Schools’ Head of the River 2018 – Steering Advice

Attention all coxes and quad steerers!

If you are still unsure about what route to take down the course today, do not worry! Our handy guide on how to steer the Schools’ Head line is now here.

Off the start you will want to come through Chiswick Bridge directly under the two lights at the top of the arch. Stay central down the course until the apex of the long left bend bend at the willow tree. From this apex you should allow half a boat width between you and the middle of the course on your right as the cox sees it.

Underneath Barnes Bridge now, and it is paramount you exit the bridge between the light and the buttress so you can have your line straight to the crossover set up as you go underneath the photographers. Don’t forget to give them a smile! Give half a boat width to the green bouys on the coxes left along the stretch between Emmanuel School BC and the crossover.

Round the small right-hand bend out of the crossover and leading into Chiswick Eyot, position yourselves in the middle between the bank on your right and the RNLI Pier on your left. Down the island you want to be in the middle as well.

You are now halfway down the course as you leave Chiswick Eyot and lead into the long Surrey bend. It is so easy to lose time by cutting the corner here, to stop this you should have half a boat width to the middle on the coxes right. Exiting the Surrey bend, come underneath the final bridge at Hammersmith with the stroke side blades underneath the second lamppost from the right-hand buttress.

Along the red bouys and down the straight to Barn Elms, have a boat width between you and the red bouys. Make sure you do not overcook the rudder coming out of Hammersmith Bridge and end up having to move to the left to make up for it. Once you get to the milepost, line up your bow between Barn Elms and the trees on the right of it.

Once again do not cut the corner by Fulham Football club, there is barely any stream there and you will lose a chunk of time. Follow the bend round as you pass the white building on the Middlesex side, and leave a boat width between you and the black bouy. Straight down the line of boats, build the rate and power to the finish line!

For all athletes racing today, we here at JuniorRowingNews wish you a successful race!

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