ATHLETES & COACHES:
This Crew Guide outlines key things you’ll need to complete and become familiar with, and how to prepare for your arrival, race day, and adhering to the ins and outs expected of all competitors and attendees.
INFORMATION PACKET: All “information packet” content is posted on this website. Be sure to review the following sections: 2025 Rules & Procedures, Crew Guide, Course Overview, Parking & Directions.
Crew Guide
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM REGATTA DIRECTOR:
Read Letter Re: Course Adjustments Due to Weather - 6:15pm October 10th
COACHES MEETING at 6:15am: ALL available coaches, please meet tomorrow at 6:15 a.m. near the front entrance to the River House to discuss the changes and address any questions.
Just Updated:
NEW! (Oct. 9th) - The 2025 Course FPV Guide Video has been posted. See Course Overview page.
NEW! (Oct. 7th) - Direct link to Schedule & Results posted on CrewTimer.
NEW! (Oct. 1st) - Coaches & Athletes Meeting video is now posted. See Arrival & Friday Practice section.
NEW! (Oct. 1st) - Coxswains’ Navigation Guide pdf is also posted for download. See Course Overview page.
To receive time-sensitive alerts during the regatta, please join the FCHR GroupMe.
Sign up for select FCHR email updates (such as posting of official photos).
Typical October WEather
October is a terrific time of year to enjoy a day outside and on the water in Jacksonville.
Average daily temperatures are 65°F – 82°F and skies are usually clear or mostly clear with a light easterly breeze. October averages only 5 rainy days.
Let other FCHR attendees know if you’re IN NEED of a rower, coxswain, or boat, or you’re AVAILABLE to row, cox or have a boat to rent! Try Row on the Go.
Crew Guide Overview
Section includes:
Registration Instructions
FCHR Rules & Procedures
Check-in Documents
USRowing Compliance
NCAA Compliance
Order of Events
Notice of Bridge Closure
Section includes:
Competitor Listing Form
Medical Information Form
Lightweight Weigh-In Form
USRowing Waivers: Verify Active Status
Section includes:
Trailer Parking and Directions
Club Check-In
Lightweight Weigh-In
Coaches & Athletes Meeting
Friday Practice Rules & Hours
Section includes:
Bow Cards & Back Numbers: PENALTIES
Results & Awards
Regatta Compliance
FCHR Rules & Procedures
Please be sure to review the official Rules & Procedures for this year’s First Coast Head Race.
Registration Instructions
Please refer to the Registration page, as well as section 1 of the FCHR Rules & Procedures. All “information packet” content is posted on the pages of this website.
Check-In Documents
All teams must bring printed and completed copies of the following forms when checking in at the registration tent:
Competitor Listing Form (with verification of USRowing Waiver compliance)
Medical Information Form
Lightweight Weigh-In Form (if applicable).
Please go to Check-In Documents section to download.
USRowing Compliance
All competitors must be on the active roster of a USRowing organizational member, unless they are rowing as Unaffiliated, and all competitors must meet all individual USRowing requirements, such as having a valid USRowing membership, waiver, and, if applicable, SafeSport certification.
MINORS: For competitors under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must sign the minor’s waiver. Please complete your membership and waiver online at the link above.
Note: If your team is not in the database, select “Unaffiliated” from the drop-down menu.
NCAA Compliance
Colleges should review the event categories with their NCAA Compliance Officer to ensure collegiate athletes are following the NCAA rules.
Order of Events
The posted order of events and start times are preliminary until all entries have been made, and are intended to allow for an athlete’s participation in multiple events, when appropriate. Requests from team coaches regarding the order of and spacing between events will be reviewed and taken into consideration.
For further details, refer to the Registration section of the FCHR Rules & Procedures.
Notice of Bridge Closure
The Cesery Blvd. Bridge will be CLOSED to all vehicular traffic on Saturday, October 11, 2025 from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Check-In Documents
REquired Check-In Forms
All teams must bring printed and completed copies of the following forms when checking in at the Registration Office.
1. Competitor Listing Form (with verification of USRowing Waiver compliance)
2. Medical Information Form
3. Lightweight Weigh-In Form (if applicable)
USRowing Waivers: Verify Active Status
The USRowing waiver is required for ALL COMPETITORS.
Access the athlete’s USRowing Member Portal to verify that they have an active USRowing Liability Waiver and that it will NOT expire on or prior to October 11, 2025.
Arrival & Friday Practice
Trailer / Car Topper Parking & Directions
Refer to the Parking page for full details on Trailer, Car Topper, and Tow Vehicle parking.
Club Check-Ins & Weigh-Ins
Registration Office
Proceed to the Registration Office for Check-in and Weigh-in.
Look for the the one-story building between the Trailer Parking lot and the river.
Who Can Check-In?
A team coach MUST check in for the entire team. Masters clubs, please notify your members of this.
Club Check-In
FRIDAY: 4:45pm to 6:30pm
SATURDAY: Beginning at 6:30am
Check-In Documents: Remember to bring printed copies of all applicable check-in documents. (Get forms here.)
Bow Cards and Back Numbers: Bow cards and back numbers for bow-seat or coxswains will be provided in the registration package.
IMPORTANT: See Rules for Lost or Missing Bow Cards for associated penalties and fees.
Bow cards MUST be returned upon exiting the dock. Unreturned bow cards are subject to a $10.00 fee.
Lightweight Weigh-In
Weigh-in for members of lightweight crews will take place:
FRIDAY: 5:00pm to 7:00pm
SATURDAY: 6:30am to 8:00am
Lightweight Weigh-In requirements:
The entire boat — with completed weigh-in forms — must be present for weigh-ins.
Re-weigh is ONLY allowed if rower(s) is within one pound of maximum weight.
Coxswains are exempt from weigh-in.
2025 Coaches & Athletes Meeting
The First Coast Head Race will utilize a virtual format for the coaches and athletes meeting.
The 2025 video is NOW POSTED. Watch right here or on YouTube: 2025 Coaches & Athletes Meeting.
On-Site Questions & Answers
The Regatta Director and the Head Referee will both be available to answer any additional questions throughout the day, commencing at 6:30am on Saturday.
Friday Practice Rules & Hours
ONLY those teams that have cleared the Registration process will be allowed on the water. Please make sure all your forms have been submitted.
Site Access Time
Trailers MAY NOT enter the parking area until 4:30 p.m. on FRIDAY.
Practice Hours
The site will be available for practice (weather permitting) on Friday afternoon starting at 4:45 p.m.
ALL BOATS MUST BE OFF THE WATER BY 6:45 pm. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Penalty for Late Return to Dock
Teams will be assessed a warning for returning late to the dock.
If a team receives a warning, EVERY boat of that team will start the race with a warning.
Day of the Regatta
Bow Cards & Back Numbers
Bow cards and back numbers for bow-seat or coxswains will be provided in the registration package.
IMPORTANT: See Rules for Lost or Missing Bow Cards
Bow cards MUST be returned upon exiting the dock. Unreturned bow cards are subject to a $10.00 fee.
Missing Bow Cards
No boat will be allowed to launch without its bow card.
Boats racing without bow cards will be subject to a 15 second penalty. Please be sure the bow card is fastened securely (taped, if necessary), in order to avoid penalties.
Results & Awards
Schedule & Results - Updated
Schedule & Results will be posted on CrewTimer. (Direct link added 10/7/25)
Medal Pick-Up
Medals will be available for collection at the awards table AFTER the official results for the event are posted.
ONLY coaches/masters Team Captains may sign for and pick up team medals.
Team Points Trophy
The Augie Merolle Team Points Trophy will be presented at the end of the regatta.
