Orcas Island Rowing Association (OIRA) will be hosting the “Headless Head” rowing races the day after Halloween. The rowing regatta at Cascade Lake on Sunday Nov. 2 is called the “Headless Head.”

“Head races” are a style of rowing race in which each boat follows the same course but boats start one at a time a few seconds apart. This makes for an efficient use of the course, as many boats can share the course. It also adds some excitement as boats try to pass each other on a “laneless” course.

The winner is the boat with the fastest time rather than the first over the line.The term and style of racing originated from famous river-based regattas held near the “head waters” on the Thames river in England and the Charles river in Massachusetts where it was not possible to have many boats racing abreast.

Racing will start at 10:30 a.m. Sunday Nov. 2 at the OIRA boathouse at the south end of Cascade Lake.

Contact head coach Tina Brown tinabrown@rockisland.com or 376-7677 for information or to sign up to row.