Volunteer Information Guide

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What is the Head Of The Charles?

The event is the largest three-day rowing event in the world and pulls in over 10,000 rowers, representing 819 clubs, colleges, and universities from an international list of competitors. During this event, 73 races will run the three-mile course. The race starts at the Boston University Boathouse and continues for three miles upstream (east to west) past Harvard University and Cambridge Boat Club, to the finish line at Herter Park off of Soldier’s Field Road. The Regatta has only a minimal paid staff and relies on its volunteers to function. Some of these volunteers have been helping to organize and run the event for more than thirty years. We hope that you will consider coming back next year to volunteer again! Your participation and experience are the lifeblood of the Regatta.

FALS OPS Overview Presentation

When is the Regatta?

The 2024 Regatta includes racing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday:

  • Friday, October 18th: Races from 7:45am to 10:26am followed by open practice from 10:30am to 6:00pm.
    • Friday Shifts:
    1. 7:00am to 11:00am (morning)
    2. 10:00am to 6:00pm (mid-day)
  • Saturday, October 19th: Races from 7:45am to 3:54pm.
    • Saturday Shifts:
    1. 7:00am to 1:00pm
    2. 12:00pm to 5:00pm
    3. 7:00am to 5:00pm
  • Sunday, October 20th: Races from 7:45am to 3:54pm.
    • Sunday Shifts:
    1. 7:00am to 1:00pm
    2. 12:00pm to 5:00pm
    3. 7:00am to 5:00pm

If you have any questions please email at FALSops@hocr.org.

Please arrive at Dock 4 no later than 30 minutes prior to your scheduled shift for training and assignment.

What have you signed up for?

You have signed up for the “FALS Operations” committee.

FALS stands for the Finish Area Launch Site. Our goal is to launch and land competitors both safely and quickly while ensuring that all of our participants have a great experience. We are the face of the Regatta to nearly 80% of our racers and many thousands of spectators. It’s a challenging and engaging part of the Regatta. We encounter lots of excited racers, coaches, and parents, all trying to get to and from the water which makes for a challenging weekend. Our job is to temper that excitement (and exhaustion) with a focus on safety, efficiency, good humor, clear communications, and a desire to make everyone’s experience the best it can possibly be.

We work hard all day, regardless of the weather – be it sun, rain, or snow. You’ll be standing and possibly walking or carrying oars for much of that time. But it’s not all physical work. You’ll be speaking with world-class racers, coaches, and some uniquely colorful Bostonian spectators while you volunteer. This will involve things like answering questions, giving instructions, and conveying information that is critical to the launching and landing process. Our number one goal is safety. Please bring to the attention of the Committee Co-chairs anything that you feel affects competitor safety. We want to have everyone leave the Regatta saying that it was a safe, fair, and enjoyable experience.

We are supported by other FALS committees such as parking, setup, and docks, among several others.

Where are we based?

You’ll be working on docks 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the Boston side of the Charles River somewhere between the Eliot Bridge (just upstream from Cambridge Boat Club) and Northeastern University’s boathouse, beyond the Event’s finish line.

Note: Docks close to the start line for singles and doubles launching are operated by the SADL Committee and will be known as SADL. Dock 2 is operated by the Hudson Boat company.

Each dock is labeled with signage to indicate the dock number and the racer entrance and exit corridors, if any. Here is a link to more details on the Head of the Charles course (https://www.hocr.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/21HOCR-Map-Tearaway-v1.pdf). In this “Course Map” you will notice the area on the left-hand side labeled “FINISH AREA LAUNCHING SITE”. This is the FALS area where you will be working. A more detailed map of FALS appears below.

With crowds, anticipate a 20-minute walk between dock 1 and dock 6.

What do I need to do before I arrive for my shift?

  1. Bring a government-issued photo ID. You will NEED it to register as a volunteer and pick up your official HOCR volunteer premium garment.
  2. Wear comfortable, warm layers of clothing. Check the weather forecast before you leave your house. You will be standing and walking for much of your shift, and it will all be outdoors. We do not have any covered shelter at FALS. Be prepared for the possibility of cold, wind, rain and mud. Please bring waterproof footwear, clothing that you think will keep you comfortable throughout your shift, gloves and hand warmers (available at sporting goods stores). Do not wear flip-flops! We will also ask you to wear your volunteer premium on top of your other layers.
  3. Bring any snacks and drinks you’ll need to get through your shift. If you know you’ll need coffee, please bring a thermos. If you’ll need an energy bar or two, bring them. If you sometimes need an inhaler or other medications when you’re in the outdoors and working, please bring them. Lunch will be served to all volunteers after the morning shift, before the afternoon shift, and during the Friday shift.
  4. Bring your cell phone. We may need to contact you, or you may need to contact us throughout the weekend, or you may need to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
  5. Leave your valuables at home. FALS Ops is NOT able to provide secure storage. Please leave your valuables hidden in your car, with a friend at the Regatta, or at home.
  6. Bring a friendly and patient attitude. You will be interacting with a number of competitors and spectators during your shift. You are the human face of the Regatta for them. Please be kind and patient, but firm and logical with the people you meet. Sometimes the people you will be interacting with may be frantic or frustrating but don’t let it change your attitude. If you would like help with a question or problem, please contact one of the FALS Ops co-chairs and we will help you resolve the issue. You’ll see us walking between the docks throughout your shift. Each dockmaster and flow launchmaster will have a radio and can get us there in seconds to help you out.

What do I need to do when I arrive for my shift?

  1. Please pick up your volunteer premium before your shift. You are required to have a government-issued photo ID to pick up your premium and to sign your volunteer waiver! The Volunteer committee and premiums are at the volunteer tent located at Attager Row at the Finish Area Launch Site (FALS) off Soldiers Field Road. The tent is open from 6AM – 5PM on Friday, 6AM – 5PM on Saturday and 6AM – 12PM on Sunday. Look for the “Volunteer” signs in the area. NOTE: try-ons for sizing of your vest will not be permitted.
  2. Be on time. Be prepared for delays. Mandatory training sessions will take place before each shift, and we will be checking names and issuing name tags. It is very important that volunteers be on time for training and that you have your volunteer premium with you. The meeting point for the beginning of all shifts and for training is our dedicated tent near Dock 4. The precise location of the tent is near the First Aid Tent near Christian Herter Community Garden. Shift arrival times are:
    1. Friday Shifts:
      1. Morning Shift, arrive no later than 6:30am
      2. Midday Shift, arrive no later than 9:30am
    2. Saturday and Sunday Shifts
      1. Morning Shift, arrive no later than 6:30am
      2. Afternoon Shift, arrive no later than 11:30am

Please note: You will receive a lunch at approximately noon. There will also be vendors nearby who sell additional food and drink but you may be so busy that you have a hard time breaking away. Consider bringing your own beverage container and snacks. New in 2024, we are trying to account for all special lunch requests, so hopefully everyone will get the type of lunch they would like, but be advised, it is not a guarantee.

Parking and Transportation

Plan on biking or using public transportation. This year, unfortunately, we do not have access to parking passes for volunteers.

Public parking on Friday and Saturday is difficult at best. If you plan to drive, plan LOTS of extra time to find a spot and walk (potentially quite a long way) to get to the volunteer premium tent, the pre-shift training, and your assigned dock. Local businesses are often very vigorous with towing any cars that look like they are parking for the Regatta. Public transportation, ride share, and bikes are the best way to access the Regatta. Memorial Drive from Cambridge Boat Club to Western Avenue will likely be closed on both Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday parking is available on Birmingham Parkway, Brighton, MA 02135. Drivers should obey posted regulations and should not park after 6pm. Drivers who have traditionally parked on Greenough Boulevard may encounter difficulties this year because of new landscaping and the creation of a bike lane.

For more info: https://www.hocr.org/spectators/parking/

There will be a shuttle bus from Birmingham Parkway to the FALS AREA, but the frequency and timing will be very limited: 7:30-10:00am all three days to the course and 3:00-6:00pm (Friday) / 3:00-7:00pm (Sat + Sun) back to parking.  No shuttles in between.  It does not sound like there will be any shuttles along the course.  Please plan accordingly.

Service and Trademarks

The Regatta is run on a very tight budget. Much of the money comes in through licensing and sponsorship agreements obtained from the sale of officially licensed merchandise. Some people every year try to use the Regatta to raise money for either themselves or their organizations without working with the licensing folks to do so.

If you see anyone using the Regatta’s name without the registered trademark or in a way that leads you to question if the Regatta would approve, please take a photo or note down where you are and call (617) 868-6200. Please do not confront the vendor directly. Let the Trademark Enforcement folks know what you have seen, and they will investigate and interact with the vendor, if action is warranted.

In an Emergency

If you see an emergency situation:

  • Use Radio Channel 1 or call 911
  • Have the dockmaster or launchmaster inform the committee co-chairs by race radio of the emergency so we can head to the scene.
  • Please stay calm and be ready to provide the person who answers with:
  1. the nature of the emergency
  2. your location (Dock number or closest location code*)
  3. your name
  4. your phone number

*There will be signs posted throughout the area with location codes. Report this code to emergency services. If an emergency occurs at a dock, simply refer to the dock number.

The HOCR emergency number acts as a clearinghouse for all emergencies on or next to the river during the Regatta and ensures that the closest, appropriate emergency staff can help resolve the situation. They are in direct and constant contact with the Boston and Cambridge, fire, police, emergency divers, and paramedics.

DO NOT ADMINISTER FIRST AID unless you have been qualified to do so. If at all possible to do safely, have the person move off to the side so that launching and landing may proceed. If it is not possible, shut the dock down for launching and landing until directed otherwise by a FALS Ops co-chair.

Committee Contacts

The co-chairs of the FALS Ops committee may be best contacted during the Regatta using one of each dock’s race radios. As a backup, the FALS Ops co-chair mobile phone numbers are as follows:

  • Marran Linsky –       (617) 686-2292
  • Rob McGurrin –       (781) 859-9674
  • Katie Campbell –     (781) 640-7538
  • Chris van der Lugt –(617) 331-4789
  • Tom Meier –             (781) 248-4551
  • Lindsay Yost –          (206) 890-6615
  • Chris Hastings –       (978) 870-7578

We have a dedicated email address for our committee. It is FALSops@hocr.org and will be checked by the co-chairs at least a few times a day.

Thank you again for volunteering with the FALS Operations Committee. We look forward to working with you at the 2024 Head of the Charles Regatta!