Now in its 43rd year, the Head of the Hooch regatta has grown into one of the largest rowing events in the world, with over 2,000 entries in youth, collegiate, and masters events. Held annually in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the regatta showcases the deep-rooted rowing culture that is a part of the Southeast, along with competitive racing across the weekend. For many teams, the Head of the Hooch serves as the last test of speed before the long months of winter training begin.
Belen Jesuit Preparatory School
Arguably the most well-known programme in the field, Belen Jesuit Crew enters the 2025 Head of the Hooch as the defending gold medal winners and top-seeded crew. The Miami-based powerhouse has long been a fixture among the nation’s elite, finishing seventh at the USRowing Youth National Championships last season and consistently ranking within the top ten programmes in the country. Though they’ve kept a relatively light racing schedule this fall, aside from sending a U17 eight to the Head of the Charles, Belen Jesuit’s reputation for discipline, technical precision, and composure keeps them firmly in the spotlight. Starting first down the course, they’ll once again set the standard for the rest of the field to try to match.
Atlanta Junior Rowing Association
The Atlanta Juniors enter this weekend as serious challengers for a top medal position after a robust 12th-place finish at the Head of the Charles regatta earlier this month. The crew from Atlanta has demonstrated speed and consistency throughout the head racing season, garnering a second-place finish at the Music City Head Race, finishing just one second behind the Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club over 5000 meters. To add even more excitement to this event, Atlanta will be starting directly behind the Cincinnati Juniors on the Tennessee River. This could potentially give Atlanta a positive advantage, as the adrenaline of chasing another crew could give them the edge over Cincinnati. However, it could also lead to disaster if an incident were to occur in front of them or while they are passing.
Cincinnati Junior Rowing Club
Representing one of two major Midwest powerhouses making the trip down to Tennessee this weekend. The Cincinnati Juniors Rowing Club entered this weekend’s event with clear ambitions for gold. They had an outstanding performance in the 2024 rendition of this regatta, finishing second to only Belen Jesuit. This means that they will start second and attempt to catch up to Belen while simultaneously trying to pull away from the Atlanta junior varsity eight. CJRC has put together an impressive fall campaign, earning a second-place finish at the Head of the Ohio and winning both the Blake Haxton Regatta and Music City Head Race.
Chicago Rowing Foundation
Serving as one of the most established rowing clubs in the Midwest, the Chicago Rowing Foundation enters the Head of the Hooch with a strong record. At the Milwaukee River Challenge, Chicago showcased the remarkable depth of their programme, with their first and second varsity eights placing first and second overall, an imposing result given that the second varsity outstroked several respectable high school and club first varsity crews. The boys from Chicago row a very clean stroke that emphasises precision within the bladework and control throughout the drive. Chicago’s technical proficiency and efficiency on the water could give them the edge over five kilometres, making them a formidable crew to watch closely in Chattanooga.
Prediction
I believe that the Atlanta Juniors varsity eight will walk away with the gold medal at this year’s Head of the Hooch. After an impressive showing at the Head of the Charles, they’ve built serious momentum that will be hard to interrupt. I expect Cincinnati Juniors to be following closely in second, along with Chicago and Belen battling for the last medal.
