Can I make up a race uniform for my crew?
No. All crews must race in official club uniforms. For composite crews, each rower must wear the uniform of his / her club. Importantly, attire promoting corporate branding such as a retailer is not permitted. Race officials will be ready to remove such crews from the race in 2008.
Can our crew or coxswain attire in fancy dress?
No. The HOY is not a novelty event. Fancy dress such as hats and similar is therefore not permitted, as it is not permitted for other official regatta events. Please do not demean the HOY by resorting to novelty attire.
Can I bring alcohol into Yarra Bank Reserve?
No. Please be aware that Hawthorn Rowing Club has to obtain permits and licences to use the Yarra Bank Reserve on race day. These permits and licences come with strict conditions and obligations on HRC. In this regard, we are responsible for controlling the responsible consumption of alcohol – especially with thousands of rowers and spectators gathering in the reserve. HRC and our security firm have an obligation to control this alcohol consumption. We are not permitted therefore to allow individuals to bring alcohol into the reserve for private consumption. This responsibility is monitored on the day by frequent police patrols. We ask that you please respect this requirement and not bring alcohol into the reserve.
Can we bring our own club private party, marquees and / or banners?
No. With thousands of people gathering in Yarra Bank Reserve, we have an obligation to ensure open and free access and movement for all concerned. We understand private BBQs and marquees are common at other regattas. However, the HOY is unique in that we have thousands of people gathering in the reserve. Should we experience many clubs setting up private marquees and banners, free and open access and movement in the reserve will be denied to others.

Please therefore respect the benefit to all of free and open access and movement for all concerned, and refrain from staking claims to parts of the lawn area to the exclusion of others.

Can we request a row over or special category to suit our crew?
No. Each year we receive requests for crews to row over the course / compete as a “special category.” Please note we cannot accommodate these requests. The Head of the Yarra is essentially a normal regatta comprising the “standard” Rowing Victoria race categories. As much as we enjoy the Head of the Yarra, it is not a mass participation “fun” event such as a “fun run”. Importantly, we have to employ sophisticated recording processes with the start timing, finish timing and calculation timing to ensure integrity of every crew’s start and finish time. Complications with boats on the course that are not competing in the race categories present enormous risks and logistical nightmares for us.

Please understand this when we decline your special requests, however all race categories are reviewed each year.