Just returned from watching my daughter row in her second Head of the Charles Regatta. She rows for The Brooks School, my alma mater, and is a US National rowing champion in the women’s fours. There was much anticipation for today’s race as she is being courted and recruited by college coaches.
A “head” race is a form of rowing invented by the British which permits a huge number of boats to compete — against the clock — on a narrow river. Boats line up in order of their bow numbers, and cross the starting line at 15 second intervals, racing upsteam to a finish 3 miles, or 5000 meters away. Passing other boats is a good thing. Being passed is a spirit crusher. The best places to watch are the curves and bridges where some magnificant crashes take place.
My daughter’s boat started 12th in the Youth Women’s Fours, but it’s too soon for an official result and finished 38th out of of 50. Not good. But they had a blast.
Video to follow once Adobe Premier finishes rendering the clips. Video was a failure. Out of focus and tons of wind noise over the microphone.
I did not row, having missed most of the summer training season due to May’s bike accident. Also, entries in my event — Senior Master Singles 40+ is very competitive and come down to the luck of the draw. Next year perhaps. This is a very good fall event and one I miss, having rowed in it about a dozen times since the early 70s.
