March 9 and 10, 2024, the long distance classic 'Head of the River Amstel' will be rowed in Amsterdam. If you would like to participate (again) in a four or an eight in one of the oldest and biggest long-distance rowing races in the Netherlands, please check the website for the category and block schedule.
The new / updated block schedule for the Head of the River Amstel 2024 have been published.
Some events have been changed / relocated to a different time slot, so check what time your event is scheduled now. See the complete schedule on the Time schedule page.
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We look back on a wonderful Head of the River Amstel, March 11-12, 2023
The skies looked to be stormy, but the weather gods favored us. Saturday brought us the beautiful spring sun and Sunday the wind stayed low. This to the disappointment of the coastal rowers, who participated in the Head for the first time. Two beautiful rowing days with more than four thousand enthusiastic rowers and coxswains, and more than one hundred and twenty satisfied volunteers.
We look forward to greeting everyone again next year at the Amstel.
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The Start numbers have been devided. Check the Draw page to see what number you will start with.
Starting at Friday March 10th, at 14.00h, you are able to collect your Shirt numbers at the HEAD-quarters (at rowing club Willem III, Jan Vroegopsingel 8). Distribution of the numbers will be done per club, not individual crews. Please check if the payment for participation has been made.
Time slots to pick up your shirt numbers:
- Friday March 10 14.00 – 20.00
- Saturday March 11 09.00 – 15.00
- Sunday March 12 08.30 – 12.00
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Due to construction works on the Bridge in Ouderkerk, there is no passage possible under the bridge during the weekend of the Head of the River. Because of this, the start of the race has been moved in the direction of Amsterdam.
There are some consequences for both racing and warming up towards the start:
- Always listen to the umpire in the start area.
- All crews need to turn before the Bridge in Ouderkerk.
- After passing the Rozenoord bridge, crews will wamr up in numbered order.
- Keep an eye on your passing time of the Rozenoord bridge, which is printed on your crew numbers. (It has been shorted compared to other years)
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This week will be the last week that you can enter the Head of the River competition, March 11 and 12 2023. Friday, March 3, at 23.59h the entry system will close.
The draw will take place on Monday, March 6 and will be made available on this our Draw page.
In the weeks leading up to the Head of the River Amstel weekend, each boat trailer should be registered.
Registration can be done at the rowing club where your own club is assigned to.
Due to the traffic situation, boat trailers must be unloaded immediately. Racks are available.
For further details please look at our boat trailer page and keep an eye on our website for future updates.
The registration for the Head of the River Amstel of March 11 and 12 opens on January 31st.
You can register by sending your boat and crew details to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
See instructions for entering on our Entries page.
Teams can register until March 3, 11.59PM.
The Draw will take place on March 6.
The events and block schedule at the Head of the River Amstel 2023 have changed from last year.
First of all, two new fields have been added:
- The PRE-masters: 4* and 8+ for women and men between 22 and 32 years, from mixed rowing clubs
- Coastal rowing
Additionally, most Club and Masters events will now row on Saturday. Most elite, advanced, first year and juniors 16-18 will now row on Sunday.
See the complete schedule on the Time schedule page.
Welcome to the Head, Welcome to Amsterdam!
The Head of the River will start the Dutch rowing season on 11 and 12 of March 2023. Both national and international crews will compete during the Championship of the Amstel.
2023 will be the 90th anniversary of the competition. The first edition of this unique long distance event was held in 1933.
Short impression of the Head of the River 2022
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The Start numbers have been devided. Check the Draw to see what number you will start with.
Starting at Friday March 18th, at 14.00h, you are able to collect your shirt numbers at the workshop of rowing club Willem III, Jan Vroegopsingel 8. Distribution of the numbers will be done per club, not individual crews.
Check for all the time slots to pick up your shirt numbers the Rules page, item #5.
The numbers will only be distributed after payment is received.
BE AWARE: This year it is not possible to collect your shirt numbers at rowing club RIC.
The last couple of weeks, the Oranjebaan bridge Ouderkerk is being renewed. One or more of the bridge openings is therefore blocked. In consultation with the contractor, the blockage will be removed during the HEAD-weekend.
The centre and most western bridge opening will be open and can be used for rowing to the warm up zone (centre opening) and rowing to the start (western opening). Please always follow the instructions of the official that is present in the area.
Now the enrty system has been close, the starting times per category have been determined. At the Timeschedule page you can find the detailed schedule.
For the Masters, if you have tried to provide us your target time, you can now check if this has been properly received, also via the Timeschedule page.
If you bring your own boat to the Head of the River, you need to register your boat trailer.
Please send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
with the following information:
- Arrival time Friday 18th or Saturday 19th
- Name of the Boat trailer
- (if possible) name of driver and phone number
- How many boats, including types per trailer
Some clubs already have parking agreements with Amsterdam Rowing clubs.
Please find more information on the Boat trailer page