Crews from eleven fixed-seat rowing clubs from across four counties gathered in Newhaven on Saturday 14th October for the third annual Head of the Ouse event. The stormy weather of the day before cleared overnight, giving competitors chilly but bright conditions for the challenging seven mile race course through the beautiful South Downs — from the busy port of Newhaven to the county town of Lewes and back.
The event is open to all types of fixed seat rowing craft and is in fact two races — a women’s race upriver on the last of the flood tide, and an open race for men’s and mixed crews back downriver as the tide begins to ebb.
This year, sixteen boats took part with eight different classes represented: two St Ayles skiffs, three Bursledon gigs, seven Cornish gigs (wooden & GRP), a Celtic and a Pembrokeshire longboat, a cutter and a triple skiff.
The boats are set off at intervals, with results adjusted according to the Ouse Yardstick which ensures different boat classes can compete on an equal footing.
The winners of the women’s Head of the Ouse race were Tudor, a sailing club with a rowing section based in Langstone Harbour. Their Bursledon gig, ‘Lady Jane’, completed the course in 54’52”. In second place was Lewes in their Cornish gig ‘Irene’, and Hamble River Rowing came third in their Bursledon gig, ‘Kelpie’.
The downriver Open race, for men’s and mixed crews, was won by Lewes Rowing Club in their cutter ‘Betty’. They completed the course in 58’38”. Second place went to the Tudor crew, and Lewes Pilot Gig Club came third. Prizes were also awarded by age category, and for the fastest boat of each class across both races.
The Head of the Ouse is a collaboration between the four rowing clubs based on the River Ouse in Sussex: Newhaven Gig Rowing Club, Affinity Rowing Club, Lewes Pilot Gig Club and Lewes Rowing Club.
The 2024 edition of the event will take place on Saturday September 7th, and entries will open in late spring next year.
For more information: https://headoftheouse.univer.se
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