Join the 2021 Women’s Head #NotWehorr2021

The Women’s Eights Head of the River is a virtual occasion this year – with special guests and perfect conditions guaranteed! Find out more from Zoe Gullen below

With COVID-19 restrictions and the closure of Hammersmith Bridge keeping the Women’s Eights Head of the River off the Tideway, this year the race is going to its competitors’ homes with a virtual event on Saturday 6 March hosted by Zoom Ergos.

It is set to be a celebration rather than a competition, as race coordinator Guin Batten says: “We want people to come together to journey down the course. Head races are the lighthouses of the training landscape. That landscape is still there for each person, and this is a chance of putting it back for the community.

“We can’t be out on the water – and we definitely can’t paddle under Hammersmith Bridge – so we’d really, really like it if people who would normally be doing the Women’s Head get together virtually with their crewmates, put on their club kit and log on to Zoom.”

Those who don’t have access to a rowing machine are encouraged to get creative: running, cycling, living-room circuits

After the pre-race briefing by Dame Katherine Grainger at 9am it will be hands-on at 9:10 and – the advantage of virtual head racing – some very quick marshalling, with entertainment from Gillian Lindsay and Miriam Luke, before the call for ‘tops off’ at 9:25. Then, at 9:30, the run down the Championship Course will begin, led by Jess Eddie and Zoe de Toledo, Olympic silver medallists from the women’s eight in Rio.

Perfect racing conditions can be guaranteed, Hammersmith Bridge will be open and, as in all head races, pay attention to the marshals: there may be some special guests along the course.

Those who don’t have access to a rowing machine are encouraged to get creative: running, cycling, living-room circuits … anything goes.

For those unable to join in online, or at the time of the race, activities can be posted to the race Strava club.

Everyone is welcome: sign up via Zoom Ergos, join the Strava club and share what you are doing on social media using the hashtag #NotWehorr2021.

Good luck everyone!