Competition dates of the Virtual Head are changed.
Because of a new collaboration with the Skiffhead, participation in the competition will be possible from 20th of March until the 4th April 2021.
Keep an eye on the website and social media.
Soon, you will find the registration form on www.headoftheriver.nl Registration is possible until the end of the Virtual Head.
This year the Head of the River Amstel will be held as a virtual event in which participants can test their strength on their own waters, while practicing social distancing and staying safe from the corona-virus.
Of course, we would have loved to welcome you to Amsterdam to row this iconic long-distance race on the beautiful Amstel River. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, this is not possible this year.
So instead, we are working hard to set up the Virtual Head of the River 2021, a multi-sport event in March where participants from all fields can compete against each-other on their own water. We aim to honour the competitive element of the Head as much as possible while keeping it accessible to all our participants. This way we can host this classic while remaining completely compliant with local Covid-19 measures.
Further information providing the details on the Virtual Head of the River 2021 will be shared on our website and social media as soon as possible.
Be sure to follow and like us on www.headoftheriver.nl, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Linkedin.
Stay healthy and safe and we look forward to your participation!
In 2020, the Head of the Amstel was one of the first national races to be canceled due to the Corona pandemic. Other matches followed. Unfortunately, limits on public and sporting life are still in place and we have no idea how long they will last.
While we do not know for certain if and how the Head of the Amstel will be able to proceed due to the Corona-related measures, it is with high hopes, that we have begun preparing for the Head of the Amstel 2021 on 20-21 March 2021.
In light of the uncertainty, Willem III, KNRB, and other rowing clubs, are exploring different scenarios which include variations in terms of time, participant fields, length of course, and location for all the spring races. Together, we hope to find a way to compete this spring!
With respect to the Head, our Race Committee plans to make a decision no later than 15 February 2021 regarding whether the race will move forward, when, and in what form the Head of the River 2021 will take place.
We hope for the best! As soon as we have more information we will put it on the website and social media. So, keep an eye on our website.
Good luck training for hopes for better times.
The Dutch government has just announced that no events with more than 100 participants may be held in the Netherlands from now until March 31, 2020, due to Covid-19.
We realize that this is a huge disappointment – for our organization, and especially for all who planned to participate. However, given the rapid spread of the new coronavirus, we support the government's decision.
Registration fees and payments for boat hire will be refunded.
Later this year we will once again focus on organizing the next Head of the River Amstel. Let's hope that in 2021 this great tradition can continue!
Yours sincerely,
The Head of the River Amstel Committee
In light of the global situation with the coronavirus, the organisation of the Head of the River is constantly monitoring the situation. The lead agencies providing advice for the Netherlands are the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) in cooperation with the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RVIM). We will continue to monitor all the updates they provide ahead of the race on the weekend of 21 and 22 March.
For the moment, the Head is still taking place and we expect we will be able to race. We will keep you posted if we decide differently, communicating any updates via our website, Instagram and Facebook page.
Once again this year, international crews are showing strong interest in participating in the Head of the River Amstel. We look forward to seeing you in Amsterdam!
After you have signed up your crew via the registration site, please pay the entry fee as follows.
Entry fees are: Four €70; Eight €100; Corporate Eight €300.
Payment must be made before March 13th to the ‘Amsterdamsche Roeibond’, IBAN number NL 71 INGB 0006 6289 83, BIC number INGBNL2A.
Please include the following details in the comments section:
* the name of the club,
* the race event
* the name of the stroke of the crew
For more information see our entries page.
The movie with steering instructions for the Head of the River race has been updated. The video follows the whole course, from the start in Ouderkerk to the finish at rowing club De Hoop in Amsterdam, and gives suggestions for steering at crucial points on the Amstel river.
We strongly advise all coxes to watch the instruction video carefully.
They should also watch the presentation with rules for overtaking other boats and read the other information for coxes on the site.
For this year’s Head on March 21-22, 2020, two exciting new fields have been added: the Double Eight (8*) and the Ladies Double 8 (D8*). Both of these are open fields with no age restrictions. Register for this new open competition!
Registration for the Head of the River Amstel 2020 will open on February 10th and remain open until March 13th at 20.00. Please take the opportunity to register here: Registration Head 2020.
The route: Rowers will race along an 8 km stretch of river from Ouderkerk aan de Amstel to the rowing club ‘De Hoop’ in the city of Amsterdam.
Here are several changes from past races:
- The Gentlemen Veterans class is now called Veterans: VA-D8+, VE-H8+ and VA-E4*. The Ladies are still DV.
- There are two new races: a Double 8 (8*) and a Ladies Double 8 (D8*)
- In addition to the VA-D 8+ field, registration is also available for Veteran fields for older age groups. This field will race if at least three teams participate.
More...
Saturday Code RED, Sunday Code GREEN.
On Sunday all races will be rowed! All weatherforecasts show a great improvement compared to the current situation (saturday 12:30 h. ), especially windforce and currents are less intense. The Head organisation trusts that all races can be rowed.
The rowing conditions on Sunday will still be uncomfortable.
Reason for the Regatta organisation to ask every team to take extra safety precautions (like heelstrings and closed buoyancy chambers).
We kindly request all crews to draw serious attention to the safety precautions.
Dear rowing friends,
We have decided to give our 20 honoured foreign crews, who were scheduled to start on saturday, the opportunity to row the coursetrack of the Head on sunday. Each crew participating, will receive a time registration of their rowing performance. The start is planned at 15:10.
When circumstances prevent their start at this time, we have limited opportunity to schedule the start at 12:00. When material issues arise, rowing club Willem III has offered support.
We kindly ask all 20 foreign crews concerned to let us know if they are able to start, and if special arrangements are being requested.
You can contact us at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or
tel/sms: +31-623481749 (no whatsapp)
Saturday Code RED, Sunday Code Yellow.
The races for Saturday are CANCELLED. The wind forecast is very bad, dangerous situations are likely to occur. Forecasts for Sunday are better, but we stick to code YELLOW. We will publish a new statement on Saturday at 13:00 hours.
Saturday Code Yellow, Sunday Code Yellow
Attention! The weather forecasts are still too uncertain, this can lead to cancellation or changes in the timetable for both Saturday and Sunday. Pleae keep an eye on this website for more information.
We will publish a new statement on Friday at 13:00h.
