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Types of racing

Regatta

ImageThe regatta season begins in April and involves side-by-side racing. There are often several heats in what can be a long day's racing. A heat might be first thing in the morning and if successful the final may not be until late afternoon.


Regattas taking place on rivers (such as Henley Royal Regatta) will probably only have 2 or 3 racing lanes. The river course is unlikely to be straight and there will be other challenges to negotiate such as the bank…The larger regattas (such as the National Schools Regatta in Nottingham) are often held on purpose-built lakes and allow for six lane racing. The photo below is an international regatta on the large natural Lake Rotsee in Lucerne, Switzerland.

 HeadImage

Head races are generally run in the winter between September and March and over a longer course than regattas. Each boat is sent down the course, one after another, and timed between the start and the finish line. Competitors are divided into racing categories such as age (juniors (J12-J18) and seniors), gender and experience (novice, senior and elite). Results are published later on the race organiser's website. Popular head races include the School’s Head of the River and Four’s Head on the Thames.

 

Bumps

ImageThe 'Bumps' evolved on rivers too narrow for side-by-side racing. Crews progress up a division by bumping the boat in front of them without being hit by the boat behind. 'Blades' are awarded to the successful crews. This sort of racing is normally carried out by college crews at Oxford and Cambridge Universities but is also run by some ARA clubs.


After my first World Cup win at Eton in 2005, I dashed back to the Summer Eights bumps event in Oxford and to re-join the Oriel College crew – a regatta and bumps in the same day!

Indoor

ImageCompetitions on indoor rowing machines range from 2k time trials for individuals to knockout competitions between teams of athletes. Competitions run all year round and a number of inter-school competitions are held as well as races for veterans. The highlight of the indoor racing calendar is the British Indoor Rowing Championships, which is held at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham and attracts about 3,000 competitors between the age of 10 and “90+”!