History
When the race was first held in 1946 the course was shorter than at present, from above Hammersmith Bridge to the current finishing post, [2] a distance of approximately 1.75 miles. The course was lengthened in 1988 with a start from Duke's Meadow, [3] a mile further upstream, and again in 2000 when the start was moved to Chiswick Bridge, [4] resulting in a course almost the length of the full Boat Race
After the course was lengthened, the Schools' Head continued to offer a shorter course (from London Corinthian Sailing Club above Hammersmith 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 have won the race a total of 14 times, followed by Emanuel School with 11 wins (including a remarkable eight in nine years from 1962-1970), St Paul's with 10 and Hampton School with 9. In addition to these, the headship in 2000 was shared in an unprecedented three-way tie between Hampton, St Paul's and Canford School. In the Junior Women's category, Lady Eleanor Holles School has the most wins with 12.
Bad weather has occasionally disrupted the race. Indeed, in its very first year almost half the starting crews capsized due to the adverse conditions. [5] [6] The race was cancelled in 2001 due to dangerous conditions, [7] reduced to its original length in 2008 as a result of strong winds disrupting the marshalling area [8] and even more severely shortened in 2017, retaining the usual start line but finishing at the bandstand shortly after Barnes bridge. [9]
In addition, in 2020 the race was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictions on 'non-essential' contact [10] and 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. [11]
The race was initially a smaller event for Championship men's crews, with only 14 competing in its first year. [12] However, numbers have grown significantly over time and additional categories of boats have been added. For example, in 2012, the J4- and WJ4- events were introduced [n 1] and in 2013 the Mix 4x [n 2] event was introduced to the race.
Women's events were first included in 1982. [13] Although participation was relatively limited at first, with only eight 4s in the first year and no 8s until 1983, [14] the number of entrants has grown substantially over time as a result of the increased popularity of schoolgirl rowing, with over 125 women's crews competing in 2023.
The race is now the largest head race of the winter season by junior crews attracting around 300 crews each year. Composite crews, drawn from more than one club or school, are not permitted. All categories race the same course.
