HOCR Directors’ challenges
allies with oars HOCR History
In 2022, in conjunction with trans rower and Allies with Oars founder Willow Arts, we boated an Allies with Oars Mixed8+ in the Head of the Charles Directors Challenge. It wasn’t just any crew – we had a mission to promote inclusion and accessibility for all rowers, regardless of gender identity. The crew was comprised of trans, gay, queer, and straight ally athletes. In 2023 and 2024, we did it again. Be a part of this new tradition!
2025 HOCR crew member APPLICATION
APPLICATION SCHEDULE
June 20-July 21: open applications period
July 28: notification of acceptance
August 4: seat fees due
TO RACE WITH ALLIES WITH OARS:
You agree to act as a representative of Steady State Network and Allies with Oars and actively, and willfully support our mission of inclusion. Be an on-site Ambassador for Allies – at the very least wearing the gear. It’s likely we will be interviewing Allies and being interviewed by other outlets during the weekend. Be ready and able to speak about Allies or be able share your experience in ways you feel comfortable. We will provide resources and guidance as necessary.
As this is the biggest stage for the Allies initiative, we seek to boat competitive Allies with Oars crews that *could* finish top half. Last year we finished in 18:58, 17 of 32 boats. Unlike all other events at HOCR, a top half finish in a Directors’ Challenge event does not guarantee an entry the following year. Regardless, we’d like to work our way up the rankings!
With that in mind:
• You must be currently in training for the 2025 race season with plans to train and race consistently in the lead up to HOCR, to physically and mentally prepare for the 5k HOCR course.
• You should have head race experience and feel confident rowing HOCR at 30-32spm
• You should be prepared to practice and race in an intense environment on the Charles, with a lot of boat traffic, and variable weather and water conditions.
• You should be able to row with people you’ve never rowed with before, without practicing. There’s always a chance we won’t get to practice together on Friday. Be of the mindset “Any boat, any seat, any day” and be ready to adjust.
• Sometimes we pass boats and sometimes we need to deal with tricky traffic to make that happen. Rowers should be prepared for myriad coxing calls and be able to respond immediately.
You must be available at these dates and times:
Friday 10/17: Course is open for practice 10:30am-6:00pm. Team practice time TBD.
AND
Saturday 10/18: Event #42 - PMDC MX4X at 3:15pm
OR
Sunday 10/19: Event #74 - DCMX8+ at 4:03pm
NEW THIS YEAR!
Thanks to our growing partnership with HOCR, Allies will be rowing two events in 2025: the Mixed 8+ and (new!) the Mixed 4x.
ABOUT THE HOCR DIRECTORS’ CHALLENGE
Directors’ Challenge events benefit the permanent endowment of the HOCR and ensure the continued success of the event. [More info]
The limitation that no one, including coxswains, may compete more than once at Head of the Charles Regatta does NOT apply to the Directors’ Challenge events – so row once with your club, and once with us!
In 2025, for the first time ever, Allies with Oars will take on the Directors’ Challenge Mixed Quad, Event #42 at 3:15pm on Saturday, Oct. 18.
Allies is back in the Director’s Challenge Mixed 8+ for the fourth year in a row! The provisional schedule lists it as Event #74 at 4:03pm on Sunday, Oct. 19.
ALLIES HOCR WEEKEND FEES: $3,000
We always work to secure sponsors, and ask all Allies with Oars crew members to make a donation to Steady State Network to cover costs associated with racing at HOCR, including race fees, boat rentals, and certain logistics.
As our way of saying “thank you,” Allies coxswains race for free.
In an effort to better serve the rowing community, we're offering this opportunity under an accessible and equitable pricing model. Chose from:
Accessible price: $75 - Designed for those unable to participate at the regular price. If finances are a barrier, use this price. If you feel underrepresented in the rowing community, use this price. We are committed to making rowing and racing accessible to as many people as possible.
Full price: $250 - The standard seat fee for the HOCR Director’s Challenge Mixed 8+ and Mixed 4x. The Directors’ Challenge events benefit the permanent endowment of the HOCR and ensure the continued success of the event.
Supporter price: $500 - Choose this option if you wish. The supporter price pays for your participation at HOCR, plus allows us to offer Changemaker Scholarships, and free access to Steady State Podcast and all our content, while also supporting the accessibility of rowing to a wider community.
APPLY TO ROW IN AN ALLIES WITH OARS BOAT AT HOCR