The George Mason rowing team opens the fall portion of the schedule this weekend, competing in the 49th Head of the Charles Regatta. The Patriots were scheduled to open the fall season this past weekend at the Head of the Occoquan, but due to inclement weather, the event was cancelled.

Mason will race a varsity 8 boat this Saturday at approximately 2:20 p.m.

Last season, the Patriots took eighth place amongst 34 teams competing in the event. Mason finished with a time of 17:46.58 to claim eighth.

The Head of the Charles began in 1965 and has grown to become the ultimate two-day rowing event on the banks of the Charles River. Over 9,000 athletes from around the world travel to compete in the event. The regatta grew to a two-day event in 1997 and attracts up to 300,000 spectators.

The two-day regatta begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday and runs through Sunday. Complete results will be listed on the official regatta website at www.hocr.org.