Schools' Head of the River Race
FrequencyAnnual
Location(s)Championship Course, River Thames in London, England
Years active1946 – present
Previous event17 March 2023
Next event20 March 2024
Participantsapprox. 300 crews
Organised byWestminster School
Websitewww.shorr.org.uk

The Schools' Head of the River Race (SHORR) is the UK's largest school-age processional (head rowing) race and is organised by Westminster School for crews aged between 14 and 18 years old. It is held in Spring, the end of the head race season.

The race forms a leg of the national kudos of winning a rowing 'triple' in which occasionally an undefeated Junior Eight (J18 8+ or WJ18 8+) wins this race, the National Schools Regatta, and either the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta or the Peabody Cup at Henley Women's Regatta.

Course

The race is held annually on the River Thames in London, England, on a course from Chiswick Bridge in Mortlake to Westminster School Boat Club flagpole in Putney. It is rowed with the tide and is in the opposite direction to The Boat Race.[1]

Race format

History

When the race was first held in 1946 the course was shorter than at present, from above Hammersmith Bridge to the current finishing post,[2] a distance of approximately 1.75 miles. The course was lengthened in 1988 with a start from Duke's Meadow,[3] a mile further upstream, and again in 2000 when the start was moved to Chiswick Bridge,[4] resulting in a course almost the length of the full Boat Race

After the course was lengthened, the Schools' Head continued to offer a shorter course (from London Corinthian Sailing Club above Hammersmith Bridge) for smaller boats, such as J15 4s, J15 B 8's, and Maiden 4s; however, in 2009 this was changed by C.D. Riches, the event's manager.

Eton College have won the race a total of 14 times, followed by Emanuel School with 11 wins (including a remarkable eight in nine years from 1962-1970), Hampton School with 9 and St Paul's with 9. In addition to these, the headship in 2000 was shared in an unprecedented three-way tie between Hampton, St Paul's and Canford School. In the Junior Women's category, Lady Eleanor Holles School has the most wins with 12.

Bad weather has occasionally disrupted the race. Indeed, in its very first year almost half the starting crews capsized due to the adverse conditions.[5][6] The race was cancelled in 2001 due to dangerous conditions,[7] reduced to its original length in 2008 as a result of strong winds disrupting the marshalling area[8] and even more severely shortened in 2017, retaining the usual start line but finishing at the bandstand shortly after Barnes bridge.[9]

In addition, in 2020 the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on 'non-essential' contact[10] and in 2021, as a result of the ongoing pandemic, a 'virtual' Schools' Head event was run with crews submitting GPS recordings on their home stretches of water.[11]

Current format

The race was initially a smaller event for Championship men's crews, with only 14 competing in its first year.[12] However, numbers have grown significantly over time and additional categories of boats have been added. For example, in 2012, the J4- and WJ4- events were introduced[n 1] and in 2013 the Mix 4x[n 2] event was introduced to the race.

Women's events were first included in 1982.[13] Although participation was relatively limited at first, with only eight 4s in the first year and no 8s until 1983,[14] the number of entrants has grown substantially over time as a result of the increased popularity of schoolgirl rowing, with over 125 women's crews competing in 2023.

The race is now the largest head race of the winter season by junior crews attracting around 300 crews each year. Composite crews, drawn from more than one club or school, are not permitted. All categories race the same course.

Records

The current record holders for the events are:[15]

Men's events

EventWinnerTimeYear
Ch8+Shiplake College16:362019
1st8+Canford School 17:132014
2nd8+Eton College 17:112018
3rd8+Hampton School 17:462009
J16 Ch8+Hampton School 17:252011
J16 1st8+Sir William Borlase 17:532011
J16 2nd8+Hampton School 17:512014
J15 Ch8+Aberdeen Schools RA17:542018
J15 1st8+St George's College 18:122011
J15 2nd8+St Paul's School 18:372012
J15 3rd8+Hampton School 20:132013
Ch4xMaidenhead Rowing Club 17:192018
J4-Westminster School 18:412012
J4+Molesey Boat Club 18:262018
J16 4xHenley RC 18:142018
J16 4+Evesham Rowing Club 19:172011
J15 4+Westminster School 19:382012

Women's events

EventWinnerTimeYear
WJ Ch8+Henley RC 18:182018
WJ 1st8+Enniskillen Royal Grammar School19:012018
WJ 2nd8+Henley RC 19:372022
WJ16 Ch8+Henley RC 18:562022
WJ16 1st8+St Paul's Girls 19:542022
WJ16 2nd8+St Paul's Girls 21:092022
WJ15 Ch8+Latymer Upper School 19:332018
WJ15 1st8+Sir William Perkins's School 20:302022
WJ15 2nd8+Surbiton High School 21:112022
WJ 4x-Shiplake College19:152022
WJ 4-Sir William Borlase 20:372012
WJ 4+Henley Rowing Club 20:122007
WJ16 4xShiplake College19:152022
WJ16 4+Kingston RC 20:312018

Mixed events

EventWinnerTimeYear
Mix 4x[n 2]York City RC 18:562018

Winners of all categories when last held

EventWinnerTime
Ch 8+Shiplake College 16:47
1st 8+Bedford School 17:40
2nd 8+Shiplake College 17:31
3rd 8+Radley College 18:14
J16 Ch8+St Paul's School 17:53
J16 1st8+Bedford School 18:21
J16 2nd8+Eton College 18:20
J15 Ch8+St Paul's School 18:31
J15 1st8+Bedford School 19:16
J15 2nd8+St Paul's School 19:00
W Ch8+Wycliffe Junior Boat Club18:45
W 1st8+St Paul's Girls' School 19:46
W 2nd8+Henley Rowing Club 19:38
W 3rd8+Henley Rowing Club 20:06
WJ16 Ch8+Surbiton High School 19:54
WJ16 1st8+Bedford Girls' School Rowing Club 20:38
WJ16 2nd8+Surbiton High School 21:12
WJ15 Ch8+Henley Rowing Club 20:22
WJ15 1st8+Putney High School20:59
WJ15 2nd8+Headington School 21:17
Ch 4x-Leander Club 17:56
W Ch 4x-Marlow Rowing Club 19.33
Mix 4x-Hinksey Sculling School19:30

Previous J18 eights winners

YearTimeWinnerSecondThird
2023 [16]16:47.9Shiplake College Radley College St Paul's School
2022 [17]16:54.4Shiplake College Eton College St Edward's School
2021 [18]Cancelled[n 3]
2020 [19]Cancelled
2019 [20]16:36.6[n 4]Shiplake College Eton College St Paul's School
2018 [21]16:40.6St Paul's School Shiplake College Eton College
2017 [22]4:50[n 5]Shiplake College Eton College St Paul's School
2016 [23]17:38Westminster School Shiplake College St Paul's School
2015 [24]17:58Westminster School St Paul's School Eton College
2014 [25]16:56St Paul's School St Edward's School Radley College
2013 [26]17:10Hampton School Abingdon School St Paul's School
2012 [27]16:53Abingdon School Hampton School Shrewsbury School
2011 [28]16:53Abingdon School Eton College Shrewsbury School
2010 [29]17:22Eton College Shrewsbury School Hampton School
2009 [30]16:47Eton College Shrewsbury School St Paul's School
2008 [31]9:39[n 6]Shrewsbury School Abingdon School Eton College
2007 [32]17:06Shrewsbury School Radley College Abingdon School
2006 [33]17:13Shrewsbury School Abingdon School St Paul's School
2005 [34]17:24Eton College Shrewsbury School Abingdon School
2004 [35]17:15Hampton School Abingdon School St Paul's School
2003 [36]18:41St Paul's School Pangbourne College Abingdon School
2002 [37]17:20Abingdon School St Paul's School Hampton School
2001 [38]Cancelled
2000 [39]17:06 Three-way tie between Hampton School , St Paul's School & Canford School
1999 [40]12:53Hampton School Abingdon School St Paul's School
1998 [41]12:34St Edward's School Abingdon School Hampton School
1997 [42]12:59St Edward's School St Paul's School Hampton School
1996 [43]13:19St Paul's School Eton College Kingston Grammar School
1995 [44]12:42Eton College Hampton School St Paul's School
1994 [45]13:03Kingston Grammar School Eton College (A) Eton College (B)
1993 [46]12:50Kingston Grammar School Eton College Shrewsbury School
1992 [47]12:48Eton College Hampton School & Shrewsbury School
1991 [48]12:53Eton College Shrewsbury School Pangbourne College
1990 [49]12:48Eton College Hampton School & Westminster School
1989 [50]12:35Hampton School Eton College Emanuel School
1988 [51]12:44Hampton School Emanuel School Shrewsbury School
1987 [52]7:39Hampton School Emanuel School St Edward's School
1986 [53]7:54Hampton School Shrewsbury School St Edward's School
1985 [54]7:41Hampton School Eton College Shrewsbury School
1984 [55]7:38St Edward's School Shrewsbury School Shiplake College
1983 [56][57]7:50St Edward's School [n 7]Shrewsbury School Eton College
1982 [58]8:03Shrewsbury School Emanuel School Hampton School
1981 [59]7:20Emanuel School Shrewsbury School St Edward's School
1980 [60]7:29Shrewsbury School St Edward's School Westminster School
1979 [61]8:16Eton College St Edward's School Winchester College
1978 [62]7:57Eton College Shrewsbury School Latymer Upper School
1977 [63]8:05Hampton School Shrewsbury School St Edward's School
1976 [64]8:57Emanuel School Hampton School Canford School
1975 [65]7:41Emanuel School Eton College Canford School
1974 [66]7:41Eton College Westminster School Kingston Grammar School
1973 [67]7:49Eton College (A) Eton College (B) Westminster School
1972 [68]7:29Eton College Emanuel School Hampton School
1971 [69]7:54Westminster School Hampton School Eton College
1970 [70]7:57Emanuel School Hampton School Eton College
1969 [71]7:48Emanuel School Eton College Kingston Grammar School
1968 [72]7:51Emanuel School Ealing Grammar SchoolWinchester College
1967 [73]7:51Emanuel School St Paul's School Hampton School
1966 [74]7:44Emanuel School Winchester College Eton College
1965 [75]8:00Emanuel School Eton College Tiffin School
1964 [76]7:48King's School CanterburyHampton School St Edward's School
1963 [77]7:33Emanuel School St Paul's School King's School Canterbury
1962 [78]8:15Emanuel School King's School CanterburyHampton School
1961 [79]7:48King's School CanterburyHampton School St Edward's School
1960 [80]8:29King's School CanterburyBedford School Bryanston School
1959 [81]7:31Eton College St Edward's School Haberdashers' School
1958 [82][n 8]Winchester College Bryanston School & St Edward's School
1957 [83]7:28St Paul's School Bryanston SchoolWinchester College
1956 [84][n 9]St Paul's School Emanuel School St Edward's School
1955 [85]8:05Eton College St Paul's School St Edward's School
1954 [86]7:52Winchester College Eton College St Edward's School
1953 [87]7:51Winchester College Eton College & Radley College
1952 [88]7:52Bryanston SchoolWinchester College Eton College
1951 [89]7:25St Paul's School Westminster School Bryanston School
1950 [90]7:51St Paul's School Latymer Upper School Shrewsbury School
1949 [91]7:53Winchester College Bryanston SchoolWestminster School
1947 [92][n 10]8:47Bryanston SchoolSt Paul's School Westminster School
1946 [93][n 11]9:41St Paul's School Westminster School Latymer Upper School

Previous J18 Women eights winners

YearTimeWinner
202318:45Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club
202218:56Henley RC
2021Cancelled
2020Cancelled
201918:44Henley RC
201818:18Henley RC
20175:25[n 12]Headington School
201619:28Headington School
201519:43Headington School
201418:49Headington School
201319:17Headington School
201219:02Lady Eleanor Holles School
201118:28Lady Eleanor Holles School
201019:52Headington School
200918:56Lady Eleanor Holles School
200810:56[n 13]Lady Eleanor Holles School
200718:51Maidenhead Rowing Club
200619:37Headington School
200519:32Headington School
200419:27Kingston Grammar School
200320:34Kingston Grammar School
200219:11Headington School
2001Cancelled
200019:11Lady Eleanor Holles School
199914:27Lady Eleanor Holles School
199814:09Lady Eleanor Holles School
199714:48Lady Eleanor Holles School
199615:02Kingston Grammar School
199514:30Kingston Grammar School
199414:42Lady Eleanor Holles School
199314:36Lady Eleanor Holles School
199214:29Lady Eleanor Holles School
199114:47Kingston Grammar School
199014:41Kingston Grammar School
198915:16George Heriot's School
198816:05Monmouth Rowing Club
19879:10King James's School
1986[n 14]Pilgrim's School
19859:57Kingston Grammar School
19849:46Lady Eleanor Holles School
19839:42Monkton Combe School

See also

Notes and references

Notes
  1. ↑ In line with increased rationalisation globally to coxless fours see for example the 2006 abolition of the Prince Philip Challenge Cup and expansion of the Britannia Challenge Cup with the Prince Albert Challenge Cup for university student coxed fours at Henley.
  2. 1 2 Quad. Ch, only used in the 8s category, denotes top boat (Championship entry for each school) for other symbols used (+ and -) see Rowing (sport)
  3. ↑ Replaced with a 'virtual' Schools' Head event with crews submitting GPS recordings on their home stretches of water
  4. ↑ New Record.
  5. ↑ Shortened course.
  6. ↑ Shortened course.
  7. ↑ Hampton were initially announced winners but were demoted four places upon review
  8. ↑ Not reported
  9. ↑ Not reported
  10. ↑ Held in November of the 1947/48 school year
  11. ↑ Held in November of the 1946/47 school year
  12. ↑ Shortened course.
  13. ↑ Shortened course.
  14. ↑ Not reported
    References
    1. ↑ "About the Race" Schools Head of the River Race Westminster School. Retrieved 2014-11-18.
    2. ↑ "Schools Head of the River Race". The Times. London. 25 November 1946. p. 8.
    3. ↑ "Hampton go for fourth headship in succession". The Daily Telegraph. London. 15 March 1988. p. 37.
    4. ↑ "Baulked St Paul's forced to settle for three-way tie". The Daily Telegraph. London. 17 March 2000. p. 42.
    5. ↑ "Six boats capsize". The Daily Telegraph. London. 25 November 1946. p. 3.
    6. ↑ "Westminster School Elizabethan, December 1946". www.elizabethan.westminster.org.uk. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
    7. ↑ "Cambridge spring surprise switch". The Daily Telegraph. London. 21 March 2001. p. 45.
    8. ↑ "Shrewsbury storm". The Daily Telegraph. London. 12 March 2008. p. 60.
    9. ↑ Rowing, British (23 March 2017). "Announcement! @schoolshead course has been shortened to finish at the bandstand due to current weather conditions #SHORR2017". @BritishRowing. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
    10. ↑ "Schools' Head CANCELLED".
    11. ↑ "Schools' Head 2021 - Details". www.shorr.org.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
    12. ↑ "Schools Head of River Race". The Times. London. 25 November 1946. p. 8.
    13. ↑ "218 Crews in Schools Head". The Daily Telegraph. London. 9 March 1982. p. 31.
    14. ↑ "Holders retain title". The Daily Telegraph. London. 16 March 1984. p. 31.
    15. ↑ "SHORR Records". Retrieved 5 September 2023.
    16. ↑ "SHORR Results 2023". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    17. ↑ "SHORR Results 2022". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    18. ↑ "Virtual SHORR 2021 results". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    19. ↑ "SHORR 2020 Cancelled". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    20. ↑ "SHORR Results 2019". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    21. ↑ "SHORR Results 2018". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    22. ↑ "SHORR Results 2017". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    23. ↑ "SHORR Results 2016". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    24. ↑ "SHORR Results 2015". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    25. ↑ "SHORR Results 2014". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    26. ↑ "SHORR Results 2013". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    27. ↑ "SHORR Results 2012". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    28. ↑ "SHORR Results 2011" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    29. ↑ "SHORR Results 2010" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    30. ↑ "SHORR Results 2009" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    31. ↑ "SHORR Results 2008" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    32. ↑ "Old SHORR Results". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    33. ↑ "Old SHORR Results". Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    34. ↑ "SHORR Results 2005" (PDF). Retrieved 13 September 2023.
    35. ↑ "Schools Head results 2004". Archived from the original on 6 April 2004.
    36. ↑ "Schools Head results 2003". Archived from the original on 30 April 2003.
    37. ↑ "Schools Head results 2002". Archived from the original on 14 April 2002.
    38. ↑ "Schools Head results 2001". Archived from the original on 3 August 2001.
    39. ↑ "Baulked St Paul's forced to settle for three-way tie". The Daily Telegraph. London. 17 March 2000. p. 42.
    40. ↑ "Schools Head results 1999". Archived from the original on 14 September 2000.
    41. ↑ "Schools Head results 1998". Archived from the original on 23 April 2000.
    42. ↑ "Schools Head results 1997". Archived from the original on 15 September 2000.
    43. ↑ "Schools Head results 1996". Archived from the original on 26 February 2000.
    44. ↑ "Sport in Brief". The Daily Telegraph. London. 14 March 1995. p. 36.
    45. ↑ "Kingston eight remain at head". The Daily Telegraph. London. 24 March 1994. p. 32.
    46. ↑ "Pre-race collision scuppers Eton hope of repeat success". The Daily Telegraph. London. 19 March 1993. p. 31.
    47. ↑ "Hampton fail to hold back Eton". The Daily Telegraph. London. 18 March 1992. p. 37.
    48. ↑ "Heads title retained by impressive Eton". The Daily Telegraph. London. 13 March 1991. p. 35.
    49. ↑ "Hampton's reign brought to end by full-strength Eton". The Daily Telegraph. London. 8 March 1990. p. 32.
    50. ↑ "Hampton successful for fifth year". The Daily Telegraph. London. 18 March 1989. p. 33.
    51. ↑ "Squall delays Hampton's head success". The Daily Telegraph. London. 16 March 1988. p. 37.
    52. ↑ "Hampton's off to Hong Kong". The Daily Telegraph. London. 13 March 1987. p. 30.
    53. ↑ "For the record". The Times. London. 13 March 1986. p. 28.
    54. ↑ "Hampton go to head with ease". The Daily Telegraph. London. 20 March 1985. p. 31.
    55. ↑ "Holders retain title". The Daily Telegraph. London. 16 March 1984. p. 31.
    56. ↑ "Hampton surprise favourites". The Daily Telegraph. London. 11 March 1983. p. 29.
    57. ↑ "Cambridge arrive on Tideway". The Daily Telegraph. London. 15 March 1983. p. 21.
    58. ↑ "For the record". The Times. London. 10 March 1982. p. 26.
    59. ↑ "Emanuel come from behind". The Times. London. 18 March 1981. p. 12.
    60. ↑ "Shrewbury win head of the river race". The Times. London. 14 March 1980. p. 14.
    61. ↑ "No tradesmen's entrance". The Daily Telegraph. London. 9 March 1979. p. 32.
    62. ↑ "Eton head of the river despite penalty". The Times. London. 8 March 1978. p. 11.
    63. ↑ "Oxford win the first official competition". The Times. London. 18 March 1977. p. 22.
    64. ↑ "Emanuel retain title". The Times. London. 12 March 1976. p. 10.
    65. ↑ "Full course on the tideway but no trimmings". The Times. London. 21 March 1975. p. 11.
    66. ↑ "Third win no guarantee of success for Eton". The Times. London. 20 March 1974. p. 8.
    67. ↑ "Eton crew still powerful". The Times. London. 16 March 1973. p. 12.
    68. ↑ "Eton win by four seconds from Emanuel". The Times. London. 10 March 1972. p. 10.
    69. ↑ "Westminster's example". The Times. London. 24 March 1971. p. 9.
    70. ↑ "Emanuel yet again". The Times. London. 18 March 1970. p. 15.
    71. ↑ "Emanuel's seventh win". The Times. London. 13 March 1969. p. 13.
    72. ↑ "Headship for Emanuel". The Times. London. 21 March 1968. p. 16.
    73. ↑ "Emanuel stay head". The Times. London. 23 March 1967. p. 21.
    74. ↑ "Emanuel still head of river". The Times. London. 17 March 1966. p. 5.
    75. ↑ "Emanuel back at head of river". The Times. London. 17 March 1965. p. 4.
    76. ↑ "King's regain head of river". The Times. London. 12 March 1964. p. 4.
    77. ↑ "Emanuel keep Head of River Trophy". The Times. London. 21 March 1963. p. 3.
    78. ↑ "Emanuel come up to finish head". The Times. London. 16 March 1962. p. 5.
    79. ↑ "King's Canterbury stay Head". The Times. London. 15 March 1961. p. 21.
    80. ↑ "King's Canterbury gain first success". The Daily Telegraph. London. 24 March 1960. p. 9.
    81. ↑ "Eton defy handicap". The Times. London. 25 March 1959. p. 4.
    82. ↑ "Oxford take it easy". The Times. London. 20 March 1958. p. 16.
    83. ↑ "St Paul's narrow winners". The Times. London. 28 March 1957. p. 14.
    84. ↑ "Sports in Brief". The Times. London. 23 March 1956. p. 14.
    85. ↑ "Schools head of the river race". The Times. London. 24 March 1955. p. 3.
    86. ↑ "Winchester retain Schools Head of River title". The Times. London. 17 March 1954. p. 3.
    87. ↑ "Sports in Brief". The Times. London. 16 March 1953. p. 1.
    88. ↑ "Oxford row over full course". The Daily Telegraph. London. 10 March 1952. p. 3.
    89. ↑ "London win the Bousted Cup". The Times. London. 5 March 1951. p. 4.
    90. ↑ "Schools Head of the River Race". The Times. London. 20 March 1950. p. 6.
    91. ↑ "Schools Head of River Race". The Times. London. 14 March 1949. p. 2.
    92. ↑ "Schools Head of the River Race". The Times. London. 24 November 1947. p. 2.
    93. ↑ "Schools Head of River Race". The Times. London. 25 November 1946. p. 8.
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