Schools' Head of the River Race
Schools' Head of the River Race | |
---|---|
Frequency | Annual |
Location(s) | Championship Course, River Thames in London, England |
Years active | 1946 – present |
Previous event | 15 March 2019 |
Next event | 24 March 2021 |
Participants | approx. 300 crews |
Organised by | Westminster School |
Website | www |
The Schools' Head of the River Race (SHORR) is the UK's largest school-age processional (head rowing) race and is organised by Westminster School for crews aged between 14 and 18 years old. It is held in Spring, the end of the head race season.
The race forms a leg of the national kudos of winning a rowing 'triple' in which occasionally an indefeasible Junior Eight (J18 8+ or WJ18 8+) wins this race, the National Schools Regatta, the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta or the Peabody Cup at Henley Women's Regatta.
Course
The race is held annually on the River Thames in London, England, on a course from Chiswick Bridge in Mortlake to Westminster School Boat Club flagpole in Putney. It is rowed with the tide and is in the opposite direction to The Boat Race.[1]
Race format
History
The event in its infancy offered a shortened course for smaller boats, such as J15 4s, J15 B 8's, and Maiden 4s. The shortened course ran from Hammersmith Bridge (from London Corinthian Sailing Club) to the regular finishing post at Putney. However, CD Riches, the event's manager, changed this in 2009.
Current format
The race is the largest head race of the winter season by junior crews. It attracts around 300 crews each year. Composite crews, drawn from more than one club or school, are not permitted.
All categories race the same course.
In 2012, the J4- and WJ4- events were introduced.[n 1]
In 2013, the Mix 4x[n 2] event was introduced to the race.
In 2017, the course was considerably shortened on the day, retaining the usual start line but finishing at the bandstand shortly after Barnes bridge.[2]
In 2020, the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on 'non-essential' contact. [3]
Records
The current record holders for the events are:
Men's events
Event | Winner | Time | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Ch8+ | Shiplake College | 16:36 | 2019 |
1st8+ | Canford School | 17:13 | 2014 |
2nd8+ | Eton College | 17:11 | 2018 |
3rd8+ | Hampton School | 17:46 | 2007 |
J16 Ch8+ | Hampton School | 17:25 | 2011 |
J16 1st8+ | Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | 17:53 | 2011 |
J16 2nd8+ | King's College School | 18:08 | 2018 |
J15 Ch8+ | Aberdeen Schools RA | 17:54 | 2018 |
J15 1st8+ | St George's College | 18:12 | 2011 |
J15 2nd8+ | St Paul's School | 18:37 | 2012 |
J15 3rd8+ | Hampton School | 20:13 | 2013 |
J4x[n 2] | Maidenhead Rowing Club | 17:19.5 | 2018 |
J17 4x[n 2] | Westminster School | 18:20 | 2014 |
J4- | Westminster School | 18:41 | 2012 |
J4+ | George Watson's College | 18:42 | 2007 |
J16 4+ | Evesham RC | 19:17 | 2011 |
J15 4+ | Westminster School | 19:38 | 2012 |
Women's events
Event | Winner | Time | Year |
---|---|---|---|
WCh 8+ | The Lady Eleanor Holles School | 18:28 | 2011 |
WJ16 8+ | Henley Rowing Club | 19:02 | 2018 |
WJ15 8+ | Latymer Upper School | 19:33 | 2018 |
WJ 4x[n 2] | Latymer Upper School | 19:17 | 2018 |
WJ17 4x[n 2] | Henley Rowing Club | 20:56 | 2014 |
WJ4- | Sir William Borlase's Grammar School | 20:37 | 2012 |
WJ 4+ | Henley Rowing Club | 20:12 | 2007 |
WJ16 4+ | Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls | 21:03 | 2002 |
Mixed events
Event | Winner | Time | Year |
---|---|---|---|
Mix 4x[n 2] | Evesham RC | 19:42 | 2013 |
Winners of all categories when last held
Event | Winner | Time |
---|---|---|
Ch 8+ | Shiplake College | 16:36 |
1st 8+ | Monmouth School Winchester College |
17:32 |
2nd 8+ | St Paul's School | 17:16 |
3rd 8+ | St Paul's School | 18:12 |
J16 Ch8+ | Eton College | 17:30 |
J16 1st8+ | Bedford School | 18:14 |
J16 2nd8+ | Eton College | 18:19 |
J15 Ch8+ | King's College School | 18:20 |
J15 1st8+ | St George's College | 18:42 |
J15 2nd8+ | King's College School | 19:07 |
W Ch8+ | Henley Rowing Club | 18:18 |
W 1st 8+ | Portora Boat Club | 19:01 |
WJ16 8+ | Henley Rowing Club | 19:02 |
WJ15 8+ | Latymer Upper School | 19:34 |
Ch 4x- | Maidenhead Rowing Club | 17:19 |
J16 4x- | Henley Rowing Club | 18:14 |
J4+ | Molesey Boat Club | 18:26 |
J16 4+ | Aberdeen Schools RA | 19:18 |
J15 4+ | Radnor House School | 19:41 |
Mix 4x- | York City Rowing Club | 18:56 |
WJ 4x- | Latymer Upper School | 19:17 |
WJ16 4x- | Marlow Rowing Club | 20:09 |
WJ 4+ | Henley Rowing Club | 20:31 |
WJ16 4+ | Kingston Rowing Club | 20:32 |
Previous J18 eights' winners
Year | Time | Winner | Second | Third |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | 16:36[n 3] | Shiplake College | Eton College | St Paul's School |
2018 | 16:41 | St Paul's School | Shiplake College | Eton College |
2017 | 4:50[n 4] | Shiplake College | Eton College | St Paul's School |
2016 | 17:38 | Westminster School | Shiplake College | St Paul's School |
2015 | 17:58 | Westminster School | St Paul's School | Eton College |
2014 | 16:56 | St Paul's School | St Edward's School | Radley College |
2013 | 17:10 | Hampton School | Abingdon School | St Paul's School |
2012 | 16:53 | Abingdon School | Hampton School | Shrewsbury School |
2011 | 16:53 | Abingdon School | Eton College | Shrewsbury School |
2010 | 17:22 | Eton College | Shrewsbury School | Hampton School |
2009 | 16:47 | Eton College | Shrewsbury School | St Paul's School |
2008 | 9:39[n 5] | Shrewsbury School | Abingdon School | Eton College |
2007 | 17:06 | Shrewsbury School | Radley College | Abingdon School |
2006 | 17:13 | Shrewsbury School | Abingdon School | St Paul's School |
2005 | 17:24 | Eton College | Shrewsbury School | Abingdon School |
See also
Notes and references
- Notes
- ^ In line with increased rationalisation globally to coxless fours see for example the 2006 abolition of the Prince Philip Challenge Cup and expansion of the Britannia Challenge Cup with the Prince Albert Challenge Cup for university student coxed fours at Henley.
- ^ a b c d e f Quad. Ch, only used in the 8s category, denotes top boat (Championship entry for each school) for other symbols used (+ and -) see Rowing (sport)
- ^ New Record.
- ^ Shortened course.
- ^ Shortened course.
- References
- ^ "About the Race" Schools Head of the River Race Westminster School. Retrieved 2014-11-18.
- ^ Rowing, British (23 March 2017). "Announcement! @schoolshead course has been shortened to finish at the bandstand due to current weather conditions #SHORR2017". @BritishRowing. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
- ^ https://www.shorr.org.uk/2020/cancelled.html