Head of the Fish

Sunday October 30^th
Bus Leaves LMMHS at 7am
Non-bus rowers need to be at the trailer, in Saratoga, at 6:30am
There is a $10 parking fee

There is a Winter Storm Watch for Saturday night in the Berkshires from about 1pm Saturday until 6am Sunday morning. Lenox is forecast to get 4-6" of heavy wet snow. Saratoga is forecast for less than an 1". I have talked with Joan, who is at the Fish, and she will be watching the weather and can contact the bus company and send an email blast. It is a possibility that the bus departure time could be delayed so please keep an eye on your email Saturday night and Sunday morning. Please make sure to have plenty of warm clothes.

Joan's cell phone (413-242-4001)

Here is a link to regatta centrals listing for our race schedule at The Head of the Fish.

Last season the weather at the fish was not bad, light drizzle and cold. However, the previous few years the weather has been terrible on race day so please watch the weather reports. There were a number of reported cases of hypothermia in 2009 (not on our team) so please watch the weather and come prepared. Have plenty of extra dry warm clothes (wool socks), boots, and rain gear. In 2009 it was so wet a lot of rowers bags, and spare dry clothes, got soaked. To prevent that pack your clothes in a trash bag inside your travel bag. If we all come prepared for armageddon then we will be guaranteed a beautiful day.
Also since we are close to Halloween rowers will often wear something in the boats to mark the occasion (like matching Viking helmets).

Saturday Practice Rowers: Rowers should be at the water by 3:30-4pm. - call Joan's cell phone (413-242-4001) on Saturday to find out where the trailer is. Please view the directions links at the bottom of this page for special instructions. For those coming to dinner Saturday night the reservation is for 6:30 at Forno Bistro 541 Broadway. The cost is $25 per person for an Italian buffet (that includes gratuity). Please bring cash as Joanne has put the deposit on her credit card. Those spending the night must be at the trailer at the Fish by 6:30am Sunday. All rowers not going up for practice on Saturday need to catch the 5am bus at LMMHS on Sunday morning.

Email and let me know what you can bring/send and I will list it below as I get it.

Head of the Fish Website

The race site is located in "Saratoga Lake Marine Park" and "Lee's trailer park". In 2011 the bridge over the river at this location was gone and a new one was under construction. However according to this article the bridge at the Fish is reopened, but what do I know.

Head of the Fish Directions

View Larger Map

This is the biggest race of the year and while there is some parking at the site you may be forced to park in a remote lot and take a shuttle bus to the race site. Check their website for details.

Below is the information sent from the race officials:
Race Schedule: We are in the following races:
10:58am - #1310, #1315, #1321, #1326. Boys 4
12:20pm - #1350. Girls 8
2:47pm - #1709. Boys 8

Here is a map of the tent sites we get to put a 10x20 next to the river.

Here is a picture of the race area .

Finally here is a list of rules/instructions they sent. This is a very large race.:
[1] All events have Gold-Silver-Bronze medals for the top three finishers. Events with at least 5 entries, are racing for the famous Fish Head Trophies. Awards may be picked up once an event is deemed "official".

[2] Also attached, you will find maps showing where food tents are to be put. Each spot is 10x20. Everything you have/need must fit completely on your site. You may not put anything on another's space. If you have a food trailer, it too must fit on your space or be put in the back field to store. Absolutely no cars may be driven into the Team Tent areas. Cars will be parked in the parking fields. (Map attached) Please make sure that your food parents know this. There will be zero tolerance, and even less discussion this year. Cars will simply be towed at owner's expense. It is expected that this message is passed along to the right people. Thanks in advance.

[3] Parking will be at Lee's Park. There will be a $10 charge as usual - by the owners of the park. The park is in great shape right now, and there should be plenty of space to park. All tow vehicles are free of charge, and may return to their boat trailer on race day.

[4] Boat Trailers: There are 86 coming this weekend. My advice is to have them here on Friday if possible. The park will be open until 11:00pm for trailer parking. For those of you rowing both days, or just saturday, you will not want to be in the early morning traffic saturday morning. Those of you racing just on sunday and planning on arriving saturday, may not bring your trailer in until after Saturday's crews have cleared out. Please figure on being able to get in about 4:45 - 5:00ish saturday.

[5] Buses should plan on dropping off at the NYS Boat Launch (indicated on the map attached). There should also be room in the back of the second trailer field.

[6] Some rules reminders: "Novice" means less than 1 year's experience. No rower may have rowed last Fall and still be considered a novice. "Modified" events are for Middle School kids (6th-8th). The coxed quads and octuples are events for those age groups.

[7] Lightweights = 135lbs for the ladies, and 160lbs for the fellas. There are no official weigh-ins but we reserve the right to weigh-in anyone, especially any medal winners after their race.

[8] The course is 3400m long. It begins before the Skidmore bridge, and ends just before the 9P bridge. Rowers will row through the finish line, and bridge, and then spin to port (around the buoy) to return.

[9] There are 6 docks. Three out-going, and three return. The Dockmasters will use them as needed to keep the process on time. Plan on first call 40 minutes before your race. Please remember that the calls are a courtesy. It is still the crew/coach's responsibility to be at the start on time.

[10] The bridge is open. You are welcome to come by way of Exit 14 if you choose, or by the way we have been using while the bridge was under construction.

If you have any questions contact