2025 Race Wrap
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.
Hawthorn Rowing Club
2a Burwood Rd
Hawthorn 3122
