Dear Parents and Athletes,
Kingston Borough Regatta is being run on the River Thames at Kingston over 500m downstream from a free start, racing will take place on a three-lane course. Headington have entered crews in wave 1 and 2 with crews from the J15, J14,J13 and J12 age groups racing.
If you are coming to watch the racing you can purchase Regatta Enclosure tickets at a cost of £2 person on the day. This will gain you access to the finish line and refreshments.
Please note that all girls are welcome to use school transport (see transport section below for timings and information) to get to the event but if you wish to drop your daughter off at the race venue please let Helen Leigh (hbleigh@headingtonschool.com) know by email so I know not to expect them on the bus. Chris Hermes is annual leave so will not respond to any emails.
If dropping your daughter off please ensure she has liaised with her coach regarding when she should arrive at the venue for her race (at least 2 hours before her first race). Rower drop off and/or pick up is just downstream from Kingston Bridge. Link to parking.
Location:
The race site / drop off address is:
Barge Walk
Kingston
KT14AA
The Draw:
The draw via the link attached http://www.kingstonregatta.co.uk/draw.htm
HSOBC have entered the following events in each wave of racing:
Wave 1 – WJ15 1x, WJ15 4x+, WJ14 1x, WJ14 4x+, WJ13 2x, WJ13 8x+
Wave 2 – WJ15 2x, WJ14 2x, WJ14 8x+,WJ13 4x+, WJ12 4x+
The first race beings at 08:30 - WJ14 1x
The last race finishes at 18:45 - WJ14 8x+ Final
The girl's crews will be confirmed at training early this week (if they have not been already).
If your daughter is available to race but has not been signed up via google form please let me know as soon as possible but please understand that at this late stage it may not be possible to add them to a crew.
If your daughter is told she is racing but is in fact now unavailable please let me know as soon as possible. Similarly, if your daughter is injured or ill and unable to compete please let me know as soon as possible.
Transport:
There will be a bus to Kingston ahead of Wave 1 and one back to Headington following the conclusion of Wave 2
The school bus will depart at 6 am at the latest. Please meet outside the school gym at 5:50am.
Please note that there are boarders and girls who may be sleeping during the morning departures. The ROWERS MUST NOT MAKE ANY NOISE while waiting outside the boarding house. Transport will be available back from Kingston to school for all rowers who wish to use it. If being collected by parents after racing; no girls may depart the event until the trailer has been fully loaded and/or they have been dismissed by their coach.
Itinerary: Kingston Borough Regatta – Sunday 9th July 2023
Please note that there are many girls racing and that it is their responsibility that they follow the coaches instructions and the timings below:
05:50: Meet outside school gym
06:00: Bus departs from Headington.
07:30: Bus arrives at venue - begin rigging boats
Wave 1
08:30: First HSOBC race in wave 1
Wave 2
18:45: Last possible HSOBC race in wave 2
Boats will be derigged and loaded onto the trailer throughout the day as racing continues. No girl may depart before their boat and blades have been fully loaded onto the trailer and/or they have been dismissed by their coaches.
20:30: Approximate return time to Headington - the girls will be able to contact parents when we are departing Kingston)
Kit and Food
The girls will need:
- A Large water bottle (1L) with electrolyte replacement fluid and or squash.
- Food - appropriate for race day, if you are not sure what to bring please have the girls ask their coaches
- A good breakfast before departing (eg: Porridge, toast and a banana).
- A snack for after each set of races (if doing more than 1). If not sure what to bring; your daughter's coach can advise her.
- Kit: The girls will be required to race in a HSOBC lycra and white t-shirt, in the event of wet or cold weather the girls may wear HSOBC leggings and splash jackets. If they do not have any HSOBC kit yet please let me know.
Spectating
The racing can be viewed along the towpath on the Kingston side of the river with the best view of the finish being from the Regatta Enclosure. The Regatta Enclosure is a cost of £2 per person, which can be paid on the day. See the finishes from close up and enjoy the food and refreshments.