Head race boating

Civil Service Boating 2020 Head Races

Updated 21st October

Further to our recent update on boating from the Civil Service for this year’s Fours and Vets Fours events in November, we have received a number of queries from clubs interested in boating. Thank you for your interest and your continued patience as we have processed these and adjusted to the unique circumstances that we are facing this year.

Fours Head

The Fours Head published an update on Wednesday 21st October regarding entries, the race course and boating arrangements for this year’s event. In light of this, we are now working directly with the Fours Head committee who will take charge of entry criteria and allocating visiting crews to boat from the club. We are continuing to make the necessary preparations but like many clubs on the Tideway will be operating at a significantly reduced capacity this year. Please direct any queries directly to the event organisers and follow the published instructions in relation to event entry and boating location. Once visiting crews are confirmed we will make contact to finalise arrangements in advance of the event but are dependent on confirmation of entries and crew allocation to proceed to this phase. Until that point we will not be able to provide confirmation to crews wishing to boat from the Civil Service Boathouse.

Vet Fours Head

We anticipate there will be further announcements in relation to the Vets Fours event shortly and will update here accordingly. Clubs are welcome to continue to register interest for the event via the Contact Form below or email boating[at]cygnet-rc[dot]org.uk. However, any confirmation on next steps and boating allocation will be subject to the announcements from the event organisers. Please bear with us whilst we await that and respond to the evolving developments.

We look forward to the events and hopefully hosting a small number of crews for the events and as a club are excited to be preparing to race on the Tideway once again. In these unprecedented times, we wish all our friends from across the rowing community and beyond good health, calm waters and safe rowing.

With best wishes to you all.

Boating Diagram

Steers and coaches from non-tideway club, your crews must familiarise themselves with the Tideway Code before going afloat.

Please click on the diagram below to enlarge for detailed instructions on parking, rigging and boating

Traffic Management

Please note that the Local Authority are increasingly strict about traffic and parking on Dukes Meadows during Head Races. 

Marshals are in place to help so please obey their instructions: they are not trying to be obstructive but are trying to ensure that Dukes Meadows remains open for Head Race boating by meeting the council's requirements. You cooperation and understanding is much appreciated. 

Full Traffic Management Plan (pdf)

Important Information

• Please read this excellent article on what to expect from the Tideway
• Bring wellies if you don't want cold, wet feet
• The marshals are there to help, please follow their instructions
• Please boat promptly when instructed and observe the 2m distance rule between boats
• Join the boating queue with your bows facing forward (i.e. towards Barnes Bridge), unless otherwise instructed
• Please don't cover the hard in blades, it slows down boating and they may get damaged. They may also float away on a flood tide!
• Portable toilets are provided on Dukes Meadows for most big Head Races
• Please use the litter bins provided – or take your litter home