The world’s largest rowing race is one that demands technical mastery and strategic brilliance from coxes: thousands of shells on the water, strict rules of racing and stiff competition make the Head of The Charles the ultimate test of coxing ability.
Ahead of this year’s race (18th-20th October 2024), JRN and NK Sports spoke to Kaitlyn Sill—coxswain, Vice President of Delaware Men’s Crew, and veteran Head of The Charles competitor—for the inside scoop on executing the perfect campaign.
Pre-race Preparations
As with all good plans, preparation begins well ahead of the start line. Assuming you and your crew have trained well in the preceding months, your focus when you arrive in Cambridge should be on getting acquainted with the area, the course and the unique logistics of racing on the Charles.
Come race day, Kaitlyn stresses the need to minimise any chances of a preventable failure: “Make sure all your equipment – CoxBoxes, StokeCoaches – are fully charged and packed the night before. The morning of your race, get the rowers to check their rigging is tight and double-check the steering and electricals.”
“I also like to take a few tools with me on the water,” she adds, “spanners, an adjustable wrench, Allen keys and electrical tape.”
Once you’ve overcome the treachery of boating from your launch dock, the next challenge is to navigate the warm-up basin. Tensions often run high ahead of the start, so the job of cox becomes part coach, part mentor.
“The water in the warm-up basin can get choppy, particularly at the top. Prepare your crew and brief them on what to expect before you get there,” says Kaitlyn.
After you’ve warmed up, make your way to the start line, trying to line up in numerical order where possible. “Usually, the marshals are super helpful in helping you get sorted,” she adds. Just be sure to keep your head on a swivel and pay attention to the organisers’ instructions.”
Once you’re lined up, you’re ready to race.
Coxing The Course
The Head of The Charles course is punctuated by six key bridges along its winding three-mile path. Kaitlyn’s advice focuses on how to use each bridge as a guide to find your crew’s fastest racing line.
As you emerge from the shadow of the BU bridge, Magazine Beach is your first immediate landmark on your starboard side (right/bow). Given that the first bend of the course is a 90-degree right-hander, it can be tempting to hug the starboard buoy line, but Kaitlyn cautions against such action. “The Magazine Beach launch dock is just beyond that line, so there’s often more wash and the occasional rogue crew a little too close for comfort there.”
After rounding the first bend, you’ll be faced with the ‘powerhouse stretch’. “It’s basically a huge straight line through three bridges: River Street Bridge, Western Avenue Bridge, and Weeks Footbridge.”
“Take the middle span of all the bridges on the straight – the right-hand span is usually open too, so you can take it if you need to, but it’s almost always slower.”
River Street and Western Avenue Bridges tend to be fairly straightforward to navigate, but the final turn into Weeks Bridge is more challenging.
“As you approach Weeks Bridge, point your bow at the ‘turning tree’ through the middle span – it sounds ridiculous, but when you first see the tree, you’ll know the one! It turns [colour] before all the others.”
Coxes can also aim to have their bows slightly to the starboard (right) side of Lowell House’s immediately recognisable blue dome.
“Resist the temptation to turn too much before the bridge,” Kaitlyn urges, “you should aim to turn to port (left/stroke) as you pass under the bridge. Any earlier and you’ll lose time, any later and you risk not making the turn.”
After Weeks, cut across for the run through Anderson Bridge and settle in as you pass the two-mile mark.
Next up is the notorious Elliot Bridge complex.
“People get stressed about Elliot,” Kaitlyn says, “but if you practice and keep up your awareness of what’s happening around you, you’ll be fine.”
“The key is hugging the buoy line but abandoning it as soon as you see a straight shot through the middle arch. The course veers back to starboard (right/bow) after Elliot, so don’t get caught up and end up without enough space to turn.”
There are, in fact, two buoy lines as you approach Elliot. The racing-side line is the official boundary, meaning if needed, you can drop your blades over the buoy line, so long as your shell remains firmly within the course.
“The right-hand arch of Elliot is open,” adds Kaitlyn, “but no one recommends it. It’s a last resort.”
After you’ve negotiated Elliot, it’s a simple right-hand turn into the final 500 meters of the race. It’s busy, noisy and exciting – your crew’s chance to put on a show.
After the finish line
“After you cross the finish line, the marshals will insist you keep rowing, and they’ll basically tell you what they want you to do.”
Coxes should watch for other boats on the water, follow the marshals’ instructions, and make their way back to the launch dock as soon as possible.
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