Steady State Podcast

Lasting Legacy: 60 Years of The Head Of The Charles Regatta


Listen Later

In 2025, the Head of the Charles regatta celebrates 60 years - so we thought it was a perfect opportunity to reflect and look ahead at this event that brings together thousands of rowers and fans to the shores of the Charles River in Boston. We’re incredibly honored to talk with D’Arcy MacMahon, one of three original founders of the regatta AND Fred Schoch, whose tenure as regatta executive director stretched 33 years. We’ve paired these two legends together to explore the vision of the founders and the stewardship of that vision over the last six decades.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Episode intro and welcome

03:53 - Rowing Week
05:41 - The Huddle
08:22 - Hot Seat Q&A
13:24 - D’Arcy’s fun childhood racing at CBC was the inspiration for HOCR
16:44 - Fred’s youth was dominated by time at the Princeton boathouse where his Dad was coach
19:22 - D’Arcy and Fred are no strangers to racing at HOCR
22:46 - The true life (and death) story of a made up man: Charles Attager
25:14 - D’Arcy is dumbfounded by the longevity and growth of HOCR
30:23 - On carrying the legacy forward
32:30 - Setting the course in 1965 with D’Arcy’s mom’s bike odometer
36:36 - Volunteer spirit of service (starts with a great t-shirt)
39:12 - Support from the MDC, Massachusetts, and corporate sponsors
42:18 - Getting results: taking a cue from golf’s leaderboards 
43:39 - HOCR and the community
45:40 - Growing the  international field, and considering travel logistics for all crews
50:38 - Best place to watch the races
52:05 - Head of the Charles Charity
52:49 - Spirit of the regatta: fun!
54:24 - Steady State Network news and notes

.

To see photos of D'Arcy, Fred, and the Head of the Charles, and get links to the people, clubs, and events mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes on our website.

.

This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Supporters.

.

Steady State Podcast is hosted and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering, books show guests, and is our sponsor and donor coordinator. Rachel writes our scripts and e-newsletter, and manages the website and social media. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.

.

SHOP SSN GEAR: www.steadystatenetwork.com/shop

SIGN UP FOR THE SSN NEWSLETTER: www.steadystatenetwork.com/newsletter

MAKE A DIFFERENCE: www.steadystatenetwork.com/support 

Check out more Steady State Network here: 

FB - /SteadyStateNetwork

IG - @SteadyStateNetwork
BLUESKY - steadystatenetwork.bsky.social

FB - /AllieswithOars

IG - @AllieswithOars

Connect on FB and IG with the hosts:

Rachel Freedman - @RowSource
Tara Morgan - @CmonBarber

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Steady State PodcastBy Steady State Network

  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5
  • 5

5

13 ratings


More shows like Steady State Podcast

View all
This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

91,055 Listeners

Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

44,019 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

38,478 Listeners

Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,670 Listeners

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,764 Listeners

The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,237 Listeners

99% Invisible by Roman Mars

99% Invisible

26,159 Listeners

Song Exploder by Hrishikesh Hirway

Song Exploder

5,991 Listeners

The Rachel Maddow Show by Rachel Maddow, MSNBC

The Rachel Maddow Show

36,951 Listeners

The History Chicks : A Women's History Podcast by The History Chicks | QCODE

The History Chicks : A Women's History Podcast

7,983 Listeners

RowingChat by Rebecca Caroe

RowingChat

18 Listeners

The Indicator from Planet Money by NPR

The Indicator from Planet Money

9,516 Listeners

Strict Scrutiny by Crooked Media

Strict Scrutiny

5,742 Listeners

Decent Rowing Podcast by Lachlan Davey and Ken Davey

Decent Rowing Podcast

18 Listeners

Letters from an American by Heather Cox Richardson

Letters from an American

5,722 Listeners