Sunday 18th May 2025

Champion of the Thames RC will be running Champs Eights Head on Sunday 19 May 2024 with racing on a 1450m course upstream from the Plough to the site of the former Penny Ferry pub.

Queries and questions can be sent to our Events Secretary via this webform.

Divisions

Divisions will be run with a maximum entry of 40 crews per division. Your chosen division will be secured once payment has been received for your entry. Should the event be over-subscribed, we will consider adding an additional division rather than expanding planned divisions.

Provisional division times are: Division 1: 12:00 | Division 2: 13:30 | Division 3: 15:00

Entries

Entries can be made through the form below and will close at 17.00 on Wednesday 14th May 2025 or when the divisions are full – whichever is sooner. Late entries will be considered until Friday 16th May 2025 at 17.00 if space is available to accommodate your crew – please contact the Events Secretary via the enquires for below or email:events@championrowing.org.uk

Full details for payment is given on completion of your entry via the form linked above. Entries will be charged at £96/boat (£12/seat excluding coxes). Payment must be received before your race numbers are issued. No crews will be allowed to race without payment having been made.

Entries will be accepted in College Bumps and CRA categories as follows:

College Men’s 8s:         Mays Divisions M1, 2, 3, 4, 5 + GoR

College Women’s 8s:   Mays Divisions W1, 2, 3, 4, 5 + GoR

CRA 8s:                         Championship, Club A, Club B, Novice, Masters, Junior

Should a category have 2 or fewer entries the organiser reserves the right to combine categories to create meaningful competition.

College crews, please note that your category is the division in which your boat would have finished in last year’s May bumps, not your current crew number (e.g. College current W1 raced in Mays W2). Any crews that will be entering the Getting-on Race are welcome to enter as M5/6 or W4/5.

CRA crews, please note that categories will be as defined per events offered by the CRA winter league:

• Championship – highest category: aimed at crews who will be racing off-cam at National events this season. (See notes below)
• Club A – average more than 2 BR or CRA event wins in last 24 months (head race or regatta) who are below Championship level.
• Club B – average less than 2 BR or CRA event wins in last 24 months (head race or regatta) on or off cam
• Novice – Maximum of 2 members of the crew have won a BR or CRA event (head race or regatta) before 1st January 2018.

Notes:

• A crew may always enter a higher category than that for which they are qualified
• The status of a crew is as at close of entries. If your category changes between making the entry and close of entries, please advise the entries secretary
• No substitutions that will take the crew into a higher category are allowed without the crew changing status or racing Time Only.  Should any category have more than 8 entries the organiser reserves the right to expand the categories (e.g Club A, Club B, Club C or Novice and Beginner).

Pre-Race and Boating

Race numbers can be collected from Clare College Boat House from 7:45am on the day of the race.  Numbers will be boards that fit into boat Empacher slots.  

At the end of racing each club must return numbers to the City of Cambridge boathouse where there will be a “post bin” for numbers.  Any number not returned will incur a £5 charge to cover the cost of replacement.

The event organisers may do spot checks of crews that are racing to ensure that they comply with British Rowing’s RowSafe guidelines.

Marshalling

All crews must be in the marshalling area 20 minutes before the start of their division.  Crews will marshal on the towpath side of the river from the start downstream from the Plough.  Numbered boards will indicate the marshalling positions of crews.

Racing

• The race course will be a mile run from the Plough in Fen Ditton to the Winter League finish line before the Green Dragon bridge.
• Crews must row downstream and spin at Bites Bait lock before returning to the pre-start position.
• Once crossing the finish line crews should continue to row until they are clear of the finish line.
• Crews overtaking have priority on the racing line (i.e. the inside line on any corner).  Any crew impeding another during an overtaking manoeuvre will be awarded a time penalty. Claims of impedance must be reported to the finish immediately after the division.
• Competitors and coaches are reminded of the need for courtesy to other river users, including walkers and anglers and to respect the river’s wildlife.
• Timing will be by RowClock with back-up paper timing.  In the past some crews have queried times on the basis of in-boat timing apps such as Strava and Rowing In Motion. Having tested these we have found that that times from the apps can vary by as much as 5 seconds from people in the same boat.  Such timings will therefore not be considered in any appeal.
• Time penalties may be awarded for any crews not following the event instructions or acting in an unsporting manner.
• We aim to film the racing and stream this online.

Prizes

Prizes will be given for Senior categories with 3 or more entries or Junior categories with 2 or more entries.  Prize giving for winning crews take place at 4pm at the Clare College Boathouse.

Safety

The Champion of the Thames Rowing Club personnel will endeavour at all times to ensure a safe event, but all competitors must follow marshals’ instructions and be alert at all times to the safety of themselves and others.

All competing Clubs have the responsibility to ensure that their crews and scullers abide by the Row Safe: A Guide to Good Practice in Rowing. In particular, all Clubs must ensure that:

• Inexperienced crews have experienced coxswains.
• Coaches of novice must crews evaluate the ability of these crews and consider whether they require an individual bank party on a bicycle, carrying a throw-bag, to escort them before, during and after the race. 
• All junior crews MUST have a bank party on a bicycle, carrying a throw-bag.
• Competitors are aware of the BR Row Safe Code, the Event Safety Information and Competitor’s Guidance and have been instructed in capsize drill.
• Competitors are competent to take part in the event without putting other people at risk.
• Competitors are responsible for proceeding safely at all times, especially to the start and after the finish.

The Row Safe guide is available at 

https://www.britishrowing.org/about-us/policies-guidance/rowsafe/

Equipment

It is the responsibility of each crew to ensure that the equipment they are using is safe and compliant with the requirements of the BR Rules of Racing and Row Safe: A Guide to Good Practice in Rowing.   Event organisers may make spot checks on boat safety.  Coxes arriving at the start without a suitable lifejacket or buoyancy aid will be disqualified.  Any boat deemed unsafe will be disqualified and asked to return to its boat house with its crew.

Swimming Ability

Every competitor is expected to be in good health and must be able to swim a minimum of 100 metres in their kit.  The river is relatively narrow and shallow in most places, and there is good access from the bank along the extent of the race course, however all crews should make due allowance for the stream and for points of the river which have increased depth or where navigation is more difficult.

Juniors

All junior crews MUST have a bank party on a bicycle.

Accidents

If you see an accident, give appropriate assistance if required.  A marshal will take action or alert the rescue services by radio or phone as necessary.  The whole course is visible to marshals, and there will be marshals with throw lines along the course.  In the event of capsize please stay with your boat, check for the safety of all members of your crew and await assistance from marshals.

Insurance

All crews must have adequate third party insurance.

Health Information

Competitors are reminded that the Cam water is likely to contain the Leptospirosis (Weil’s Disease) bacterium other sources of harmful and infectious diseases.  Ensure pre-existing cuts, blisters etc. are covered with a suitable waterproof dressing before going afloat.  Cuts, blisters etc. sustained during the race should be thoroughly washed immediately upon return to the boathouse.  Should you be unlucky enough to fall in, please ensure you shower at the earliest possible opportunity.  It is recommended that water bottles (including those with a “sports top”) are placed in a waterproof plastic bag, rather than loose in the bottom of the boat, to reduce the risk of contact with unclean river water.

Marshalls

The BR Rules of Racing (https://www.britishrowing.org/events/entering-events/rules-of-racing/) will apply. The marshals will stop the race if an unsafe situation arises.

Allow plenty of time to boat before the scheduled start time. All boats must be downstream of the Green Dragon footbridge 20 mins before the advertised start time; crews that are late will be turned back.

Marshals will be posted at regular intervals (see map) throughout the course, on both banks of the river wherever possible. Marshals will be wearing high-visibility tops, and will be equipped with radios, mobile phones, loud hailers, throw lines, and emergency foil blankets.

Incidents

Report any incidents immediately to any marshal or to the control desk. In the event of an incident needing reporting to British Rowing, the Chief Marshal will liaise with the club(s) concerned and report(s) filed with British Rowing accordingly.

Failure to Abide by Safety Instructions

Champion of the Thames want to run a safe event that can be enjoyed by all concerned. It is imperative that all competitors abide by instructions given to them for their safety. Failure to abide by the instructions in this document, other instructions given to competitors, or instructions given by marshals on the day, may lead to disqualification from the event.

Weather

The race takes pace in April, so weather may wam, cold, windy, wet or any combination thereof. If the forecast for the race is poor, or if conditions worsen during the day, the race organisers will make an assessment prior to the race start and may cancel racing either for specific crews (e.g. juniors) or for everyone.  Refunds will be offered if this is needed.

• FOG OR OTHERWISE REDUCED VISIBLITY In the event of fog or otherwise reduced visibility making racing unsafe, the organisers may delay, suspend, or cancel racing. This will be clearly communicated to crews at the boathouse areas.
• HIGH WIND, SNOW, HEAVY RAIN etc In the event of adverse weather such as High Wind, Snow, Heavy Rain, the organisers may delay, suspend, or cancel racing. This will be clearly communicated to crews at the boathouse areas. In the event of racing going ahead in less-than-ideal conditions (e.g.: moderate winds), it is up to coaches to assess whether any particular crew is capable of coping with conditions. Crews not deemed capable of safely competing in such conditions may withdraw and will receive a full refund.
• LIGHTNING PLAN The Met Office forecast will be consulted prior to the event to check if thunderstorms are at all likely. The Event Safety Adviser will watch the weather for the (unlikely) event that thunderstorms affect one or more of the divisions. In the unlikely event that a thunderstorm occurs during the event, the provisions laid down in the document “Recommendations for Lightning Protection in Sport” (available from British Rowing) shall be followed if feasible:
  • “Suspension and resumption of rowing shall follow the 30 second/10 minute rule: rowing shall stop when the flash-to-bang count is 30 seconds or less, and shall not resume until 10 minutes after the last lightning”
  • Ideally crews shall be cleared from the water and shepherded back to the landing stages by safety and Race marshals as rapidly as possible.
  • Marshals will instruct all athletes, officials and spectators to move into their vehicles or into a suitable building.
  • The 30-10 rule should give sufficient time to clear all crews from the river safely.
  • Any Race Monitor observing lightning, shall inform the Event Safety Advisor and Race Control immediately; umpires and race marshals will instruct crews to return to landing stages as quickly and as safely as possible.

However, it is recognised that there is negligible safe shelter adjacent to the further reaches of the Cam Head course and that crews may well be safer staying in their boats than standing exposed on the (higher) bank.

Whether they are directed to stay stationary in their boats, drawn in to the bank, or to return to the landing stages, will depend on their distance from the landing stages when lightning is first observed.

The safety advisors reserve the right to amend this plan on the day if weather or conditions on the day make this necessary.

In which case, or if the event has to be cancelled, information will be posted on the Champs website https://championrowing.org.uk/ and will be announced at Race Control.

Key Positions

Events Secretary - Les Whitfield 07973 323451 events@championrowing.org.uk

Safety Officer - Ian Knights 07768 174500

Welfare Officer - TBC

Control - Race control at City boathouse, Kimberley Road, Cambridge CB4 1HJ Collect race numbers.

Start - Plough Reach (see map)

Finish - 1450m upstream of the Plough by the site of the former Penny Ferry Pub.

Marshals - As marked on map (wearing yellow/orange tabards) All equipped with throw lines/radios/thermal blankets/megaphones/mobile phones

Hospital - Accident and Emergency at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Hill’s Road, Cambridge t: 01223 217118

Emergency - Fire, Police, Ambulance 999

Emergency Access Points

Much of the river is relatively narrow and the majority of the river is easily accessible from the towpath. Marshals can see all parts of the river and will be stationed at regular intervals throughout the course. Nevertheless, potentially dangerous areas on the river include:

• Stretch of river between Cutter Ferry Bridge and the Cantabridgian boathouse (no access to river from bank, high wall at side of river). Marshals will be in place in this stretch of river to assist as needed with navigation.
• Sharp corner at the Green Dragon footbridge (Marshals will be in place in this stretch of river to assist as needed with navigation).

Postcodes, GPS , what3words /// locations:

All GPS positions in Degrees East and North. In general the tow path is not suitable for rapid vehicle access.

A: Combined Boathouse, Logan’s Way. CB4 1EQ E: 0.14009; N: 52.21190 /// bikes.congratulations.spring

B. Green Dragon Foot Bridge (North side). Pedestrian access to race finish only. Water Street. CB4 1NZ E: 0.14546; N52.21771 /// uses.early.hogs

C. Vehicle access to finish on common, South side of river via key locked gate at Riverside (key access from Cambridge City Council) CB5 8EY Locked gate: E: 0.14489; N:52.21495 /// cards.deeper.public

D. Vehicle access to western (nearest to Cambridge) tow path (code locked, vehicular access); Also coordinates for Penny Ferry (formerly Pike & Eel Public House) CB4 1PA E: 0.15052; N:52.21885 /// march.needed.path

E. Vehicle tow path access on Fen Road, Chesterton, near rail way bridge. Gated, code locked, vehicular access to tow path near railway crossing over river Cam. Pedestrian access. CB4 1TX E: 0.15523; N: 52.22034 /// every.zebra.smart

F. Vehicular access to tow path from Grassy Corner, Fen Road. Code locked, vehicular access (rough, wet terrain for 100 m). CB4 1TU Fen Road access: E: 0.16457; N: 52.22698 /// hired.spirit.mass Tow path joining point: E: 0.16647; N: 52.22654 ///bugs.vital.wake

G. Car park at Towpath for access to Baites Bite lock & weir, (code locked) eastern section of Tow path and start point. CB24 6AF Car Park E: 0.17803; N: 52.23757 /// career.extent.tested

H. Vehicle access to Ditton Corner (south, non-tow path side) at end of Long Reach, via Fen Ditton High Street CB5 8ST E: 0.16779; N: 52.22271 /// deals.protester.pothole

I. Vehicle access to First post corner (east, non-towpath side) from Green End, Fen Ditton. CB5 8SZ E: 0.17068; N: 52.22795 /// overgrown.regrowth.puppy

Prizes

For 2025 we again have prizes and special awards to make it another challenging and entertaining event including:

• Category winner prizes
• Champagne for breaking the current course records for Men’s and Women’s crews
• Awards for fastest Men’s and Women’s crews on the day – the John Stewart and the Helen Patterson trophies
• Champion Cox awards for judged best lines around Ditton CorNear
• Best starts Men’s and Women’s

Results

Final results will be published below. Presentations will take place at the Clare Boathouse Boathouse from approx 16.15.

Course Fastest Times

College Men       (2019 – M Course Record) – Caius M1 4:13.0

CRA Men (2019) – Cambridge 99 M2 4:44.2

College Women (2019 – W Course Record) – Newnham W1   4:54.6

CRA Women (2018) – Cantabrigian Senior Women 4:57.2

Past winners of the John Stewart and Helen Patterson trophies (for the fastest time each year) can be found here.

Future Dates

Each year we aim to run this event on the 3rd Sunday in May. Future dates are to be approved by Cambridgeshire Rowing Association & Cam Conservators.

Enquiries

Entry Form

Final Draw

Final draw for Sunday 19 May is published below.

Final Results

Final results are published below:

Other Documents