Wallingford Regatta: Sunday 4th May 2025

Dear Parents and Athletes,

Wallingford Regatta is being run at Dorney Lake, the regatta is run over a 2000 meter 6 lane course with 2 division of racing. Headington have entered crews in both Division 1 and 2 in the J15, J16 and J18 age groups.

Please note that school transport is available (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 have your daughter let coaches know by email or Spond 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 at Dorney Lake no later than two hours prior to their first race.

Location:

The race venue address is:

Dorney Lake

Off Court Lane

Windsor

SL4 6FJ

The Draw:

The draw and race schedule can be found on the event website.

The full draw will be published on Thursday 1st May but the provisional race schedule which is on the website gives a good indication of race timings. Headington have entered crews into the following events:

Division 1:

W Challenge 2-

WJ18 8+

WJ18 4x

WJ15 8+

Division 2:

W Challege 4x

WJ18 4+

WJ16 4x

The girl's crews will be confirmed at training this week (if they have not been already). If your daughter is told she is racing but is in fact now unavailable for any reason please let me know as soon as possible.

Transport:

There will be two departure times for the school transport:

For those racing in the WJ18 8+ a minibus will depart at 5:30am at the latest. Please meet outside the school gym at 5:20am.

The school transport for the rest of those racing at Wallingford will depart at 7:30am at the latest. Please meet outside the school gym at 7:20am

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.

There is no school transport to the race venue in the afternoon for those only racing division 2 but girls are encouraged to arrange parental transport for themselves if possible so as to avoid waiting all day at the regatta for a later race.

Transport will be available back from Dorney to school for all rowers however this will only depart once all racing has concluded in each division and the trailer has been loaded. 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.

Itinerary: Wallingford Regatta - Sunday 4th May 2025

Please note that there are many girls racing and that it is their responsibility that they follow the coaches instructions and the timings below.

0520: WJ18 8+ meet outside school gym

0530: WJ18 8+ departs from Headington.

06:30: WJ18 8+ arrives at venue - begin rigging boat

0720: Meet outside school gym

0730: Depart from Headington

0830: Arrive at venue - begin rigging boats

Division 1

0806 - 0818: WJ18 8+ heats

1024 - 1036: WJ18 4x heats

1042 - 1054: WJ15 8+ heats

1112 - 1242: Division 1 finals

There will be a bus back to school after the conclusion of division 1 for those who wish to use it. Parents are also welcome to take the girls directly from the regatta. The girls will only be allowed to depart once all of their equipment has been loaded onto the trailer.

14:00: Approximate departure time from race venue for those racing division 1 only - the girls will be able to contact parents when we are departing Dorney or when ready to be collected.

Division 2

1254 - 1312: WJ18 4+ heats

1512 - 1518: Womens Challege 4x heats

1824 - 1900: Division 2 finals

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 they have been dismissed by their coaches.

20:00: Approximate departure time from race venue for those racing division 2 - the girls will be able to contact parents when we are departing Dorney

Kit and Food

The girls will need:

- A Large water bottle (1L) with electrolyte replacement fluid.

- 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

Parking information for the day is published on the event website. There is a charge per car and parking can be pre-paid at a lower rate via the website.

I would ask parents to please not enter the trailer park or approach the girls while they are at the trailer, rigging their boats and launching or landing for their races. The girls and coaches do not require any help with these activities.

Please may I also remind parents that only coaches are permitted to follow races by bike. Crews will be disqualified if being followed by unauthorised cyclists.

Policies and Documents

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

- Competitor Instructions

- Course Map 

Any other safety documentation including risk assessments and welfare policy for the event can be found on the event website