Dear Parents and Athletes,
Marlow Town Regatta is being run on the River Thames at Marlow over 900m downstream from Bisham Abbey to Higginson Park, racing will take place on a three lane course. Headington have entered crews in wave 1, 2 and 3 with crews from the J15, J14 and J13 age groups racing.
The rowing is coupled with events and a funfair in Higginson Park and dragon boat racing the next day. It is run by the Town Regatta and Festival Committee. For further details about the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival, please click here.
If you are coming to watch the racing you can purchase access to the regatta and parking at a reduced rate by following this link.
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 me know by email so I know not to expect them on the bus.
If dropping your daughter off please ensure she has liaised with her coach regarding when she should arrive at the venue for her race. Rower drop off and/or pick up is in the Pound Lane (Court Garden) car park, not at the Regatta trailer park (trailer parking only). From there it is a short walk across Higginson Park to the trailer field where the girls should meet their coaches and teammates.
Location:
The race site / drop off address is:
Lower Pound Lane
Marlow
SL7 2AE
The Draw:
The draw can be found on the event website.
HSOBC have entered the following events in each wave of racing:
Wave 1 - WJ16 2x, WJ15 1x, WJ14 4x+
Wave 2 - WJ15 2x, WJ14 8x+, WJ13 4x+
Wave 3 - J15 4x+, WJ14 2x, WJ13 8x+
The girl's crews will be confirmed at training early this week (if they have not been already) and all those who signed up via the google form before the deadline have been entered to race.
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 Marlow ahead of Wave 1 and one back to Headington following the conclusion of Wave 3
The school bus will depart at 6:00am 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 Marlow 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: Marlow Spring Regatta - Saturday 11th June 2022
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.
07:00: Bus arrives at venue - begin rigging boats
Wave 1
08:15: First HSOBC race in wave 1 (WJ16 2x)
10:39: Last possible HSOBC race in wave 1 (WJ15 1x final)
Wave 2
11:21: First HSOBC race in wave 2 (WJ13 4x+)
13:06: Last possible HSOBC race in wave 2 (WJ15 2x final)
Wave 3
14:42: First HSOBC race in wave 3 (WJ14 2x)
17:18: Last possible HSOBC race in wave 3 (WJ13 8x+ final)
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.
18:30: Approximate return time to Headington - the girls will be able to contact parents when we are departing Marlow)
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 Marlow side of the river with the best view of the finish being from Higginson Park. The Marlow Town festival is taking place on the same day which is a great day out for the family.
If you are coming down to watch the racing please see the letter below from the event organisers about how to book parking and entry to the festival:
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Marlow Town Regatta is very much looking forward to welcoming you on Saturday 11th June 2022.
To enable parents and siblings of junior competitors rowing at the Regatta to access the riverside grandstand viewing area, bars, food & social areas, we have created a special 50% discount ticket and parking offer. We hope this will enable everyone, travelling from around the region, to come and enjoy the day. In return, we would ask you to assist our entrance staff by demonstrating your connection with the competitor when you redeem your voucher at the entrance, either via your mobile phone or a printed voucher. Book your tickets HERE. For more information about the Regatta activities during the day please visit https://marlowtownregatta.org/
We look forward to seeing you at Marlow Town Regatta & Festival 2022,
Robin Atkinson
Chairman
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I would ask parents to please avoid entering the trailer park or approaching the girls while they are at the trailer, rigging their boats and launching and landing their boats. The girls and coaches do not require any help with these activities.
Please may I also remind parents not to follow races on bicycles.
Policies and Documents
The following documents should be read/reviewed by all girls competing this weekend:
Any other safety documentation including risk assessments and welfare policy for the event can be found on the event website
If there are any changes to the information provided above I will email them to parents with as much notice as possible.