Seventy-eight Harvard oarsmen, oarswomen, and coxswains will compete-but not too seriously-in the sixth annual Head-of-the-Charles Regatta here Sunday afternoon.

"This is a different kind of a race," explained varsity heavyweight coach Harry Parker, "with a different kind of approach. As in the past, the oarsmen themselves have organized their boats, and set up the competition."

"It's certainly not a race we're pointing toward." added varsity lightweight coach Steve Gladstone, "It's more something the guys just do on their own."

English Style

The race follows the style of English regattas, which are held on rivers (like the Charles) that are too narrow for multi-boat racing. Beginning at noon, boats will be released every ten seconds until 3:30 p.m.

The three-mile course-lengthened from last year's 2.23 miles-begins just below the B.U. bridge and finishes upstream beyond the Cambridge Boat Club building.

The Cambridge Boat Club annually sponsors and runs the event, which this year has attracted 911 competitors in 232 boats from 50 colleges, boat clubs, and high schools in the U.S. and Canada. The race, which includes 13 different divisions, is the biggest in the hemisphere.

In last year's regatta, Harvard crews grabbed three firsts, including senior lightweight eights. and senior heavyweight eights. The Crimson also took the sweepstakes trophy.

In addition to the shells manned by those out for crew, there will be an eight from Kirkland House, and nine persons from Harvard will row in singles. Among the nine are four professors-Alwin Pappenheimer, Arthur Smithies, Gail Pierson, and Reginald Isaacs-who will row in the veteran event.