2025 HOTY Promo Video - Youtube

1.0 SUMMARY DETAILS FOR 2025

  • The 64th Head of the Yarra - an 8 km time-trial from the Melbourne CBD to Hawthorn.

  • Race start is at the earlier time of 8.00 am, Saturday, 22nd November 2025.

  • Interstate & Overseas entry reservations (to facilitate travel and accommodation  arrangements for overseas and inter-state entrants) will be available from 9.00 am on 5th March 2025.  (A quota will apply for Interstate entries to help manage the 280 crew race quota).

  • Victorian Crew race registrations and entry will open at 9.00 am 4th August 2025. (A quota of race entries, based on recent Victorian crew entry trends, is in reserve to facilitate local Victorian club entries).

  • On entry there will then be an immediate invoicing of entries to ensure limited race slots have commitment. Payment of the entry invoice is required within 7 days. If payment has not been made within 7 days the entry will be forfeited for redistribution.  Note that 50% of race fee is non-refundable. This component is treated as an entry commitment.

  • On registration of crew entries (up until 6 weeks out from entry), the only information required is Club, Crew race category id (e.g. Men’s Open # 1), and a crew contact ( to finalise crew names & composition prior to 6 weeks out from race).

  • Crew contacts will be required to finalise their crew names and race category by entry close at 9.00am Monday13/10/25.

  • For all entries, crew names, composition and the resultant crew race category are essential 6 weeks prior to race.

  • The closing date for race registrations is 9.00 am on 13th October (6 weeks prior to race day), or earlier, if the race entry cap has been reached. Please read the Race Entry Conditions prior to race registration.

  • There will be no refunding of any part of entry fees after entry closes on Monday13/10/25 at 9.00am.

  • When the race entry cap (of 280 crews) is reached, we will accept entries onto a waiting list.

  • Australian crew entry is via ROWING MANAGER.

  • International entrants should complete the Google Form for International Entrants and email it to Liz Ballan(Regatta Operations Manager, Rowing Victoria) at Liz@rowingvictoria.asn.au

  • The 2025 Head of the Yarra Seat Fee is $75.

  • 2025 Entry Cap - 280, exclusively 8-oared crews.

  • The entire 2025 Head of the Yarra event will be broadcast live via HOTYTV enabling all clubs to set up remote live sites at their own clubhouses for social engagement activities and to cheer on their representative crews on race day.

1.1 RACE ORDER 2025

Racing will be conducted over 4 brackets starting at 8.00 am. The Under 17 and Under 19 crews have been allocated the first bracket to facilitate early departure after completing their racing and to reduce heat risk. The older masters are in the second bracket, again to reduce heat risk.  The younger masters and the club/open categories will be conducted in the third and fourth brackets.  Additional information on Race Categories is available <HERE>.

1.2 PARA-ROWING

This year’s event will again include a Para Eight event. Athletes wishing to compete in this year’s Para Eight event must hold a Rowing Australia Provisional or National Class-action classification. If you are unsure of your classification status or require classification, please email Chad King: cking@rowingaustralia.com.au at Rowing Australia.

1.3 TRAILER PARKING

Competitors are encouraged to park their boat trailers in the City at Boathouse Drive. Limited boat trailer parking is available at Creswick Street, Hawthorn, which must be pre-booked <CLICK HERE>. (LINK TO BE ADDED)

Options and rules for parking are covered <HERE>.

1.4 RACE BROADCAST

In 2025 the full day’s racing will be broadcast live and free on this website via HOTY TV. Competitors can watch the race on their devices. Additionally, all competing clubs are invited to host remote club social activities in their boathouses utilising the race stream as the backdrop to cheer on their representative crews.

1.5 VOLUNTEERS

Running Australia's biggest single rowing event requires a large team of volunteers.  Here are details on how to VOLUNTEER.

1.6 PARTNERS & SPONSORS

If you would like to partner with us on running the 2025 event please contact Simon Watts on 0418 791 679.

1.7 GENERAL ENQUIRIES

For all enquiries contact the regatta team by email at hoy-enq@hawthornrowingclub.com.

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