Pat Freeland-Small 11/23/25 Pat Freeland-Small 11/23/25

2025 Race Wrap

A wrap-up of all the action from the 64th Head of the Yarra, Saturday November 22nd 2025.

Fastest Crew Sydney Men’s Open 8 - Head of the Yarra Winners.

PERFECT CONDITIONS FOR THE 64th HEAD OF THE YARRA

Saturday November 22nd 2025, Melbourne's beautiful Yarra River was the scene of an epic boat race, with 240 crews in eight-oared shells battling for line honours and bragging rights over the gruelling 8km course, "Australia's Rowing Classic", the Head of the Yarra.

Racing was tight with the two top men’s crews Sydney Rowing Club and Melbourne University separated by less than half a second with the winning time of 24 min 57secs. Some 2200 rowers from all over Australia and New Zealand competed in 30 categories from schoolgirls to octogenarians.

The field included dozens of rowers with Olympic and international credentials, three crews from the Australian DefenceForces, and a host of New Zealand crews (here to beat the Aussies) and numerous interstate crews.

Melbourne’s weather gave us perfect rowing conditions, with moderate temperatures, light winds and smooth water. The race started at historic Boathouse Drive in the heart of the city, passed the Botanic Gardens, Melbourne's sporting precinct and Herring Island.

Coxswains were challenged to steer their boats against the current, under 11 bridges, along the winding course and around the perilous Big Bend. Spectators took up vantage points along the river, on bridges and from bike paths, joining the carnival celebrations at the finish, at Riverside Park in Hawthorn.

Head of the Yarra, and the fastest crew on the day, was the Sydney Men’s Eight stroked by A Nichol, rowing the course in a time of 24 min, 57 seconds, just 0.47 seconds ahead of Melbourne University, with Mercantile third in 25:26. In the elite Women’s Eights, Melbourne University, stroked by Zara Lavery, took the honours in 28 minutes 47 seconds, followed by Sydney and UTS.

Amongst the Masters, the Mercantile/Banks Men’s F Grade were clear winners in 30:42:85, with their star-studded crew including James Tomkins, Drew Ginn, and stroke David Crayshaw. Barbarians composite, featuring 2020 Olympic Gold Medallist Rosie Popa and stroked by P Spoors, were fastest Mixed Masters in a time of 29:27.

The Banks Composite Male Masters I crew, with an average age of 83-85 years and the oldest competitor, 90 year old Derek Wilson, finished in 44:02.

Amongst the youngsters, the under 17s, Newcastle Grammar had the fastest boys (34:22) and also the fastest girls. Under 19 winners were Sydney University Composite boys (30:13) and Mercantile girls (34:23).

Champion cox, steering the nominal 8km course in a corner-cutting 7.934km, was Angus Blackwood, earning the gratitude of his Brisbane Grammarians crew. Surprisingly, none of the top ten coxes were from Victorian crews. So much for local knowledge!

SAVE THE DATE The 2026 Head of the Yarra will be on Saturday November 28th 2026.

Race vision for news media and rights free photographs are available for download from the media section of our website.

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Pat Freeland-Small 11/15/25 Pat Freeland-Small 11/15/25

The 2025 Race Schedule

64th Head of the Yarra, Saturday November 22nd 2025 - The Race Schedule for the day, plus information for competitors and supporters.

2025 Race Draw

Racing from 8.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday 22nd November.

This bulletin contains information for crews and supporters on race day activities and times. We look forward to welcoming the 2,500 competitors in the 2025 Head of the Yarra.

The 2025 racing starts at 8.00am with youth crews first away followed by elder masters to younger masters, then club crews. The fastest categories of elite rowers are expected to finish at Hawthorn around 1.30pm - 2.30pm.

With the early start please note crews rowing to the city start from Hawthorn must be away by 6.30am arriving in the city by 7.15am at latest.. The river is closed to downstream traffic at 7.15 am to accomodate the 8.00am start.

Leave plenty of time to collect your race number and GPS tracker from the administration tent near MUBC on race day. You can also pick up your crew’s complimentary competitors T-shirt packs from Hawthorn Rowing Club after your race on Saturday. Alternatively, crews boating from Hawthorn may like to collect bow numbers, trackers and complimentary competitors T-Shirt packs at Hawthorn on Friday 21 November between 1.00pm - 6.00pm.

Be on the water for your start at least 5 minutes before your race. Line up in bow number order, lowest to highest, grid style 4 abreast about 50 meters behind the Henley Judges-Box start. With a running start, crews in each race will be sent away in 20 second intervals, with the gap between the race categories designed to minimise crew category overlap.

There will be 5 medal ceremonies broadcasted from the main stage in Hawthorn throughout the day, starting at 10.15 am and finishing at 3.15 pm. The Final presentation around 2.45pm will include the six-fastest race categories plus Cox of the Course.

After your race, when your boat is racked enjoy the post race carnival in the Yarra Bank Reserve Hawthorn. Food, drink as well as a range of goods and activities of interest to rowers is available for purchase, so bring a credit card or device. Your race day kit should include footwear, sun-smart cover and hydration. The river is expected to be opened by around 3.30pm for crews doing the return journey downstream

The entire days racing will be webcast, so share the weblink with your clubmates and supporters.

Don’t forget to have one of your crew fill out a crew postcard via the website link, so our commentary team can give you a shoutout in the broadcast.

Finally Richmond Rowing Club (closest rowing shed to the Arts Precinct) are running a welcome BBQ on Friday evening 21st from around 6.30pm onwards for any rowers who may be interested in an informal social get together in the heart of Melbourne’s boathouse precinct.

We wish you all an enjoyable 2025 Head of the Yarra experience.