Watch the official Head of the Charles video on YouTube. Over the next month you'll come to eat, sleep, and breathe this course—that starts with introducing yourself to its twists, turns, and landmarks.

Continue to build familiarity with the regatta by reading the official Head of the Charles rules, consulting the official race course map, and reviewing the official bridge traffic guide. Be sure to expand the section containing 2025 rule updates.

Watch the video recording of the official HOCR coxswain clinic from CoxswaiNation / Yaz Farooq. This recording includes lots of useful footage of tricky race situations and how to navigate them successfully.

Study head racing strategy in general. We have two podcast episodes on this: 016 | Prep to Chute & 017 | Chute to Finish Line. See also: Short and Snarky Guide to Coxing and Rowing  (affiliate link - as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases).

Read the row2k article: "How to Cox the Head of the Charles Like a Pro". This includes great photos of important landmarks on the course.

Watch several Head of the Charles race videos / listen to audio recordings, and identify one or two that you like. Pete Cipollone's 1997 race recording is a classic, and there are hundreds of others on YouTube.

Take care of your physical and vocal health: plan a workout, hydrate, and get to bed on time. Looking for exercises that will strengthen your body and voice for coxing? Our Episode 009 guest Deirdre McLoughlin and Episode 019 guest Linda Guida have you covered.

Make your regatta packing list. Whether you're local or traveling to the regatta from far away, you'll want to make sure you remember important items like your cox box and waterproof clothing. We have episodes on coxing attire and coxing gear to help you out!

Develop your initial race plan with your crew and coach. What types of moves will you make at key course landmarks? What technical, informational, and motivational calls will your crew need? For guidance, watch coxswain Coral Kadsen's Crush the Course: Strategy presentation on YouTube, and check out this Ready all, row blog post about HOCR race plans.

Make your "disaster plan." What will you do if you launch really late? What bridge arches are available if you get stuck behind a slower boat that won't yield? What if a rower catches a boat-stopping crab?

Re-watch the official Head of the Charles video on YouTube. This approach of periodically re-engaging with material is a learning technique called distributed practice, which we mentioned in Episode 002. HOCR also offers an official coxswain clinic.

Hear additional approaches to this challenging course from coxswain Coral Kadsen's Crush the Course: In-Depth Course Walkthrough presentation on YouTube. If reading is more your style, check out these two articles from the Ready all, row blog about steering the bridges and steering the turns on the Head of the Charles course. p.s. Did you know we had author Kayleigh Durm as a guest on Episode 005?

Re-watch your favorite video(s)/recording(s) from Day 6. Can you predict which course landmark is coming next in the video, or can you visualize the course as you listen to the audio? You can find more in the coxswain recording database from Coxswain Resources.

Talk to a fellow coxswain who has raced at HOCR. At this point in your preparation, you likely have a few questions about the regatta. Don't have someone you can chat with? Check out our Discord community!

Visualize the course that you'll take during your race day warmup, from your launch site down to the start line. Plan with your coach and crew what you'll do during that time. Can you mentally walk through the course in reverse? For guidance, check out the official HOCR video from 3:30-8:30, this Ready all, row blog post, and the official rules and guidelines Section 7: Traffic Rules.

Quiz yourself on the HOCR course and rules. This is an evidence-based learning strategy called retrieval practice. We've got you covered with a 20-question Head of the Charles quiz for coxswains. Play online or follow along on our Instagram.

Visualize your race. How will you approach each bridge? When you look to your left and right, what boathouses, buoys, and landmarks will you see? Where will your point be during each part of the course? Looking for even more ideas, tips, and perspectives? Try one of these articles: [one] [two] [three] [four]

Don't forget to prepare for practice day (Friday) on the HOCR course. Check out Episode 038 for guidance on how to approach this unique day. Review the official rules and guidelines Section 8: Practice Rules.

Make your travel/race day playlist. Do you need songs that pump you up, or calm you down? Will you want to listen to your favorite race recording one last time, as inspiration the night before your race?

Check out and optimize your shell. Test the steering and sound. (If you're renting a boat, do this as soon as you know what shell you're renting.) Are there any minor annoyances that you can fix? A bowloader headrest that digs into your neck? Frayed wiring that you have to hold in a weird way to get the speakers to work?

Review and refine your race plan with your crew and coach. Make adjustments if needed. Implement the plan during practices and any upcoming races, so that you and the rowers internalize it.

Make your race day index card. CoxPod listeners will know this is host Breana's favorite prep strategy. Write down your race plan, bow/event number, calls you'd like to make, course landmarks, and other info.

Review the official rules and guidelines Section 9: Starting Procedures. There are unique aspects of this process—for instance, boats separate according to odd or even bow numbers.

Get up close and personal with the Charles River on Google Maps. Click here to be dropped onto the map at the HOCR start line, and navigate using "street" view.

Pack. Check the weather forecast for regatta weekend and make any necessary adjustments to the packing list you created on Day 8. Did you remember your cox box, headset, and charger?​ Also, make time today for some self-care.

Review the course and official rules using whatever materials you've found the most helpful so far.

Remember to review any rule updates for the current year. For 2025, note the clarification regarding passing around BU bridge (Rule 9.7), and note the new location of the Singles and Doubles Launch (under the Practice, Parking, and Launching tab).

Confirm important information with your crew and coach about meeting times and locations for your Friday practice and weekend race. When your team trailer parks in the coming days, be sure to have that info as well.

Walk the course, from the start line to the finish line. Stand on the bridges and envision the points you'll take when you're on the water. If the course buoys are set, take note of where they are.

Practice on the official Head of the Charles course. Take note of what it feels like to see the course landmarks in person. Notice where the buoys are set. If you can, try taking the major turns at race pace. Check out Episode 038 for guidance on how to approach this day.

Race! Take a deep breath. You are prepared for this. Good luck to all competitors, we wish you the best.

Take a moment to reflect. What about your race went well? What could be improved for next time?

Thanks for joining us on this journey, we invite you to share any feedback you have on our contact page or on our Discord.​