The anticipation had been building for weeks, but on race day at the Head of the Charles, the nerves settled into a focus.
The regatta is the signature fall event for rowing teams around the world, and the energy coursing through the Charles River is unlike any other race.
With over 11,000 athletes competing in the three-day spectacle, Northeastern’s men’s and women’s teams arrived ready to test their speed against some of the best rowers on the planet.
The iconic regatta — a 4,702-meter course known for its twists, turns, and unpredictable conditions — requires a unique combination of stamina, strategy, and mental toughness. Something Northeastern junior Aiden Murphy knows well, as it’s emphasized in the long buildup of preparation.
“In the fall, we’re doing a lot of long mileage,” he said. “We’ll do 20,000 meter sessions, which is about an hour and 30 minutes on the water. We do that six times a week.”
This endurance training is critical when racing at the Head of the Charles, where rowers are required to maintain focus over an extended period, battling both the physical demands of the course and the competition’s relentless pace.
“We’ll also come back on land and do two lift sessions a week and ERG on the rowing machine three times a week for an hour each,” Murphy added. An Erg, is a rowing machine used by athletes to simulate rowing on the water while building endurance on land.
“In total, it’s about 18-19 hours per week, but a lot of guys put in extra work as well, with biking or other activities. So it ends up being more like 20-22 hours a week.”
The preparation is demanding, but it’s all aimed at performing under the pressure of race day. The Head of the Charles, which also stands as the largest three-day regatta in the world, is unlike any other event on the rowing calendar.
“This is the closest a rower is going to get to rowing in an arena,” said senior rower Riley Fanning-Hughes, reflecting on the electric atmosphere surrounding the race. “When you come around Eliot Bridge and hear that many people cheering for you, it’s completely unique.”
For Fanning-Hughes and her teammates on the women’s team, the fall season revolves around training for this moment.
“We’re in 20-hour weeks right now,” she explained. “Six days a week — we’re up and out on the Charles in the morning for water training, and we have lifts three days a week.”
Preparing for the Head of the Charles involves more than just time on the water; the team also incorporates ERG training and even running up all 37 flights of Harvard Stadium — a grueling but effective way to build strength and endurance.
In the Men’s Championship Eights, Northeastern’s championship A squad secured a strong 10th-place finish out of 30 crews, clocking in at 14:04.130. Among collegiate entries, the Huskies ranked seventh out of 15, holding their ground in an elite field that also featured national teams and powerhouse programs from across the globe.
Northeastern’s championship B crew also had an impressive showing in the Championship Eights, placing 20th overall and fourth out of seven in the junior varsity classification with a time of 14:20.434.
In the Women’s Championship Eights, Northeastern finished 24th out of 30 boats with a time of 16:33.814. Among collegiate entries, the Huskies placed 12th out of 16, facing tough competition from both national teams and other top-tier university crews.
In the Men’s Club Eights, Northeastern’s club A boat posted an impressive performance, finishing third out of 36 boats with a time of 14:33.197. The Huskies’ club B team also delivered a strong showing, finishing seventh with a time of 15:00.080. Both crews placed near the top of the standings in a competitive field. These results, plus the performance of the championship B crew, showcase the depth and strength of Northeastern’s rowing program in both the varsity and club categories.
In the Women’s Club Eights, Northeastern’s club A, secured an 11th-place finish out of 42 boats, clocking in at 17:04.130. The Huskies’ club B followed closely behind, finishing in 14th with a time of 17:19.495. In the Women’s Club Fours, Northeastern’s crew finished 20th out of 49 boats, clocking in at 19:17.631. All of the boats entered in the club categories displayed strong efforts in the competitive field.
As both the men’s and women’s teams look ahead to the winter training months and spring racing season, the Head of the Charles serves as a key benchmark and serves as an opportunity to measure progress and set the tone for the coming months.