It’s Head Racing Season – all you need to know
Winter is marching past and spring will shortly be happening in the rowing world this means we are focused on head racing. The UK pinnacle events are the Tideway Heads (mens, womens, schools and veterans). and these are WORTH WINNING.
What does it take to win a head race?
Apart from hard training and skilful, combined rowing force curves, your crew needs some extra things to work well actually on the day.
New rowing book – Winning Head Races
Written by expert oarsman, Carlo Zezza – you’re going to love this detailed examination of head racing for both coxed and coxless boats. Click the image to read the detailed chapter list and appendices. Coaches – the diagrams are worth the price alone – you’ll find it easy to explain what you want the crew to do.
Resources for Head Racing Rowing – all you need to prepare
Now, let’s run through some resources which will help the coach, the crew and the coxswain put together the best possible race that you are capable of doing. After all, let’s face it, if you do your best possible, that’s as good as it can get.
Preparation for head racing
- Know the rules of racing. Here’s an article from US Rowing which highlights the importance of knowing the rules so if you get impeded, you KNOW what you can and cannot do to protest to the race marshalls and umpire
She also includes helpful questions which anyone who is a race umpire will be asking and if you’re a racing crew under investigation, you need to know your answers. - Racing preparation
- Head racing from the coxswain’s perspective from Bryan Kitch at Rowing Related
- Head of the River tips by Ian Shore from the British Rowing magazine 2009 [Tideway Head is the example used
- Coxing sprint races versus head races from Kayleigh Durm at Ready all Row
- Head racing 101 a guide for beginners from the Mount Baker Crew coaches – really helpful site.
- Using 600 power strokes to prepare for head racing
Rowing 5k or head race preparation 600 power Strokes