staff. Choose from two crucial operations:

    1. Offsite Lunch Packing (Early Mornings)

    • The Job: Meet early to assemble and pack a mix of lunches and drinks into distribution boxes. Typically 7-9 am

    • The Location: This operation is offsite (not at the regatta itself).

    2. Lunch Distribution (Late Morning to Midday)

    • The Job: Distribute lunch boxes to other volunteers from the Cambridge Boat Club and other key spots.
    • The Perk: Get right next to the action and see the regatta up close!
    (must be able to comfortably lift and carry 25 lbs.)

  • Information provides general race information, results, directors, trailer locations, and other information to spectators throughout race weekend. We have several locations across the regatta and local area. Customer service experience is helpful but not required.

  • Our volunteers drive launches to support race operations or provide general support at the dock. All volunteers must undergo training. . Please select a minimum of one full day shift or two morning/evening shifts when applying. Morning/evening shifts are for dock support.

    Drivers must possess power-boating skills and experience

  • Network Tech supports the technological infrastructure of the regatta including managing the installation, maintenance, and support of printers, computers, computer-connected displays, and wireless networks. Prior to the regatta, we install the components for the wireless network throughout the 3-mile race course.

  • Volunteers assist para rowers in getting on and off the water to make their regatta experience as smooth as possible. Para Committee volunteers will assist in the launching and landing of para rowers by helping as needed with rowing equipment, guiding rowers as needed to and from the dock and helping manage para athlete mobility equipment (prosthetics, crutches, wheel chairs, etc).

  • The Regatta Spotter committee is responsible for capturing downstream traffic data which is used by the Race Committee to help set the schedule each year. Regatta Spotters play an important role in optimizing the schedule and identifying pre-race traffic bottlenecks.  Spotters use a tablet with a custom application that includes all bow numbers for each event. Bow numbers are on chicklet size squares that are tapped when a bow passes their checkpoint. The tap registers the timestamp for that boat. Typically we staff two locations on the river with several Spotters. Usually Spotters work in pairs, one tapping, the other with binoculars to assure an accurate spot of a boat. Our shifts are 4 to 5 hours long, and your ability to maintain focus, tell a few jokes, and have a good time is important!

  • We are responsible for preparing and distributing athlete registration packets. Prior to the regatta, we assemble and organize all athlete race materials including bow numbers, bibs, and competitor information. During the regatta, we manage the check-in process, compliance, and distribution of race packets for all athletes.

  • We maintain the easy and safe flow of all on-water operations, in regards to crews practicing and racing. We operate both on-water and on-land stations.

  • We coordinate the operations at SADL including assembling docks, assisting rowers, managing traffic flow, and breaking down the dock. The weekend prior to the regatta, we assemble and install the docks; during the weekend, we manage the traffic flow, assist athletes, and maintain the launch and landing patterns; at the conclusion of racing, we remove and disassemble the docks.

  • Our Committee’s role is to manage the process of starting all 12,000+ competitors racing more than 2500 boats in 6+ dozen events, on time and safely. Our target is to begin all races within 5 seconds of the appointed and published minute. Momentary varying from this is permitted, but only for reasons of safety. The Start Line group operates, with radios, binoculars, and iPads from the crew coaches’ office located upstairs at the BU DeWolfe Boathouse, the boat bay and on the BU dock. We’re in constant contact with safety marshals stationed in launches in the competitor warm-up area, but we don’t join them in the boats. We also coordinate with the HOCR Backup Timing group stationed on the BU Balcony. We are responsible for getting all races off on time, in a safe and organized (AND FUN!!) fashion as well as announcing each competitor or team.

  • We are the Sustainability Heroes of the regatta! We are one of the newest and largest committees, with a focus on championing the regatta’s sustainability efforts. Our volunteers are stationed throughout the race course and vendor areas. We work closely with the spectators, athletes, and general public the ensure compost, recycling, and refuse are diverted to the appropriate destinations. Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers, in 2023, we reached a diversion rate of 48.5%  – the highest to date – AND collected a record number of recyclables!

  • The Umpire team is responsible for the safe and fair running of the regatta. With over 75 umpires across 17 stations, the Umpires provide and important role in the regatta. In addition to spotting crews and assessing penalties during racing, Umpires are responsible for hearing and adjudicating appeals, assembling and distributing Umpire information and supplies, buoy setup, and post-regatta breakdown.

  • In the week leading up to the regatta, Pre-Event Support volunteers assist in all phases of set-up and preparation. High energy and attention to detail are a must. Responsibilities will vary depending on availability.

  • Volunteers will assist with all phases of set-up, and running of events at FALS and Weld sites during the HOCR. Strong Customer Service skills, high energy and attention to detail are a must. Responsibilities will be based on overall availability.

  • In the days following the regatta, volunteers will assist with all phases of regatta breakdown including inventorying and the collection of any items, as as as the packing of items away into bins and trucks.

  • The Riverbender is a gated site, located in the middle of the course and racing action. Volunteers at RB help with set-up and breakdown, as well as check-in for alumni tents, manage the entry, ticket sales, and gate traffic of attendees. Strong Customer Service skills are a must.

  • FALS Bar volunteers will be assisting with all phases of the set-up, running and breakdown of this very popular site. This gated location is in the middle of the Rowing action and at the very center of the excitement. Strong Customer Service skills a must. You must be 21 years of age or older to work this site.

  • On-site support assistance on the HOCR Race weekend at the Race Directors’ Tent. Job responsibilities include set-up and breakdown of this key hospitality site, along with front desk management, assisting with the clearing of tables, recycling and disposing of trash and compostable materials, answering guest questions, and overall acting as HOCR host ambassadors. Requires good interpersonal skills, a basic knowledge of the event and the ability to work on multiple days/shifts. These are the prerequisites for volunteering at this VERY important site. If you are interested in volunteering with the Corporate Hospitality Staff, please email volunteer@hocr.org

  • On-site support assistance at the Eliot Bridge Enclosure. Job responsibilities include set-up, turning the tent between functions, and breakdown of this key hospitality site, along with the main entrance management, assisting with the clearing of tables, recycling and disposing of trash and compostable materials, answering guest questions, and overall acting as HOCR host ambassadors. Requires good interpersonal skills and a basic knowledge of the event.

  • The Transportation Crew is responsible for the safe and timely movement of people and equipment. The Transportation Crew requires signing up for a minimum of 2 shifts. There will be an orientation of transportation routes. Volunteers should be familiar with the area, and who can ride with our professional van drivers to ensure that everyone on board gets to their stops and gets picked up as needed at the end of racing, over the 3 days.

    You must be able to lift 25 lbs, be over the age of 25 and hold a valid driver’s license.

  • Responsible for posting volunteer recruitment flyers, emails and internet notices. Also organizes volunteer check-in and premium distribution on race weekend for the more than 2,200 volunteers needed to manage the Regatta.

  • Bring your energy and enthusiasm to the HOCR Volunteer Headquarters! As an ambassador of volunteer engagement, you’ll help create a welcoming, fun, and appreciative atmosphere for Regatta volunteers throughout the weekend.
    Responsibilities include:
    Encouraging volunteers to participate in social media opportunities at the step-and-repeat backdrop and engage with giveaways
    Helping distribute and maintain an assortment of snacks and refreshments
    Assisting with trivia, games, and other interactive activities throughout the weekend
    Fostering a sense of community and recognition among volunteers
    In this role, you will work closely with the HOCR Social Media Manager and the Volunteer Committee Co-Chairs to ensure volunteers feel valued, included, and celebrated for their contributions.

  • We are responsible for accurately weighing-in all lightweight rowers and ensuring that they are under the maximum weight set by the Regatta.

29 daysuntil 2026 HEAD OF THE CHARLES REGATTA