Dear Parents and Athletes,
Henley 4s & 8s Head is run over approximately 3000m upstream on the River Thames from Greenlands to the Henley Royal Regatta finish line (downstream of Henley Bridge). Headington have entered J14 and J15 crews to race at this event.
Please note that all girls should use school transport to get to the event unless she has permission via email from the Head of Rowing to meet us at the event, if dropping your daughter off please ensure that she is there no later than; 8:30am if racing in the 1st division. If your child is only racing in the 2nd division please arrive at 11:30am. This allows enough time to rig boats. Athletes are responsible for finding out from their coaches where and when they need to meet on the day of the race if travelling separately from their team.
Location:
The event is being run from the Meadows just downstream of Leander Club:
Lion Meadow
Henley-on-Thames
RG9 2LP
Please refer to the 'spectators' section below for the best spectator viewing options.
The Draw:
The draw can be found on the event website.
The Headington crew line-ups have been passed onto the girls. Any girls recovering from injury or illness will not race.
Transport:
The bus for will depart at 7am at the latest. Please meet outside the school gym at 6:50am.
Please note that there are boarders and girls who may be sleeping. The ROWERS MUST NOT MAKE ANY NOISE while waiting outside the boarding house.
Transport is available back from Henley however parents are welcome to arrange transport back from the event (there is school transport available back to school for all boarders and for any rower unable to be collected from the event). No girls may depart the event until the trailer is fully loaded.
Itinerary: Henley Fours & Eights Head - 11th February 2023
Please note that there are many girls racing and that it is their responsibility that they follow the coaches instructions and the timings below. Also, once the girls boat they may have to wait on the water before racing so they will need to make sure to have had a loo stop prior to racing and that have warm rowing kit available.
06:50: Meet outside school gym
07:00: Bus departs from Headington.
08:00: Bus arrives at Henley - begin rigging boats
Division One
09:30: Warm up then boat for pre-race training row.
09:45: Dressed and ready for pre-race chat at the trailer. Warm up then boat. Please note: rowers are responsible for ensuring that they have boated in good time, rowers need to have inspected the draw and made note of boating and marshalling times. Crews that are late may not be allowed to race. I have instructed coaches that under no circumstances are they to chase girls to get boated.
by 10:15: In marshalling area (warm kit is needed as rowers may be there for a while)
10:30: Approximate start time: it could be earlier so rowers are to row straight to the start.
After the race any breakages or other equipment issues should be reported to the coaches immediately.
Division Two
11:30: Meet at the trailer and begin rigging
12:30: Warm up then boat for pre-race training row.
12:50: Dressed and ready for pre-race chat at the trailer. Warm up then boat. Please note: rowers are responsible for ensuring that they have boated in good time, rowers need to have inspected the draw and made note of boating and marshalling times. Crews that are late may not be allowed to race. I have instructed coaches that under no circumstances are they to chase girls to get boated.
by 13:15: In marshalling area (warm kit is needed as rowers may be there for a while)
13:30: Approximate start time: it could be earlier so rowers are to row straight to the start.
After the race any breakages or other equipment issues should be reported to the coaches immediately.
from 14:30: De-Rig and load trailer - No girl may depart before the trailer is fully loaded.
Kit and Food
The girls will need:
- Water bottles with electrolyte replacement fluid.
- Food - appropriate for race day, if you are not sure what to bring please have the girls ask their coaches
- A good breakfast before departing (eg: Porridge, toast and a banana).
- Make sure to have a meal for after the race, such as pasta and banana / fruit and some food for after the training row.
- Kit: It will be cold and possibly wet so training and racing kit will be needed.
Make sure you have enough warm and waterproof kit for when you are sitting around. Coxes and athletes will not be allowed to boat if they are not properly attired for the weather conditions.
- Wellington boots as it may be quite muddy.
Spectating
Viewing is possible along the full length of the course from the tow path on the Berkshire side of the river.
Please see the following statement from the race organisers regarding parking:
We strongly encourage competitors and spectators to Car Share - assuming CV-19 rules allow this.
There will be a £10/charge for parking (Towing vehicles, Coaches/Minibuses exempted). The aim of this charge is to reduce the numbers of vehicles on site. Excessive numbers of vehicles I'm afraid cause us issues in terms of space, managing ground conditions and subsequent repair costs.
Please see the following documents:
All event safety documents can be found on the event website
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