The Hobart and William Smith rowing teams will host the Challenge on the Canal on Saturday, Oct. 25. The 4.4-kilometer head race will begin on the Cayuga Seneca Canal at 10 a.m.
 
There is limited spectator parking at the Miltenberger and Bennett-Hooper Rowing Center. Overflow parking will be available at Sunset Bowl (341 Boarder City Rd, Waterloo, N.Y.) No parking is allowed in the empty lot adjacent to the Rowing Center or along the neighborhood road.
 
The Statesmen and Herons will host Mercyhurst and Rochester Institute of Technology for the second straight year. Racing will begin with small boats and the first-year /novice eights. Round two will begin at noon and will feature the varsity eights.
 
Last year, William Smith won a pair of events at its home regatta. The Herons dominated the pairs racing, finishing in six of the top seven spots. Leah Wiebe and Megan Bartholomay won the event, finishing 20 seconds ahead of the second-place boat. William Smith's Novice eight also finished first.
 
Hobart won three events in 2024. The Statesmen turned in a dominant performance in the pairs, finishing in the top three spots. Lex Lauer and Sean Madden '25 won the event by nine seconds. The Statesmen finished first overall in the varsity four and collected first and third place finishes in the varsity eight race.