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.