Chattanooga plays host to the second-largest rowing regatta in the nation this weekend as Head of the Hooch takes over downtown and the riverfront.

Organizers say this year’s competition will see record numbers, with an expected 12,000 visitors and almost 9,000 rowers coming to the Scenic City.

That would mark an increase of more than 25 percent in competitors over last year, said Bob Doak, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Chattanooga’s rowing competition is topped in size only by Boston’s Head of the Charles Regatta, he said.

Head of the Hooch Regatta Director Daniel Wolfe applauded Chattanooga and Hamilton County officials for cooperating to put together such a large event.

“But more than that, they have put fun into the regatta,” he said.

The Hooch, sponsored by the Lookout Rowing Club of Chattanooga and the Atlanta Rowing Club, will attract high school, college, masters, youth and adult club racers from 30 states and Canada.

“It’s become kind of an annual pilgrimage that these people enjoy,” Mr. Doak said.

The event originated in 1980 on the Chattahoochee River in Roswell, Ga., just north of Atlanta, before being moved to the Olympic venue in Gainesville, Ga. After outgrowing both Georgia sites, the event moved to Chattanooga in 2004.

Mr. Doak said the event’s continued growth in Chattanooga was a pleasant surprise, given the state of the economy. An economic benefit of more than $4 million is expected for Chattanooga, he said.

Mr. Wolfe said 2009 competitors range from 12 years old to 77 years old.

“That just shows you that rowing is not only for the Olympic athletes that we send around the world every year,” he said. “People of all ages, all physical shapes, forms and heights can come and row — from the youngest to the oldest and anything in between.”

This year, more events are being offered to create a festival atmosphere, Mr. Doak said. The Hooch will offer hot air balloon rides, a history of rowing exhibit and vendors from the Chattanooga Market on Saturday.

While teams arrived Friday, the Hooch offered rowing lessons for the first time. Participants started on an erg — a rowing machine similar to stationary bike — before heading out on a coaching barge, said Mary Margaret Moore, head of the instruction program and former rower for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Lessons are unique at such a large regatta, Mrs. Moore said. Crewing isn’t usually considered a spectator sport, she said, because the action usually takes place so far away from onlookers.

“Usually a spectator does not get a chance to go through the motions of a sport,” she said. “This learn-to-row thing is just so unique because any average Joe can do it. I think Chattanooga is really thinking outside the box on this one.”

The rowing lessons and hot air balloon rides are fundraising efforts of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure’s weekend Row for a Cure campaign, said organizer Jean Passarello. The events, along with four race events featuring 800 rowers sporting pink T-shirts in support of the cause, hope to raise $50,000 this weekend, Ms. Passarello said.

“One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their life,” she said. “So our sport, which features boats of eight rowers, is uniquely suited for this cause.”

Henry Magnunson, president of the 100-member Lookout Rowing Club, is one of about a dozen local club members racing this weekend. He said the group travels throughout the Southeast, but prefers Chattanooga because of the ideal racing conditions.

“It’s definitely the best race we go to,” he said. “We’re very proud of what’s happening here.”

IF YOU GO

Races run from 7:45 a.m. to 5:14 today, and 8:15 a.m. to 12:37 p.m. Sunday.

By the numbers

* 12,000 — Number of people expected to attend the event

* 8,600 — Number of rowers and coxswains competing

* 25% — Increase in participants over last year

* $4.3 million — Expected economic benefit for Chattanooga

* 5 — Number of years Head of the Hooch has been held in Chattanooga

WHERE TO WATCH

* Chattanooga Pier: Racing teams will launch on docks near the pier, where hundreds of boats will be shuffled in and out of the water.

* Ross’s Landing: The finish line is directly downstream of the Market Street Bridge. Race announcers will be at the landing, keeping spectators updated.

* The Walnut Street Bridge: Rowers will sprint toward the finish line as they pass Maclellan Island and under the south end of the bridge.

* The Bluff View Arts District: The view from the sculpture garden overlook will allow spectators to see the teams racing from upstream.

* The Tennessee Riverpark: Teams will come very close to the south shore as they make their last turn onto the final straightaway.

* Coolidge Park: Though most of the racing will be along the south shore, spectators can see teams rowing upstream along the north shore prior to racing.

Source: Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

COMING SUNDAY

Read about today’s activities at the Head of the Hooch Regatta.

Staff Photo by Danielle Moore The Miami Rowing Club practices in front of Ross's Landing before competing in the Head of the Hooch on Saturday. About 1,200 boats are registered to compete in the 5,000-meter head race tomorrow.