Welcome to the 2021 Head of the Yarra, "the race that stops a small neighbourhood".

The cancellation of the 2020 race due to COVID was inevitable in hindsight. Notwithstanding this, 2021 brings additional challenges for the running of the HOTY.

There are major sewer works in Creswick St where many trailers have historically parked, and this has severely impacted on the event size.

THERE IS NO TRAILER PARKING AT THE FINISH

The finish line bridge is currently shrouded in tarpaulins as maintenance proceeds, and the lower park playground is currently dug up for improvement and enlargement.

A long awaited ramp replacement at HRC is scheduled for a month starting late July.

An undisclosed installation is scheduled for the river bank at the start, and the usual parking area is allocated to others, with space for boats and trailers one hundred meters away from the 2019 site.

COVID 19 continues to be a major risk as at writing, NSW is hosting a major outbreak, with severe travel restrictions. Perhaps with increased vaccination rates, the risk of a cancellation or restriction will be less in five months, but the risk remains.

With all of these factors, the HOTYOC has been very conservative in deciding the running of the regatta.

At this stage, we have decided on an upper entry cap of 180 boats, and a minimum entry size of 140 boats. We will be working hard to increase the entry cap and decrease the minimum number to run the event. Early entry will greatly assist HRC in handling the restrictions - it will both ensure the event is run, and drive HRC to increase the event size.

HOTYOC believes that the holding the HOTY in 2021 is a sentinel event in Australian Rowing, and we will strive to deliver this event for rowers from across Australia and the region.

Good luck, and I hope to see you in November

Peter Wilson ‘21 HOTY Organising Committee Chair.

30/6/2021