HOW TO COXTHE HEAD OF THE CHARLES

Oct. 18 & 19, 2019

Officiallysanctioned by:

18TH ANNUAL

Sponsored by:

AND

NK Ad Goes here-1/2

ContentsA Quick Review of Steering Technique for Head Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Steering Directions for the Head Of The Charles® . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Dangerous Spots in Detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Devising a Passing Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

How to Avoid Penalties and Collisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Rules of Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Head Racing Strategy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Gauging Your Success. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Special Thanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

©2002-Present Yaz Farooq. All rights reserved.

4 Coxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved.

A Quick Review of Steering Technique for Head RacingGood steering really requires finesse, especially in races where you have to physicallyhang corners and maneuver around other boats. Your goal should be for your steering tohave as little effect on the balance of the boat as possible. You can achieve this bysteering subtly on straight stretches, and by communicating clearly with your team onmajor turns.

Holding the Tiller RopesSet your palms on the gunwales of the boat, and grasp the tiller knobs using your thumband first two fingers. The gunwale should be in between your third and fourth fingers.This allows you to use your fourth and pinky fingers to press against the gunwales, and

enables you to hold yourself in the boat effectively.(Depending on the boat, you may have the gunwalebetween your second and third fingers). You cansimultaneously steer with your fingers, and pushagainst the gunwales with your arms to hold yourbody against the back of the seat and better braceyourself at race pace. Also, steering with your fingers,instead of your hands ensures that your steering issmooth and subtle, which in turn helps keep the boatbalanced.

You should make sure that the actual motion of steering involves pushing the tillerknobs, and not pulling them. To go to starboard, gently push the right tiller knob forward.To go port, gently push the left tiller knob forward. Steering where you pull on theopposite knobs often results in delayed boat response (especially if there is slack in thetiller rope), and is much more jerky. It almost always upsets the balance of the boat.

Steering TechniquesThe most important thing to remember about steering is that if you are in a situationwhere you need to steer immediately, do it! If your steering will affect the balance ofthe boat, communicate this to your crew. That said, the following techniques will outlineoptimal ways of steering for different scenarios. If you pay attention to feeling howyour steering affects the boat you can master each of these techniques effectively. Forthis weekend’s regatta, it would be best if you steer with the technique that you typicallyuse. There’s no need to surprise your team with anything new (especially a change inhow you steer) at a regatta as challenging as the Head. But hopefully these guidelineswill help you with your long-term technique.

Steering Technique for Head Racing

5

Technique #1: Steering on the recovery

Whenever possible, you want to gently nudge the tiller ON THE RECOVERY. The boatresponds more quickly on the recovery than if you steer during the drive, and you don’t workagainst the propulsion of the blades in the water. The key here is SUBTLE. It takes muchless of an effort to get the boat to change direction. The right time to use this kind of steeringis if you need to adjust your point slightly and you can do it on the recovery of one stroke.This technique is most effective when you’re at rate 30 or above and trying to go in astraight line. If you have a major adjustment to make, do not steer on the recovery, as itwill throw off the balance of the boat. Steering on the recovery can work at lower strokerates if the point adjustment is minimal.

Technique #2: Steering over several strokes

On gradual corners, it will be least upsetting to the boat to slowly and smoothly initiate theturn on the DRIVE, all the while communicating this to your team. A comment: “I’m gentlyeasing the boat to port,” or “I’m straightening out” lets the crew know they may need toadjust their handle heights somewhat. Do not “Pulse” steer—where you steer only when theblades are in the water. This only makes the boat rock. The motion should be smooth andsteady, and may take place during both drive and recovery. The key is for the motion to besmooth, not “on and off.” In a stiff quartering or cross headwind, you may need to move thetiller and hold it in place over several strokes to keep your point. Moving the tiller on thedrive will probably upset the boat the least in this case. The key here is to not be moving thetiller back and forth every stroke.Hold it in position until the desired point is achieved, then ease back—again beginning themotion when the blades are in the water. When you do this, let your team know, so that theycan accommodate with a handle-height adjustment.Similarly, in a crosswind, a comment like, “I’ve got the tiller set slightly to port to keep usgoing straight in this crosswind” keeps your team in tune with why the boat feels the way itdoes.

Technique #3: Full tiller with possible assistance from your team

In head racing you often have to navigate some serious curves. For starters, your coachshould review the course with the team and prepare everyone for strategizing for these turns.You will have to steer smoothly over several strokes, and may even need to “set the tiller”full port or full starboard. As you approach a major corner, let your team know it’s comingup. Tell them when you begin to steer: “I’m starting the Weeks Bridge corner to port…I’mat full tiller,” Tell them if you plan to use their power: “Starboards get ready to hit it…NOW”). If you need your other side to row with less pressure to make the turn, let themknow. As the turn is completed, tell the team when to return to “even pressure” and that youare straightening the boat out.

Coxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved. Steering Technique for Head Racing

6 Coxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved.

Bowloader Steering Set-upCoaches: Please set-up the steering so that when the lever is moved towards starboard, the boatactually turns to starboard (same set-up as an eight). This is safer for everybody on the water.Imagine if someone changed your launch steering wheel so that your boat went to the right everytime you turned to the left.

Quick note: If your cox has been practicing with your current boat set up differently, don’t makethis change until after the regatta so that you have time to re-train. If you are borrowing a boat thatis set-up one way and your cox is used to steering with it the other way, ask if you can switch theropes for your race for the sake of safety. The Charles is one of the toughest courses in the world.You don’t want to endanger other crews by having your coxswain steer the opposite of what isfamiliar.

Steering a BowloaderWith bowloaders, and today’s typical steering technology, the steering lever needs to be movedquite a bit to get a response from the tiller. That, combined with the fact that you’re probably in afour, a less stable boat than an 8+, means that you most likely have to steer using Technique #2, onthe DRIVE. You may have to hold the tiller in place until the change of direction is achieved, andthen steer carefully back to center, again initiating on the drive. A sternloaded four can be steeredas 8+’s. Again, when in a situation where you suddenly need to respond immediately, the bottomline is to steer however you have to - as soon as possible. Let your team know if you have time.

Steering Technique for Head Racing

StartThe starting chute will set you up perfectlyto enter the correct arch of the BU Bridge(2nd arch from the Cambridge shore). Keepat least two lengths between yourself andthe boat in front of you as you enter thestarting chute at the BU Boathouse. You donot want to catch anyone going into the BUBridge because there isn’t enough room toexecute a pass before or through the bridge.The arch next to the Cambridge shore is“Out of Bounds” and will incur a 60-second penalty for your crew if you takeit. As Geoffrey Knauth notes in his steeringplan for this course, “Get a good start, butmake sure you settle into a strong andsustainable rhythm as you go through theB.U. Bridge. Crews that extend the freneticpace of the start past the B.U. Bridge oftenfizzle early.”

As soon as you come out of the BU Bridgeyou’ll begin a gradual corner to starboardaround Magazine Beach. You can hug thegreen buoys off starboard here, but keepyour eyes peeled for small boats launchingfrom Magazine Beach and drifting buoysthat may have become dislodged. Missing abuoy is a 10-second penalty.

As you come around the last part of theturn--just before Riverside Boathouse--easeout to port to line up for a straight shotthrough the center arches of the bridges inthe Powerhouse Stretch. Note that thisstretch can be windy. If there’s heavytraffic bound for the center arch of RiverStreet, the right-hand (Cambridge shore)arch is just as quick. The yellow triangular

“1-mile down” buoy, is midway betweenRiver Street and Western Avenue on theCambridge shore.

It’s a straight shot down the Powerhousestretch through two bridges, so point on thecenter of the arch you have chosen. If youtook the right hand (Cambridge) arch forRiver Street, stay in the right hand arch forWestern Avenue. (The MIT coachesmeasured this stretch, and it is exactly thesame distance to Weeks Bridge as thecourse through the center arches. If MITmeasured it, I believe them—enough said.Plus, the right hand arch actually makes fora milder approach heading into theupcoming Weeks Bridge).

As you exit Western Avenue, let your teamknow where you are relative to other crewsfor the upcoming Weeks Bridge turn. If youstrategize well here, you can set yourself upfor a clean approach through the sharpestturn on the course, the Legendary Weeks.

Weeks Bridge ApproachOnce you emerge from the Western AvenueBridge, you want to point on the BlueDome/Tower, which is directly abovewhere the Weeks Bridge meets the Cam-bridge shore. However, the apex of the or-ange buoy line typically extends out to star-board of this point, so first, you’ll need topoint on the outermost edge of that buoyline, so that you don’t illegally cross it.When you get to that edge, you can then ad-just your point to where the Weeks Bridgemeets the Cambridge shore (directly belowthe Blue Dome, which disappears as youget closer). You’ll see a large bright & light

Steering Directions for the Head of the Charles©Three Miles, Seven Bridges, and a Serpentine CourseBy Yasmin Farooq, with classic highlights from former U.S. Team Coxswain Geoffrey Knauth

Coxing the Perfect Head Race Steering the Head of the Charles©©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq & Geoffrey Knauth. All rights reserved.

7

green tree on the very edge of the Cam-bridge shore—not the drooping tree—it’safter that. It’s tall and upright and a muchlighter color than the trees around it. Itstands out. That is the best marker to beginthe Weeks Bridge turn. When you’re 10strokes from that tree, ease to port untilyou’re pointed on the abutment on the star-board side of the center arch (there’s a bigconcrete oval on it). As you approach thetree tell your crew you’re about to begin theturn.When you come level with this tree, startthe turn to port. If your tiller is designed forsprint racing, and doesn’t turn very well,start a few strokes sooner. I recommendusing pressure from your starboard rowersas it is indeed a 90-degree turn. Call themin as needed (more so in an eight than afour) so that you cut the corner for the mostpart before the actual bridge. You want toemerge from the Weeks Bridge pointed onthe center arch of Anderson. If you take thecorner perfectly, your port blades will bevery near the port abutment of the centerarch as you exit the Weeks, and you’ll actu-ally be just off the orange buoy line on yourport side. A quick note here: the goal is toEXIT next to the port abutment, NOT enternext to the port abutment. This is true evenfor single scullers. If you use the correctpoints, you’ll enter the center of the archand exit near the port abutment. Huggingthe inside of the turn as you approach thebridge is inviting “Weeks’ Revenge”—you’ll lose serious time and may cause acollision for another crew that has taken theturn correctly. Worse case scenario, youmay crash into the Cambridge shore uponexit. If you enter the Weeks next to the portabutment you will be forced to do the entire90-degree turn AFTER the bridge, and willtake a major detour before being able tohead on the upcoming Anderson Bridge.

Now, if you took the Cambridge shorearches through the Powerhouse stretchleading up to Weeks, your turn should stillbegin near the “Turning Tree,” althoughyour actual turn through the Weeks won’tbe as sharp. Your goal is still to emergefrom Weeks Bridge pointed on the centerarch of Anderson Bridge. Finally, the righthand arch of the Weeks is an option, but itis an absolute last resort, as it takes youseriously off course and puts you right upagainst the rocks of the Cambridge river-bank..

When you’re midway between the WeeksBridge and Anderson Bridge you’re at theHalfway Mark of the race.

Just before your next bridge, you’ll passReunion Village on the Boston Shore. Anote from Geoffrey to use some externalmotivation if need be: “Listen for theannouncer to say something about you. Itmight give you a boost if they say some-thing nice, so row your best.”

Your next turn is a medium one back tostarboard through the Anderson Bridge.You must take the center arch. The right-hand (Cambridge shore) arch is “Out ofBounds” and will earn you a 60-secondpenalty if you take it. Start the turn a fewstrokes before the Anderson Bridge. I liketo use my ports to bring it around quickly.Your point as you come out of the bridgeshould be the orange buoys marking theouter edge of The Big Turn. Depending onthe light, they may be tough to see.If so, point just to the right edge of the tallwhite apartment building above it until thebuoys come into view).

Steering the Head of the Charles©©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq & Geoffrey Knauth. All rights reserved.

Coxing the Perfect Head Race8

An excellent point from Geoffrey: “AfterAnderson, the classic mistake is to getsucked in to port too close to Harvard’sNewell Boathouse, not realizing that New-ell is in a little bay of its own, and the redbuoys follow a concave shore line, only tocome out to the true course again after500m or so. So, stay away from those redport buoys after Anderson. You can visitNewell Boathouse at some other point; notduring your race.”

Between Anderson Bridge and the Big Turnyou’ll see the yellow cone off to starboardmarking ‘Two Miles down.’ This isMonastery Bay, because the marker istypically right by the doors of theMonastery of St. Mary and St John on theCambridge shore. From former HOCRAssistant Director Chris Kerber: “I’m surethere is plenty of praying on and off thewater there.” One mile to go!

As you close in on the peak of the BigTurn, you can put your port blades over theorange buoy line for the tightest turn. Bewary of boats on the other side of the buoyline that are warming up or cooling down.At the end of the Big Turn, there is a brief,but deceptively sharp turn to port just be-fore the Eliot Bridge. As you enter “DeadMan’s Curve” be prepared to use somestarboard pressure for a few strokes to helpyou accomplish this just before you enterthe actual bridge.

There will be more “stroke-by-stroke”commentary from the shore as you approachEliot. From Geoffrey: “Going byCambridge Boat Club to starboard, listenagain for an announcer to mention you byname. With half a mile to go, you want allthe moral support you can get.”

As you enter Eliot Bridge, your next turn isto starboard, and you want to go throughthe bridge at a diagonal emerging next tothe Belmont Hill boathouse on the Cam-bridge riverbank on the right. You’ll see afew green buoys there protecting the launcharea. If you aim to have your starboard oarsnear or over the last green buoy, you’ll cuta beautiful approach into a nice tight cornerto starboard for the last turn of the race.As you round the turn to starboard afterBelmont Hill, keep hugging the woodedCambridge shore. Another good point fromGeoffrey, “Don't get caught on the out-side of that last turn, or it will cost you15 to 30 seconds, and probably half adozen positions in the finishing order.”

Your blades can be as close as five feet offof the bank and you’ll be fine. The twoyellow triangle buoys of the finish line willemerge once you round that final bend.Aim between the buoys and finish strong.I’ve used the wooden walking bridge on theBoston shore as a gauge for the last 20, butknow that if you race in the afternoon andit’s sunny, there can be quite a bit of glarethere, making that boardwalk tough to see.

Once you cross the line, make sure to keeppaddling until you clear the actual finishline area. Traffic is prone to stack up hereand stopped boats can impede crews in thefinal strokes of the sprint. Getting a penaltyafter the finish line if you steered a fantasticcourse would be a bummer. Paddle down.Your rowers will feel better for it later any-way!

GOOD LUCK!

Coxing the Perfect Head Race Steering the Head of the Charles© ©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq & Geoffrey Knauth. All rights reserved.

9

abutment you will be forced to do the entire 90-degree turn AFTER the bridge, and will take a major detour beforebeing able to head on the upcoming Anderson Bridge.

If you took the Cambridge shore arches through the Powerhouse stretch leading up to Weeks, your turn should stillbegin near the “Turning Tree,” although your actual turn through the Weeks won’t be as sharp. Your goal is still toemerge from Weeks Bridge pointed on the center arch of Anderson Bridge. Last thought, the right hand arch of theWeeks is an option, but it is an absolute last resort, as it takes you seriously off course and puts you right upagainst the rocks of the Cambridge riverbank.

When you’re midway between the Weeks Bridge and Anderson Bridge you’re at the Halfway Mark of the race.

Just before your next bridge, you’ll pass Reunion Village on the Boston Shore. A note from Geoffrey to use someexternal motivation if need be: “Listen for the announcer to say something about you. It might give you a boost ifthey say something nice, so row your best.”

Your next turn is a medium one back to starboard through the Anderson Bridge. You must take the center arch.The right-hand (Cambridge shore) arch is “Out of Bounds” and will earn you a 60-second penalty if you take it.Start the turn a few strokes before the Anderson Bridge. I like to use my ports to bring it around quickly. Yourpoint as you come out of the bridge should be the orange buoys marking the outer edge of The Big Turn. Depend-ing on the light, they may be tough to see. If so, point on the right edge of the tall white apartment building aboveit (this building will become more apparent as you near the turn).

An excellent point from Geoffrey: “After Anderson, the classic mistake is to get sucked in to port too close to Har-vard’s Newell Boathouse, not realizing that Newell is in a little bay of its own, and the red buoys followa concaveshore line, only to come out to the true course again after 500m or so. So, stay away from those red port buoys af-ter Anderson. You can visit Newell Boathouse at some other point; not during your race.”

Between Anderson Bridge and the Big Turn you’ll see the yellow cone off to starboard marking ‘Two Milesdown.’

As you close in on the peak of the Big Turn, you can put your port blades over the orange buoy line for the tightestturn. Be wary of boats on the other side of the buoy line that are warming up or cooling down. At the end of theBig Turn, there is a brief, but deceptively sharp turn to port just before the Eliot Bridge. You may want to usesome starboard pressure for a few strokes to help you accomplish this just before you enter the actual bridge.

There will be more “stroke-by-stroke” shore side commentary as you approach Eliot. From Geoffrey: “Going byCambridge Boat Club to starboard, listen again for an announcer to mention you by name. With half a mile togo, you want all the moral support you can get.”

As you enter Eliot Bridge, your next turn is to starboard, and you want to go through the bridge at a diagonalemerging next to the Belmont Hill boathouse on the Cambridge riverbank on the right. You’ll see a few greenbuoys there protecting the launch area. If you aim to have your starboard oars near or over the last green buoy,you’ll cut a beautiful approach into a nice tight corner to starboard for the last turn of the race.

As you round the turn to starboard after Belmont Hill, keep hugging the wooded Cambridgeshore. Another good point from Geoffrey, “Don't get caught on the outside of that last turn,or it will cost you 15 to 30 seconds, and probably half a dozen positions in the finishing or-der.”Your blades can be as close as five feet off of the bank and you’ll be fine. The two yellow triangle buoys of thefinish line will emerge once you round that final bend. Aim between the buoys and finish strong. I’ve used thewooden walking bridge on the Boston shore as a gauge for the last 20, but know that if you race in the afternoonand it’s sunny, there can be quite a bit of glare there, making that boardwalk tough to see.

Once you cross the line, make sure to keep paddling at least 20 strokes, and clear the actual finish line area. Trafficis prone to stack up here and stopped boats can impede crews in the final strokes of the sprint. Getting a penalty thefinish line if you steered a fantastic course would be a bummer. Paddle down. Your rowers will feel better for it

Dangerous Spots in Detail and Tactics for Handling Them

BU Bridge: Make sure to have a two-length gap between yourself and the boat in front of youas you enter the starting chute. You absolutely do NOT want to catch a crew before the BUBridge because there’s not enough room to pass them before or through the narrow arch.

Magazine Beach: Small boats still launch from here, so keep an eye out on starboard, especiallyif you are the first boat in your event, or if there is a large gap between your boat and theone in front of you.

River Street & Western Avenue Bridges: The Powerhouse stretch is a good place for passing,but know that you can only fit two boats safely through the center arches. Even with two boatsgoing through prepare for blades hitting one another, which can force boats off course and intothe abutments. Try to avoid a three-boat situation if at all possible. If there is congestion in thecenter arch, use the right-hand arches of River Street & Western Avenue. It is exactly the samedistance to the Weeks Bridge, and the approach to the center arch of the Weeks is actually a lit-tle gentler if you’re coming out of the right hand arch of Western Avenue

Weeks Bridge: Being forced to the outside of this 90-degree corner to port is a worst casescenario. Avoid three-boats going through the arch at all costs. The outside boat will be forcedoff course to starboard. Many crews in this situation are unable to recover and head straight intothe rocky Cambridge riverfront. If decreasing power for 5 strokes enables you to avoid acollision and get a better line through the bridge, you’ll ultimately save yourself from losingseveral boatlengths.

Anderson Bridge: The consequences may not as brutal as Weeks, but three boats through thisarch can be ugly. The corner is to starboard, but then you’ll be preparing to turn to port. If youpass a crew on the inside (starboard side) before or through this bridge, make sure you’ve gotenough speed to get ahead before the Big Turn to port. Depending on how you catch someonehere, your best bet may be to tail them through the actual corner, then shoot by them on theirport side after the bridge. Warning, don’t get sucked too far to port here by following the Bostonshoreline. Make a beeline for the outermost orange buoys of the Big Turn ahead.

Big Turn: Getting forced to the outside of this corner is a long, painful and mentally disturbingsituation. If you believe you’re slowly closing on a crew coming out of the Anderson Bridge,try to get ahead of them before the Big Turn. You do have the option to pass them on the insideif you catch them, but if the crew you’re passing doesn’t give you enough room, you can clip abuoy. The turn is very blind just before the Eliot Bridge, and crews that are warming up andcooling down can drift into your path, or at least hit your blades if you’re too close to the buoyline.

Eliot Bridge: This is a very nasty spot. The sharp turn to port before the bridge emergessuddenly. The situation is complicated by crews launching from Cambridge Boat Club on thenear side of the bridge, and crews launching from Winsor & Belmont on the other side of thebridge. Try to get out of any entanglements from the Big Turn before this corner. Most of theworst crashes of the race occur here!

10 Coxing t h e Perfect Head Race Dangerous Spots in Detail©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq & Geoffrey Knauth. All rights reserved.

Devising a Passing PlanStart out by breaking down the racecourse into segments. Here’s how I break down theHead of the Charles©:

1. Start chute through BU Bridge2. Magazine Beach to Riverside Boathouse3. Powerhouse Stretch through Western Avenue Bridge4. Western Avenue set-up for Weeks Bridge5. Weeks exit to Anderson Bridge6. Anderson Bridge exit to top of the Big Turn7. Around the Big Turn8. Exit of Big Turn through Eliot Bridge9. Around final turn to Finish Line

For every section of the racecourse ask yourself, “What is the shortest distance betweenthese two points if I had no traffic on the course?”

Then, devise how to set yourself up for that fastest path. A huge part of passing isselecting the smartest line, and then determining where you should jockey for positionto be able to maintain that line. Here are the same segments, but now with the strategy Iimplement to maintain my “best line”►►►

Devising a Passing PlanCoxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved.

11

HOCR Passing Plan: General Strategy1. Start chute through BU Bridge

· Make sure a two-length margin between boats. No passing before bridge.· Next turn is to Starboard.

2. Magazine Beach to Riverside Boathouse· Stay to starboard to keep inside around turn, then straight shot.· Select center or starboard arch depending on traffic.

3. Powerhouse Stretch through Western Avenue Bridge· Jockey for position through bridges.· You’ve got about 1000m to figure out who you can get ahead of for Weeks…· …or, if someone behind is gaining quickly that you may have to contend with.

4. Western Avenue set-up for Weeks Bridge· Deal with the traffic as you need to, to stay true to the points. A correct turn here

can make or break the outcome of this race.· If you are ½ a length ahead or more of another crew, make sure you get open water

before the Weeks so you can maintain your points.· If you are level, or behind and being moved on, consider going to ½ pressure for a

few strokes so that you can maintain the prescribed points.5. Weeks exit to Anderson Bridge

· If you are passing someone make sure you clear them before Anderson so you canhave the inside of the upcoming turn to starboard.

· If you are duking it out with someone and get stuck on the outside (port), it’s OK ifyou can get ahead just after the Anderson Bridge.

6. Anderson Bridge exit to top of the Big Turn· Long, gradual turn to port coming up—imperative that you don’t get stuck on the

outside.· You have about 250 meters to figure out how to get the inside (port) before the

crews converge at the start of the turn. Many crews fizzle during this stretch, soeven if you are passed, fall in behind them, or get to their port side if there’s room.

· Be prepared to take a 15 or 20 here to claim your spot if you’re running even speedwith another crew.

7. Around the Big Turn· If you catch someone on this turn, make sure you make your passing intentions

obvious (especially if in a bowloader racing against bowloaders).· As you’re passing boats here, keep in mind that you want to try to clear these crews

before “Deadman’s Curve.”8. Exit of Big Turn through Eliot Bridge—Deadman’s Curve

· Try to set yourself up to go single file going through the bridge.· Cut diagonally through the bridge, port to starboard to pick up final turn to star-

board. If you pick up a crew to pass for the final turn, get on their starboard sideimmediately after the bridge.

9. Around final turn to Finish Line· Hug shore around final starboard shore.· As soon as you see the yellow triangular cones, pick a beeline shot right between

them. You can cleanly pass boats on either side here in the home stretch.

Coxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved. Devising a Passing Plan12

Proactive Passing (and Giving Way)from the Coxswain’s SeatAs soon as you see the Starting Order for yourevent, it’s worth sitting down with your coachand taking some time to evaluate who you maycatch (as well as who may catch you) over thecourse of the race. Here’s the main thing to keepin mind: Your team will most likely race itsfastest time by having as little interaction withother teams as possible. And that’s why youneed to be very strategic in handling everypassing situation.

3

2

1

4

5

6

8

1

1

1

1

7

9

1

1

1

1

QU

ST

Start LineS

CAMBRIDGEBOSTON

Points to review…

How to Pass Another Crew.

Tricky Passing Situations.

When to Increase Pressure.

Strategy When You’re Being Passed.

When to Decrease Pressure.

START CHUTE

NOT RECOMMENDED

STREET

NOT RECOMMENDED

BU Bridge / Railroad

River Street

Western Avenue

Weeks

Lars Anderson

Eliot

Bridge Traffic Diagrams

14

How to Avoid Penalties and CollisionsJohn M. LambertDirector of the Head Of The Charles, Inc, and Chair of Rules and Appeals Committee.

The entire racecourse is watched by teams of Umpires located on every bridge and atevery bend. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that the racing over the difficultHOCR course is conducted safely. Their second responsibility is to ensure that theracing is fair, and that crews follow the racing rules. Penalties for interference aresevere, to encourage crews not to interfere with each other, and to avoid collisions.

Tips for avoiding collisions and penalties:

1. Read the Official Handbook, paying particular attention to the Traffic Rules,Traffic Patterns and Racing Rules.

2. At Start Line, it is no advantage for a faster crew to close upon a slower crew be-fore crossing the start line. Apart from risking a penalty by disobeying theStarter’s instructions, the first bridge arch is barely wide enough for two crews topass, and so attempting to overtake a slower crew under the first bridge willlikely result in interference.

3. If a slow crew, or a collision between two or more crews, completely blocks yourway, you will not get to the finish line any faster by “piling on”. In fact, you maydamage your boat, and may incur a penalty for disregard of safety. Slowingdown, stopping for a couple of strokes, or taking a very wide course costs lesstime than a hole in the boat, or a 60-second penalty.

- Race hard, but use common sense on the racecourse - think safety!

4. Fours with bow-loader coxswains:

You are strongly advised to ensure that the bow-rower communicates with thecoxswain, if being caught up by another faster crew, so that the coxswain can beaware of what side the faster boat is approaching, and steer appropriately to allowthe faster boat to safely pass without interference.

Similarly, if you have just overtaken a slower boat, communication between bowand coxswain can help prevent you from cutting across the bow of the slow boatbefore you have clear water (many penalties on fast fours are caused by suchinterference with the boat that was just passed).

Coxing the Perfect Head Race How to Avoid Penalties and Collisions©2002-Present John M. Lambert. All rights reserved.

Rules of RacingGeneral Responsibilities (guidance to Crews and Scullers): The Charles River is a narrowcourse with many tight turns. Good sportsmanship is expected at all times and costly penaltieshave been assigned in the past in cases of bad sportsmanship. The ability to accomplish effectiveand safe passing is an important aspect of successful racing. However, there are manysituations when passing cannot be accomplished safely due to traffic congestion and physicalobstacles. The following are the basic responsibilities of scullers and crews in these situations:

(i). The boat overtaking (Passer) has the right of way to pass (on the side of its choice) if a safepass can be accomplished. However, crews and scullers must take note of the following:

A. If a pass is attempted and there is not adequate room and time to perform the pass, thePasser is at risk of incurring interference penalties.

B. In situations involving three and more boats, there are areas such as bridge arches andnarrow, tight turns where passing cannot be accomplished safely. In these situations thePasser must be prudent and delay the act of passing until the pass can be accomplishedwithout incident. The wise sculler or crew knows that more time can be lost by pressinga situation rather than by slowing down and waiting for the right moment to pass.

C. Communicate effectively during racing. All shells with bow-loaded coxswains arestrongly advised to have their bow seat rower notify the coxswain when there is clearwater astern after completing the pass. Timely instruction from the bow seat rower mayassist the Passer’s coxswain in avoiding stern-to-bow collision and/or an interferencepenalty due to cutting in too soon.

(ii). The boat being overtaken (Overtakee) must yield and give suitable room to the Passer (onthe side chosen by the Passer) if a safe pass can be accomplished. Generally this will be theshortest line that gives an advantage. Failure to yield to the Passer is one of the most seriousinfractions of competitive conduct. Crews and scullers must:

A. Be alert to possible upcoming passing attempts and promptly yield when there isadequate room and time.

B. Be prepared to miss a few strokes to allow the Passer to pass safely and withoutinterference.

C. Communicate effectively during racing. All shells with bow-loaded coxswains arestrongly advised to have their bow seat rower notify the coxswain if a following crew isabout to make a pass. Timely instruction from the bow seat rower may assist the cox-swain in avoiding an interference penalty.

(iii). Respect for the safety of other competitors and their equipment must be observed at alltimes. At no time should an oar be used in anger toward another crew or competitor.

(iv). While racing, boats must proceed at a racing pace along the entire course, except wheresafety considerations dictate otherwise. Any boat whose time is more than 10 minutes slowerthan that of the fastest time in its event-division may be recorded as "did not finish."

Coxing the Perfect Head Race How to Avoid Penalties and Collisions ©2002-Present HOCR. All rights reserved. 15

16

1. Any boat showing a blatant disregard for safety will be severely penalized and may bedisqualified from the Regatta.

2. Fours and eights must have their coxswain on board during the entire race. Failure todo so will result in disqualification.

3. During racing, boats must stay on the Course that is between the orange buoys (on theleft, coxswains view) and the green buoys (on the right). Oar blades may go over thebuoys but the hull of the shell must stay inside the buoy line. Each buoy taken on thewrong side of the hull will result in a 10-second penalty.

4. Responsibilities of the Overtakee (boat being overtaken)If the Passer moves to within ½ length of open water on the Overtakee, it is theresponsibility of the slower crew to yield the line chosen by the Passer in a timelymanner. Failure to yield to a Passer when there is adequate room and time will incur thefollowing penalties:

-1st infraction 60 second penalty-2nd infraction 120 second penalty-3rd infraction disqualification from the Regatta

5. Responsibilities of Passer5.1 The Passer must plan passing actions to facilitate safe yields by the Overtakee. ThePasser, having chosen a side to overtake, must allow sufficient room and time for theOvertakee to give way and to stay safely within the racecourse. Failure to do so willresult in a 30-second interference penalty against the Passer.

5.2 If a pass is attempted and the Overtakee does not yield, the Passer shall not press theright to overtake to the point of forcing a severe collision or forcing either crew off theracecourse. If the Passer causes a collision resulting in damage, interlocking boats orinjury, the Passer may face further sanctions under Racing Rule 1.

6. Use of profanity may result in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of 60 seconds!

Rules of RacingCoxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved.

Rules of RacingInterference and/or buoy penalties are assigned at the sole discretion of the Juryfollowing their review of the observations and recommendations of the Umpires.Repeated or severe interference may result in disqualification.

Coxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved.

Head Racing Strategy

Strategy in a NutshellThis should be PRE-determined by and/or with your coach and should take into accountthe following:

· Your team’s strengths and fitness level· Places on the course where you can attack or gain time· Course conditions· Anticipating unexpected situations (three boats going through a bridge when

there’s only room for two, being forced to the outside on a corner)· Possible unforeseen factors (crabs, non-racing boats crossing your path, recovery

from collisions)

Pacing Your Crew Over the Course

A few quick reminders here on making sure your team starts strong AND stays strong:

¨ Make sure that you truly lengthen out to the race pace that you have practiced. The“electric” Charles atmosphere causes many rookie crews to go out too hard—andpay later (usually in the quiet stretch around the Big Turn)!

¨ ‘Adrenaline Situations” occur when your crew naturally bumps up the intensity andrating during a pass or going through a bridge. That’s OK—just make sure tolengthen them back to race pace once the pass or obstacle has been completed.

¨ There can be some big winds and rough waters in the basin, the Powerhouse Stretch,and in the last 500 meters. If your race pace drops a beat or two in these stretches,and you’re moving better, stick with the rhythm and don’t sweat the rating.

¨ When in a potential quiet stretch of the course (usually right after you exit AndersonBridge), motivational calls for “crews that are out of sight” and “racing the clock”are good reminders to help keep the rhythm strong and the intensity alive. The raceis often won or lost in this stretch.

¨ Stationing a cheering squad on the Boston shore of the Big Turn can provide yourcrew with an extra lift.

17Head Racing Strategy

Gauging Your Success

A good approach to have when entering any head race is to expect the unexpected.At the same time, mastering some of the essentials in practice will enable you tokeep a cool head when you encounter challenges on the course.

· Steering technique and effective tactical calls need to be automatic on race dayand can be learned and mastered in practice well in advance of racing.

· Knowledge of the course and strategy should be determined before race day.· Acting and reacting to situations on the course, and keeping your cool under

pressure come with experience. Make sure your expectations of yourself arerealistic.

Finally, to give yourself the best feedback, record your races whenever possible.Listening later—after the adrenaline of race day has passed--will enable you toevaluate your performance with a clear head. It will also provide you with somegreat memories years down the road. Good Luck and Have Fun!

Coxing the Perfect Head Race Gauging Your Success©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved.

18

V John Lambert – Chair of the HOCR’s Rules & Appeals Committee

V Fred Schoch - Exec. Dir., Head of the Charles Regatta

V Ed Hewitt, row2k.com

V Lyssa Bayne & Jane Hanlon – THANK YOU!!!

V Nielsen-Kellerman – Awesome Sponsor.

V Concept 2 – Awesome Sponsor.

V Kane Larin & CRI – Awesome host.

You may contact Yaz at: coxswaination@gmail.com

Special Thanks:

Coxing the Perfect Head Race©2002-Present Yasmin Farooq. All rights reserved.

Special Thanks 19

CRI 20 Nonantum RoadBrighton, MA

SAFETY IS NO ACCIDENTKNOW THE TRAFFIC AND RACE RULES

GOOD LUCK & HAVE FUN!

VISIT THE ELIOT BRIDGE ENCLOSURE! (by Aston Martin)The Head Of The Charles Regatta is pleased to present the annual Eliot Bridge Enclosure, a

controlled-access hospitality tent. Patrons of the EBE will enjoy a distinctive diningexperience as well as premium beers, fine wines, & soda.

Location: The Enclosure will sit at the river’s edge, upstream of the Eliot Bridge, a shortwalk from the Rowing and Fitness Expo and the Finish Area Launch Site (FALS).

Hours: The Enclosure will be open 8am-5pm Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets Include:- Come-and-go access to the Enclosure- Early morning coffee and breakfast items- A delicious gourmet buffet luncheon

This unparalleled hospitality destination offers competitors, families, friends, & spectators arelaxing oasis in the midst of one of the Regatta’s most bustling areas. Within the Enclosure,

high-end food offerings and sophistication meet the magnetic spirit of rowing that bringsathletes and spectators down to the banks of the Charles every October.

VISIT REUNION VILLAGE! (by Delta Air Lines)The Village offers a fun and relaxed atmosphere located at the halfway point,

offering one of the BEST viewing sites on the racecourse! Everyone is welcome.Admission: $10/Day, Drink Tickets – $7 each

Children under 12 are Free!. Open Sat. 8:30am-5pm & Sun. 8:30am-4:30pm

- Dining tent with food and refreshments. - Play-by-play color commentary of the racing. - Seating along the river for spectators.

The Village is located on the Boston side of the Charles River between the Weeks and Anderson Bridges.

*Beer Garden is presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.