Christmas Head
Our annual Christmas race takes place on (usually) the 1st Saturday of December each year.
The course is 1,800m long running from the Pike and Eel to outside Jesus boathouse.
It’s a light-hearted race with many crews getting involved with the festive spirit by wearing fancy dress. Come join in the fun and Christmas cheer!
2025 Race
2025 RACE - 6th December
The 2025 race will take place on SATURDAY 6th December.
Entries
Christmas Head features race categories for Open, Women’s and Mixed categories and in: 8+, 8x+, 4-, 4+, 4x, 4x+, 2-, 2x, 1x.
​
THE 2025 RACE WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 6TH.
Entries can be made here
​​
Waiting list information can be found here
​
Entries opened 9th November, 11.57am
Tuesday 18th November, 12.36pm. Currently at 80% capacity, of the remaining 20%, 10% is currently pre-reserved (may become available later). So currently 10% on general sale. Small boats are almost sold completely out, with just a few spots remaining in divs 1 and 3.
​
1.50pm 23rd November. Final 10% of spots reserved for pre-registered clubs are now available. Once they have sold out I will operate the waiting list
For entries onto the waiting list please email eventsccrc@gmail.com with:
- club
- boat name
- shell type (2x/8+ etc)
- category you wish to race
- which divisions you are able to race
- any other notes (costume, rowing with a combination of sweep and scull etc)
I'm expecting to be able to get ~10-20 boats from the waiting list onto the draw (I know some junior entries will scratch as children's availability changed and if the weather conditions are ok I can make the divisions slightly bigger) so the waiting list is definitely not a no-hope position.
Prizes
​Pots will be awarded for:
-
Senior categories with 3 or more entries
-
Junior categories with 2 or more entries
-
The best fancy dress
-
The best line under the Green Dragon Bridge
​
Special additional prizes for the fastest mixed town and college eights
Division Times
-
Division 1: 09:00
-
Division 2: 11:00
-
Division 3: 13:00
-
Division 4: 14:45
Competitor Information
A detailed copy of the competitor information and instructions is here: Christmas Head Competitor Info.
Numbers can be collected from the City of Cambridge Boathouse on the morning of the event. Please note we will be using Empacher number boards so each boat will need an Empacher slot.
​
Boats must be ready to marshal along the Reach at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the division.
​
A copy of our risk assessment is available on request.​
Draw
The start order will be published here when ready.
Contact and row-through requests
If you would like to request a row though please contact the Events Secretary.
Marshalling instructions and sign-up
City members must sign up for marshalling.
Marshal instructions can be found here: Christmas Head Marshal Instructions
Sign up to marshal here.