This is not a complete list of races on the Thames, Eton Dorney or Henley, but it’s a fair idea of the range and types of races through the rowing season.
Head Races take place in Autumn and Spring and are usually longer distance, often the Championship Course, 4.25 miles of the Thames between Putney and Mortlake. Boats start the course one by one, racing against the clock, with overall winners and winners in categories.
Once The Boat Race (Oxford and Cambridge) has happened, usually end of March or early April, racing switches to regattas, shorter distance side by side competition, often with heats and multiple finals, again in categories (boat type, club type, age of crew, etc).
All the races are worth watching either in person or, if available, streaming online. Competitors commit to months of technical and physical training to be selected for crews by their coach. Participating is an achievement in itself.
Scullers Head of the River Race
Pairs Head of the River Race
Wingfield Sculls
Fours Head of the River Race
Veterans Four Head of the River Race
Quintin Head of the River Race
Hammersmith Head of the River Race
Women’s Head of the River Race
Head of the River Race
Vesta Masters Head of the River Race
Hammersmith Regatta
Putney Town Regatta
Chiswick Regatta
Bourne MAABC Regatta
Metropolitan Regatta, Dorney
Barnes and Mortlake Regatta
Henley Women’s Regatta
Marlow Regatta, Dorney
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Masters Regatta
Tideway rowing 