On Sunday (Nov. 4) morning, thousands of rowers gather to test themselves against a coarse that starts in Lake Union, bends under the University Bridge to go through the Montlake Cut, ending up in Lake Washington.
The Head of the Lake Regatta attracts more than 2,000 rowers of all levels from around the Pacific Northwest. There are plenty of great views of the course, from the bridges, along the Montlake Cut, or along the Lake Union waterfront near the Lake Union Crew boathouse on Westlake Avenue. If your viewing area is along the Montlake Cut, you could consider popping over to the Conibear Shellhouse on the University of Washington Lakefront (3896 Walla Walla Road N.E.), for the pancake breakfast ($10 at the door or $5 for kids under 10. Vegan and gluten free options available).
The action on the water begins bright and early at 8 a.m. (and don't forget: That is the day we will have just turned the clocks back!)
The way “Head” rowing races work is that boats take turns to start, each with a 15-second gap. So until it’s all over, it’s hard to know who won. Sideline spectators can figure out a few things, particularly if they keep an eye on the numbers on the bow, says K.C. Dietz, a rowing coach at Lake Washington Rowing Club. The lower the number, the earlier the boat started.
“If a boat with a higher number is ahead of lower numbers, then they are certainly faster than those boats,” Dietz says.
