RegattaCentral

         Jacksonville Rowing Club

              invites you to

    FIRST COAST HEAD RACE

Florida's Oldest Head Race

Get ready for THREE waterways & THREE bridges! 

We are excited to see you on

  October 14th, 2023

Race Location:            5920 Arlington Expressway, Jacksonville, FL 32211

Race Website:             https://www.firstcoast-headrace.org/

Registration Deadline:  Sunday, October 8th, 2023

Experience the First Coast Head Race, the oldest head race in Florida. This annual regatta is held in Jacksonville on the St. Johns and Arlington Rivers. 

The regatta is a 5-kilometer course that winds through protected waters, skirts beautiful marshes and passes through several river front communities to provide an excellent test of endurance, ingenuity, and perseverance. As a near replica of the Head of the Charles, crews will be prepared for the prestigious Boston regatta one week later. Event offerings include sculling (singles, doubles, and quads) and sweep (pair, four +/-, and eight +), with the ages of athletes ranging from 12 to 99.

The regatta begins with a rolling start north of the Mathews Bridge and heads south leading into the longest straightaway of the course past Exchange Island. Competitors turn east into the Arlington River towards the second longest straightaway heading for the University Bridge. Once through the University Bridge, they prepare for a tight turn to set up for passage under the Cesery Bridge. Greeted by a crowd of cheering spectators atop the blocked-off Cesery Bridge, competitors will gain spirit and resolve to meet the back third of the course. Leaving the crowd behind, they begin a series of turns and decreasing straightaways. The competitors experience the final challenge of a near 90-degree turn for a sprint into Pottsburg Creek and an exciting finish before the Atlantic Blvd Bridge.

The race schedule normally allows for doubling.  Sign up for a sculling event, then sweep your way down the course in doubles, fours, and eights.

We’re excited to see you in October!