Volunteer Areas
Every year, hundreds of volunteers make the Head of the Hooch regatta a possibility. With more than 7,500 volunteer hours fulfilled year-round, 3 out of ever 4 hours is served on-site in Chattanooga during the week of the annual regatta. Your help is needed to continue to make the Head of the Hooch regatta a reality every year.
Volunteer positions are listed below based on the level of rowing experience that is needed (or not). There are several “areas” of service that have multiple opportunities for you to volunteer. Click on the “View Jobs” button to see which positions are available in each volunteer area.
Para Rowing
The Hooch is proud to support para rowing by providing a competitive venue and responsive volunteer support. Meet and assist these inspirational athletes throughout their regatta experience. Moderate lifting and good balance is needed for dock positions. Able-Bodied Rowing Partners row a 2X with Para Rowing Athletes. Hospitality positions require a smiling face and a can-do attitude!
Awards
Congratulate the top boats by issuing medals to the top three competitors in each event. With 80 events, three medal positions, and up to 9 competitors per boat, we need friendly, organized volunteers to keep the medals desk running smoothly. These fun positions do not require any rowing experience and training is provided by an experienced team lead.
Course
The Regatta Course (race buoys and anchors) needs to be prepared, installed, surveyed, maintained, taken down, and stored. Course volunteers work on pontoon boats and launches (jon boats) to make certain our competitors have a great course for racing. Moderate lifting is required. While boating experience is a plus, no rowing experience is required.
Docks
The Hooch is the nation’s 2nd largest regatta – and keeping the Docks and the surrounding area running smoothly is critical.
No Rowing Experience Needed ~ for the volunteers that will perform boat safety checks, recover bow numbers, direct boats once they are off the water, and keep people clear from the path of the boats. The Dock Master will make sure you know what to do. These volunteers work very near the water with great views!
Rowing or Dock Knowledge Helpful ~ for the volunteers that work on the actual docks. Assisting boats out and back in can be quite physical. Quick on-the-dock training is available for these volunteers. If you up for some “hand’s on”, this is the volunteer job for you
Launches
We have nearly 100 launch driving jobs to fill. Some of the jobs are to prepare the launches each day and pack snacks for the persons in the boats. Most launch jobs are boat drivers. This is a great way to experience the Regatta – out on the water – with a referee. Boating experience with an outboard engine is important, and you must agree to abide by regatta safety guidelines.
Parking
No one can compete in the regatta if they (or their boats) can’t get to the regatta. Parking and traffic control is carefully managed to make sure all boat trailers have a place and competitors can get to the venue in a timely manor. Additional support is provided by law enforcement and direction is provided by experienced leads in each area. Rowing experience is needed for the trailer parking area while other positions require no special experience. This is a very important task that needs to be done, Please consider helping in this important process.
Safety & Support
The Hooch has many people working “behind the scenes” to ensure a smooth regatta. Help support the Hooch by working with a Referee in a variety of tasks as Control Commission Support, ensuring that Hooch Programs are abundantly available around the venue, or coordinating Radio Equipment check-out/check-in,
Timing
You can’t get closer to the action than by joining the race timing team. Track start time or finish time for each boat using electronic timing devices. Work with several long-time timing volunteers who have brought fast, accurate, and fair timing to all regatta competitors. Training is provided for all timing volunteers. Neither rowing experience nor prior timing experience is required.
Volunteer Tent
Volunteer Desk ~ Work in the Volunteer Tent and help volunteers check in and out, find where they are going and what to do, hand out volunteer t-shirts, encourage them to enjoy the refreshments. NOTE: Should be comfortable with computers for check in/out.
Volunteer Hospitality ~ Are you an enthusiastic volunteer? Come spoil our volunteers, greet them, show them where refreshments are, etc. in the Hospitality Area of the Volunteer Tent
The Hooch is not possible without the 800+ volunteer jobs being filled. Help our volunteers feel appreciated.
Merchandise Tent
The official merchandise vendor for the Head of the Hooch regatta is Approach Clothing, but this year we will have the opportunity to help staff the tent and be part of the action. On Thursday, a few volunteers will be needed to unload, unpack and set up the merchandise. Jobs on Friday - Sunday will be rockin' and rollin' as volunteers will handle sales and restocking of merchandise on racks. The final Sunday shift will also include helping with closure and repacking of goods at the regatta conclusion. Shifts are six hours, and you will be on your feet. It will be high energy, fast paced environment, but also fun.
Weigh In
Rowers must be within a certain weight range to participate in some events. Weigh-in volunteers check the weights of these participants and insure fair competition for all. Help weigh the rowers in and get them ready for their big events. No experience needed – a weigh in manager will be there with you to show you what to do.
GENERAL PUBLIC
Most volunteering opportunities at the Head of the Hooch regatta do not require any rowing experience!
ROWING EXPERIENCE
Volunteers around the docks and rowing with para rowers require rowing experience.
Para Rowing
The Hooch is proud to support para rowing by providing a competitive venue and responsive volunteer support. Meet and assist these inspirational athletes throughout their regatta experience. Moderate lifting and good balance is needed for dock positions. Able-Bodied Rowing Partners row a 2X with Para Rowing Athletes. Hospitality positions require a smiling face and a can-do attitude!