The Schools' Head of the River Race (SHORR) is the UK's largest school-age processional (head rowing) race and is organised by

Westminster School (God Gives the Increase) , established = Earliest records date from the 14th century, refounded in 1560 , type = Public school Independent day and boarding school , religion = Church of England , head_label = Hea ...

for crews aged between 14 and 18 years old. It is held in Spring, the end of the head race season. The race forms a leg of the national kudos of winning a rowing 'triple' in which occasionally an undefeated Junior Eight (J18 8+ or WJ18 8+) wins this race, the National Schools Regatta, and either the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta or the Peabody Cup at Henley Women's Regatta.

Course

The race is held annually on the

River Thames The River Thames ( ), known alternatively in parts as the River Isis, is a river that flows through southern England including London. At , it is the longest river entirely in England and the second-longest in the United Kingdom, after the R ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

, on a course from

Chiswick Bridge Chiswick Bridge is a reinforced concrete deck arch bridge over the River Thames in West London. It is one of three bridges opened in 1933 as part of an ambitious scheme to relieve traffic congestion west of London. The structure carries the A31 ...

Mortlake Mortlake is a suburban district of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames on the south bank of the River Thames between Kew and Barnes. Historically it was part of Surrey and until 1965 was in the Municipal Borough of Barnes. For many cen ...

Westminster School Boat Club Westminster School Boat Club is a rowing club based on the River Thames at the Embankment, Putney, London. History The club is reputedly the oldest rowing club in the world. Anecdotal evidence exists for rowing at Westminster in the 18th century ...

flagpole in

Putney Putney () is a district of southwest London, England, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, southwest of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London. History Putney is an ancient paris ...

. It is rowed with the tide and is in the opposite direction to

The Boat Race The Boat Race is an annual set of rowing races between the Cambridge University Boat Club and the Oxford University Boat Club, traditionally rowed between open-weight eights on the River Thames in London, England. There are separate men's ...

Race format

History

When the race was first held in 1946 the course was shorter than at present, from above

Hammersmith Bridge Hammersmith Bridge is a suspension bridge that crosses the River Thames in west London. It links the southern part of Hammersmith in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, on the north side of the river, and Barnes in the London Borough ...

to the current finishing post, a distance of approximately 1.75 miles. The start was moved to Chiswick Bridge in 2000, resulting in a course almost the length of the full

Boat Race Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other wate ...

After the course was lengthened, the Schools' Head continued to offer a shorter course (from

London Corinthian Sailing Club The London Corinthian Sailing Club is based on the river Thames at Hammersmith. Its activities include Dinghy sailing and racing on the river, and yachting in the Solent and further afield, as well as an active social side including 'Club Nights' ...

above Hammermsith Bridge) for smaller boats, such as J15 4s, J15 B 8's, and Maiden 4s; however, in 2009 this was changed by C.D. Riches, the event's manager.

Eton College Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, ...

have won the race a total of 14 times, followed by Emanuel School with 11 wins (including an unprecedented eight in nine years from 1962-1970),

Hampton School Hampton School (formerly Hampton Grammar School) is an independent boys' day school in Hampton, Greater London, England. It is regarded as one of the top independent schools in the country. Hampton School’s A-Level and GCSE results in 2021 ...

with 10 and St Paul's with 9.

Current format

The race is the largest head race of the winter season by junior crews. It attracts around 300 crews each year. Composite crews, drawn from more than one club or school, are not permitted. All categories race the same course. In 2012, the J4- and WJ4- events were introduced. In 2013, the Mix 4x event was introduced to the race. In 2017, the course was considerably shortened on the day, retaining the usual start line but finishing at the bandstand shortly after Barnes bridge. In 2020, the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on 'non-essential' contact. In 2021, as a result of the ongoing pandemic, a 'virtual' Schools' Head event was run with crews submitting GPS recordings on their home stretches of water.

Records

The current record holders for the events are:

Men's events

Women's events

Mixed events

Winners of all categories when last held

Previous J18 eights winners

Previous J18 Women eights winners

Notes and references

;Notes ;References

External links

Official Website
{{rowing Mortlake, London Rowing on the River Thames Head races Water sports in London Westminster School Scholastic rowing in the United Kingdom