November 1, 2023 by Liam D’Evelyn (‘25)
The 2023 Head of the Fish Regatta took place this past weekend with 144 teams and nearly 2,000 boats competing.
For those not familiar with rowing, here are the essentials. In a head race like Head of the Fish, each boat begins the race one at a time and results are determined by the time it takes to complete the course. Entries are categorized by age, gender, number of rowers, whether or not it has a coxswain (the non-rower in the boat who steers and gives calls), and if the boat is sweeping or sculling (one or two oars per person, respectively). The fastest boats, and the highest priority crews for most teams, are the Eights. A team’s standing in the Eights category is often the biggest sign of the strength of the club or school.
The Head of the Fish is the apex of the fall season for the Saratoga Rowing Association (SRA) and is hosted right here on Fish Creek at the north side of Saratoga Lake. In the race, youth, college, and adult (masters, ages 27 and older) rowers face off against their spring rivals right before the winter season on a quick two-mile course and have a chance to win a prized fish head trophy. Even though the fall season is not as important as side-by-side sprint racing that happens in the Spring, head racing in the fall can be a good indicator to know if your boat or team is in a favorable position approaching the championship season.
On Saturday, the main college, masters, and youth singles events took place and were accompanied by gorgeous fall weather and comfortable 70 degrees most of the day. Several SSHS Alumni took home medals back on their home waters this weekend, including Brodie Hart from the Class of 2023 winning bronze in the men’s collegiate Four and Liam Casey from the Class of 2012 winning gold in the men’s open Quad.
Sunday was the main event for youth racing and was characterized by frigid and rainy conditions all day. Such a dramatic shift in conditions from the previous day came as a shock to the eager competitors. The SRA freshmen had a strong showing this year, winning both the Boys and Girls Under-16 Eights. Having faced off against much of their competition at the Head of the Charles a week prior, the Saratoga Varsity Eights had a rematch and placed 4th in the Girls Eight and 5th in the Boys Eight, with the boys beating Burnt Hills and Shenendehowa (called Erie Canal Athletic Club) by 8 seconds after a close defeat earlier in the season. In the 2nd Varsity Eights, the Girls took 5th, and the Boys took 4th in a 0.01-second loss from the podium, additionally the Girls Under-17 Eight also managed a 2nd place silver finish. To finish the day, the Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys came together for the Mixed Eights (a mixed gender boat). This race, being the final race of the day, is often paired with a costume theme because of the proximity of Head of the Fish to Halloween every year. The Teenage-Mutant-Ninja-Turtles-themed Mixed Eight came out with 1st place, and the pirate-themed Eight took home the bronze.
That’s a wrap on the final Regatta of the Fall Season. Stay tuned for more major news in Saratoga Rowing when the spring season comes around. But, until then, happy winter!