The event is run under GB Rowing Rules with these special conditions:

All Participants in the race must be in full-time education in schools or sixth-form colleges, and must be 18 or younger on the day of the race.

No composite entries are allowed or ‘flags of convenience’ crews.

A significant aim of the Schools Head is to promote rowing in schools. For this reason clubs may enter a crew composed of rowers who satisfy Rule 1 above, but only where such rowers attend schools which have no existing active boat club. Entries from clubs must indicate schools/sixth-form colleges attended, beside the name of each competitor, on the GB rowing entry form. A number of clubs have misunderstood this rule in the past.

All competitors must have attained their 13th birthday.

A club may only enter a 2nd or 3rd crew if a genuine first crew has been entered.

It is a condition of entry that all those taking part are competent swimmers. The committee take every precaution to ensure the safety of competitors, but is not to be held responsible for accidents.

Prizes

The fastest Eight will receive the Head Trophy and a pennant. All other winning crews receive pennants. Individual medals will be awarded to all members of winning crews. The second and third crews in Championship events will be awarded silver and bronze medals. The Thames Team Trophy will be awarded to the school with the fastest aggregate time of any three eights.

Entries

Please make your entries on the summary entry form. A GB rowing ENTRY FORM, PROPERLY COMPLETED, INCLUDING AGES, REGISTRATION NUMBERS, AND SCHOOL NAMES MUST BE ENCLOSED FOR EACH CREW ENTERED.

Entry Fees: Eights £90, Fours £50

Please make cheques payable to THE SCHOOLS' HEAD RACE.

Details and entry forms for this year's race have been posted to schools. They are also available for download here. Entry forms/fees and all enquiries should be directed to the following address:

C.D. Riches
Schools' Head Race
Westminster School
17 Dean's Yard
London
SW1P 3PB

Regrettably telephone entries cannot be accepted.

If you have an urgent query, or wish to confirm that your entry has been received please email david.riches@westminster.org.uk

Race details will appear on the Schools Head Web site at http://www.wsbc.org.uk/shorr

Reminders

Boat Identification

It is now a GB Rowing rule that ALL boats must display standard boat identification. Further details can be obtained from GB rowing.

Coxing

All coxes should have watched the Tideway coxing video which may be accessed on YouTube.

As before, we would like to remind coaches that the 3rd Eights event is for genuine 3rd Eights, and not an alternative J16 event

All crews should adhere to the Row safe code and note the following:

The Committee emphasise that rowing on the Tideway is very different from rowing on still or non-tidal waters. Good coxing and watermanship are essential if the race is to be an event which is safe and enjoyable for all participants. We therefore urge coaches to use their discretion in making their entries, and consider whether weaker crews should be entered. We also remind them that it is permissible to use coxes who are older than the age group they are coxing.

Boating Arrangements

We would encourage you to make the same arrangements as you did last year, although boating at St.Pauls will be severely restricted. More boating capacity is available at Emanuel and at Barn Elms. High Tide will be around 1215 but the river will be fairly low at that time.

You MUST contact the club where you intend to boat in good time, and indicate your boating arrangements on the entry form, in the space provided.

Next Year

The 2012 race will take place on Tuesday 20th March at 1400