MOLESEY HEAD RACES
14/2/25 Friday at 12.10
CANCELLED !
With great regret we are cancelling the event on water safety grounds. We have always stated that we will not run the event on an EA red status. It is not predicted to change by tomorrow – race day.
EA red flags have not reduced overnight below Oxford, and the stream on the Molesey stretch is still uncomfortably fast using our measurement method.
Thank you for your forbearance, and we hope to see you at Molesey Amateur and Junior Regattas on 19/20 July, and the 2026 Head Races.
Mark Stollery, Chief Umpire
Patrick Sinnott, Safety Advisor
Ted Bates, Secretary
14/2/25
The committee would like to thank the 50 or more volunteers who have promised their time to tomorrow, and to all the rowers and coaches involved in the racing and making preparations.
13/2/25 Thursday
We have decided to decide whether to go ahead or not until 11 a.m. on Friday so that the up to date EA status can be checked.
12/2/25 Wednesday
Hello everyone – well we have checked the river- and have decided on a conditional go ahead. Here is our verdict:
The organisers reviewed river conditions at 1200 on Wednesday 12 February. Although the EA Flag status is currently Red, the local river level is normal and the stream is not a cause for concern. There are other reasons for optimism:
-the Met Office forecast is for no rain upstream for the rest of the week
– locks have been releasing as much water as possible in the last couple of days to clear the backlog from recent rains (explaining current high flow rates), and some stretches are now reducing to Amber flags
– Saturday’s forecast is for light winds and a temperature of 5-6°
In short, we are optimistic that conditions may well improve and allow the Head to proceed as planned. But a final decision will be taken at 0900 on Friday.
The event will take place on Saturday, February 15th 2025, in the usual format of Molesey Junior Head in the morning, followed by Molesey Veteran Head in the afternoon.
Coxes’ briefings will take place in the Molesey gym at 8.30 and 10.30 for Juniors and 1 p.m. for Masters.
WHERE THINGS ARE
We are trying out a different approach to MBC space this year.
In the gym at the rear of the club will be: Registration, Equipment issue, Information and Coxes’ Briefings.
Upstairs in the side room (Regatta room) before racing will be Refreshment, Officials’ Briefing, followed later in the day by Sandwiches, Cakes and tea and coffee.
In the main clubroom, Results, Medal presentation and the bar.
The MBC cafe will also be open until 3 p.m.
Toilets will be available on both levels.
MEDALS
We will have one medal presentation at Molesey Boat Club at 4.30 on the Saturday. Junior winners may collect their medals from 2.30 if they cannot stay for the presentation. Medals will be awarded to Masters in events where three or more crews have raced. Medals will be awarded to Juniors where 3 or 4 crews have raced, or where 5 or more crews have raced to first and second place.
EXPLORE
We have included a category for EXPLORE under this definition:
“Explore rowers will be members of an Explore group within a rowing club, having a maximum of two years’ experience and racing in a Mixed 4x+, in a touring/stable style boat. They must be RACE members of British Rowing or hold a day ticket”.
JUNIOR POINTS LIMIT
Overpointed crews – we have listened to comments about this, and are now accepting a limited number of entries with a higher point count (see under Entries). It remains the case that the race is primarily aimed at beginners and near-beginners.
More in due course!
Ted Bates
Secretary