Head of the River Amstel
Encyclopedia
The Head of the River Amstel or Kampioenschap van de Amstel is a rowing
race held annually on the river Amstel
in Amsterdam
, The Netherlands on the 8 km track from Amsterdam to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
. The Willem III Rowing Club
organises the race in association with the Amsterdam Rowing Association (ARB).
provided the inspiration for the Head of the River Amstel. The race was held for the first time in 1933 when the Women's Longdistance Championship of the Amstel, organised by Willem III and the Mens Longdistance Championship of the Amstel, organised by the ARB, merged. Since then the race grew to one of the biggest rowing events in the Netherlands with more than 500 boats and 4000 participants.
For the first 75 years of its existence, the boats started in Ouderkerk and finished in the centre of Amsterdam. In 2007 this was turned around and the regatta now starts in Amsterdam and finishes in Ouderkerk.
Sport rowing
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
race held annually on the river Amstel
Amstel
The Amstel is a river in the Netherlands which runs through the city of Amsterdam. The river's name is derived from Aeme stelle, old Dutch for "area abounding with water"....
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, The Netherlands on the 8 km track from Amsterdam to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
Ouderkerk aan de Amstel is a town in the Dutch province of North Holland. It is largely a part of the municipality of Ouder-Amstel, and lies about 9 km south of Amsterdam. A small part of the town lies in the municipality of Amstelveen....
. The Willem III Rowing Club
Willem III Rowing Club
Willem III Rowing Club is one of the largest and oldest rowing clubs in The Netherlands. It is located on the south side of Amsterdam, on the bank of the river Amstel. The club also has training facilities near the Bosbaan, the former olympic course on the southwest side of Amsterdam. It is a...
organises the race in association with the Amsterdam Rowing Association (ARB).
History
The Head of the River RaceHead of the River Race
The Head of the River Race is a processional rowing race held annually on the River Thames in London, England, on the 4.25 mile Championship Course from Mortlake to Putney.-History:...
provided the inspiration for the Head of the River Amstel. The race was held for the first time in 1933 when the Women's Longdistance Championship of the Amstel, organised by Willem III and the Mens Longdistance Championship of the Amstel, organised by the ARB, merged. Since then the race grew to one of the biggest rowing events in the Netherlands with more than 500 boats and 4000 participants.
For the first 75 years of its existence, the boats started in Ouderkerk and finished in the centre of Amsterdam. In 2007 this was turned around and the regatta now starts in Amsterdam and finishes in Ouderkerk.