National Schools Regatta: 22nd to 24th May 2026

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The National Schools’ Regatta is one of the biggest and most prestigious events on our race calendar. The event sees several thousand competitors; representing schools and clubs from across the UK, compete over three days of multi-lane side by side racing at Dorney Lake. This year racing will be taking place on Friday 22nd, Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th May 2026.

This is a residential event for those racing on the Saturday and/or Sunday who will stay at the team hotel on the night(s) preceding their races. This will run as a normal single day regatta for those racing on the Friday.

Please note that your daughter has been told which events she has been entered for and on which day(s) she is racing. If she is unclear about this please make sure she speaks with her coach as soon as possible.

Location:

The race venue address is:

Dorney Lake

Court Lane

Dorney

Berks

SL4 6FJ

Draw:

The draw and race schedule has been published online.

This is also where up to date results can found throughout the regatta

Headington have entered crews into the following events:

Friday 22nd May 2026

WJ14 4x+

WJ14 8x+

WJ15 2nd 4x+

WJ15 4x+

WJ15 8+

Saturday 23rd May 2026

WJ16 2nd 8+

WJ16 8+

Girls' 2nd 8+

Sunday 24th May 2026

Girls' Championship 2x

Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May 2026

Girls' Championship 1x

Girls' Championship 8+

Transport:

There will be multiple departure times for the school transport to the Regatta:

For those racing on Friday; the school bus will departures will be as follows:

WJ14 4x+ - Meet outside the school gym at 5:40am

WJ15 2nd 4x+ & WJ14 8x+ - Meet outside the school gym at 6:30am

WJ15 4x+ & WJ15 8+ - Meet outside the school gym at 7:30am

If you plan on bringing your daughter to Dorney Lake yourself please ensure that she is at Dorney no later than 1 hour after the above departure times. If you intend on doing this please ensure that your daughter's coach and the Head of Rowing is informed via email or Spond

For those racing on Saturday; the school bus will depart on Friday 22nd May at 12:30pm at the latest. Please meet outside the school gym no later than at 12:15pm. Those meeting the group at Dorney Lake should aim to arrive at 1:30pm. If you intend on dropping your daughter at Dorney this please ensure that your daughter's coach and the Head of Rowing is informed via email or Spond.

Those racing on Sunday only (Girls' Championship 2x) will meet the group at Dorney on Saturday afternoon.

Transport will be available back from Dorney to school on the Friday and Sunday after the racing has concluded and the trailer has been loaded of any boats no longer in use. If being collected by parents after racing; no girls may depart the event until their equipment has been fully loaded onto the trailer and/or they have been dismissed by their coach. If your daughter is finishing racing on Saturday and is unable to be collected by parents or arrange a lift share please let the Head of Rowing know as soon as possible.

Approximate departure times of school transport after racing are as follows (if racing is delayed for any reason this may be later):

Friday 22nd May 2026 - 8:30pm

Sunday 25th May 2025 - 7:00pm

Kit and Food

The girls will need:

- At least one large water bottle (1L) with electrolyte replacement fluid.

- Food - The girls should bring with them some of their normal race day food for during the daynd in between races, if you are not sure what to bring please have the girls ask their coaches. This will be supplemented by lunch which will be kindly provided by the HSOBC parent team at the HSOBC Marquee (see below). Breakfast and Supper are provided by the hotel for those staying overnight.

- Kit: The girls will need to bring HSOBC race kit, spare rowing kit for possible training outings. Those staying at the team hotel will need usual overnight items, toiletries etc, casual clothes for the evening(s) and some long lasting race day food and electrolyte replacement fluid (squash with a pinch of salt is perfect).

It is set to be hot and sunny wall weekend so the girls will also require sun cream and a hat.

Spectating

The HSOBC marquee is situated on plot number 21 which is situated appoximately between the 250m and 500m marks (from the finish line). We would like to encourage parents to congregate at the boat club marquee, there will be some chairs and trestle tables provided but by all means bring your own camping chairs and a picnic if you like (there are also numerous food and drink vendors on site).

The site map has been published on the event website.

Please do not enter the athlete areas (the boating areas and trailer parks) for any reason unless it is an emergency. Under no circumstances should a parent attempt to follow racing on a bicycle as this may result in the crew being disqualified.

Please do not be offended if a member of HSOBC staff or a Regatta official asks you to leave an athlete area or to stop following a race.

Parking

Parking information can be found on the event website.

Please ensure that you purchase a ticket if you intend on parking at the Regatta.

Policies and Documents

The following documents should be read/reviewed by all girls competing this weekend:

- Competitor Instructions

- Course Maps and Circulation Plans

Any other welfare and safety documentation for the event can be found on the event website.