The Pairs Head Pennant Win
The Pairs Head Race
The Pairs Head is my favourite head race – a two-person crew boat, racing on home waters (the Tideway), often in decent weather. It’s the unique mix of challenge and camaraderie that makes it special.
My Journey with the Pairs Head
I’ve raced in the Pairs Head three times with results I’m proud of: two wins and a third-place finish. This year’s race, however, stood out as particularly memorable. My doubles partner was a racing novice – her first-ever competition! But she had the essential qualities: strength, matching height and build and a lightweight frame. Most importantly, she had determination.
The training
Leading up to the race, we faced uncertainty as the fast Thames flow brought numerous red and yellow flag days, threatening a cancellation. Add to that our last-minute decision to race together, and we only managed six outings, with just three in the racing boat itself. In rowing terms, six outings are next to nothing. But we clicked. The boat moved well and the atmosphere between us was positive and fun – a good sign.
Marshalling
On race day, marshalling* took about 1.5 hours, plenty of time to observe the competition. We overheard two other crews discussing their prior Pairs Head races, sharing friendly banter. My partner and I stayed quiet, focused on our race plan, maintaining a calm exterior. She asked me how I was feeling at one point, and I honestly replied, “I feel nothing.” It was true – I don’t get nervous before races; I focus entirely on what I need to do once the race begins.
Well, almost always.
Apart from that one time….
There was a time, years ago, when I lost my cool before a race. I was in bow seat of an eight and as we prepared to turn onto the course, I took off my jacket. The rower ahead of me accidentally rolled her seat back onto my sleeve, which promptly got tangled in the wheels. For a moment, it seemed we’d have to remove her seat – nearly impossible on the water – and we were minutes from starting. After much frantic tugging (and her awkwardly sitting between the slides), we freed the sleeve. It was far from ideal for focus, but thankfully, it all worked out.
The race
Our 5km race, run with the tide, went smoothly. I steered a near-perfect line, while my partner maintained a steady, solid rhythm. The cheers from friends and family from the banks and bridges gave us an extra boost. No one overtook us and we passed a number of boats. When the race was over, we still had plenty of energy for the row back to the club – clearly we hadn’t completely emptied the tank!
The ceremony
The icing on the cake was discovering we’d won our category – a particularly special achievement for a first-time racer. Pairs Head winners are celebrated in a lovely ceremony hosted by BBLRC on their riverside lawn by Barnes Bridge. This year, our medals were presented by Jess Eddie, an Olympic silver medalist. Standing there as a novice-and-experienced duo, we couldn’t have been prouder.
*Marshalling at a Head Race
Marshalling is an integral part of any head race and it’s a process that requires patience and preparation – especially in the colder months. Every competing boat must be on the river and in numerical order at least 10 minutes before the race begins. With 600+ boats typically racing, this creates a long line of crews waiting for their turn.
The start times are staggered, with a 10-second gap between each boat and a couple of minutes between divisions of 3–4 categories. If you’re, say, crew number 578, you’ll have a substantial wait ahead of you before the race. By the time the first crews are racing, you’ll still be sitting in the queue, likely trying to stay warm, focused and ready to perform.
Head races are held in the coldest months of the year, which adds to the challenge. Layering up for marshalling is essential – many rowers wear multiple layers that are only stripped off moments before the race. Staying warm while maintaining focus for over an hour of waiting takes mental resilience, especially if you’re racing in a single boat.
Despite the wait and the cold, marshalling offers a chance to soak in the atmosphere of the race, assess the competition and mentally rehearse your plan. The trick is to keep your body warm and your head cool!
See my article on how I train to build power and stay injury-free.