Steering the Head of the Trent course

These notes refer to the complete Trent Head course from Clifton Bridge to the Orion. Please check the instructions for the exact course of the division, which might have been changed due to external circumstances.

• Start focusing on the race as you pass The Farm, about 300 m above the start and build to race pace as you pass under the power lines about 100 m before the start.

• The start officials are on the right hand bank, just above Clifton Bridge. You should aim to pass under this bridge slightly to the right (to starboard) of the river centreline. Warning - don’t go too far over to this side as there’s shallow water before and under the bridge.

• Once through Clifton Bridge aim to stay slightly to the right of the river's centreline, and don't be tempted to cut the left-hand bend that comes after about 500 m.

• Once round this first bend stay over to the right of the river (the Wilford side), but take care not to get pushed into the bay at the end of the flood wall.

• Stay in reasonably tight around the long right-hand bend that comes after The Church: taking this line will help you get smoothly through the wider inside arch of Wilford Toll Bridge. Warning – start steering in plenty of time as there can be a strong stream here that tends to push you wide (to port), and you definitely need to get through the wide inside arch to stay on the racing line. 

• This bridge is a potential pinch-point so keep your wits about you, especially if there are other crews about. Although it's possible for two boats to go through the wide span of the bridge at the same time, it's a tight fit. If you need to take action to avoid colliding with the central bridge support be aware that it's actually possible to steer through the smaller outside arch of the bridge. We DO NOT recommend this manoeuvre except in extreme circumstances.

• Once through the Toll Bridge stay tight round the inside of the bend then, as it unwinds, gradually move across to the middle of the river as you approach a long, sweeping bend to the left that tightens just before the Suspension Bridge (the Bath Bend). Underneath that bridge you should be in the middle of the river, so avoid the temptation to cut the bend too tightly.

• From the Suspension Bridge to Trent Bridge you should aim to be slightly to the right of the centreline, steering a smooth course aiming for the central span of Trent Bridge.

• The finish for Division 2 is at the flagpoles outside County Hall, about 100 m above Trent Bridge. Boats in Divisions 1 & 3 should continue through the central arch of Trent Bridge and follow the instructions below.

• Once through Trent Bridge, steer slightly towards the City side (away from the landing stages) and line up a smooth course through the middle arch of Lady Bay Bridge (make sure that you shoot this bridge with the big round metal pillars on each side of you…this is the middle arch - see the photograph below). Warning - there is a one minute time penalty if you race through the inside arch, so whatever you do don't pass through the incorrect arch of the bridge, it'll lose you the race.

• After Lady Bay Bridge you should initially stay in the middle of the river, passing under the new Waterside Bridge after ~400 m. As you approach the final bend to the left, remain roughly in the middle of the river and don't be tempted to cut the corner.

• As the finish comes into view, there are several large modern blocks of flats on the City bank - from the last of these it's about a minute/minute-and-a-half to the finish at TS Orion (obv. depending on boat type and conditions). The finish officials are on the bank opposite the T.S. Orion.

• Please observe the event rule that slower crews must give way to faster crews when being overtaken. This should be done by moving to the left or right (as appropriate) so that the faster crew can row through without changing its course. Warning - a time penalty will be given to any crew that is adjudged to have impeded an overtaking crew.

• Have a good row!

Approximate distances from the start

Toll Bridge 1900 m

Suspension Bridge 3300 m

Apex of Bath Bend 2800 m (half way)

Trent Bridge 3900 m

Lady Bay Bridge 4500 m

Waterside Bridge 4900 m

Finish 5600 m