UCLA Men's Rowing begins its 2024-25 campaign at the Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) with the expectations and goal long associated with UCLA Athletics - to compete with the best in the nation and win the National Championship. 

Last spring the Bruins finished a close third to Notre Dame at American Collegiate Rowing Association (ACRA) National Championship Regatta, after winning the event in 2023. The 92nd year of UCLA Men's Rowing begins in Boston, MA with the focus of winning the Collegiate 4 event at one of the largest rowing events in the World. The HOCR format is typical of the fall rowing season and features a long distance upriver course with staggered starts and crews racing against the clock.

The confidence is not unwarranted as Max Ryan, Nick Ryan, and Toby Gajar were part of the crew that started in 40th position and finished 4th last year. Their reward is to start 4th this year and gain the advantage of less boat traffic to pass and allow coxswain Maddy Dufour to concentrate on navigating the turns and bridges of the twisting 3 mile course. Team veteran and University of Washington transfer Jack Patzer won the competition to fill the fourth seat. Recent history is also on the side of the Bruins as UCLA won the event the last time it entered in 2019 after finishing 3rd the previous year. 

The summer training and racing of twin brothers Max and Nick Ryan and Toby Gajar ensured them a return trip to Boston. Max and Nick represented UCLA at the Under 23 World Championships trials in the pair, finishing 2nd in a field of five. Toby Gajar trained at the elite California Rowing Club which produced 15 athletes for the Paris Olympics.

The Collegiate 4 event at HOCR takes place at 3:00 PM EDT on Sunday, October 20, 2024.


The event may be livestreamed here: https://www.hocr.org/the-regatta/livestreams/