The Head of the River regatta is the last rowing event of the Public Schools Association (PSA) calendar.
Originally, the race for Head of the River was held between coxed fours from each school and the winning crew was awarded the Challenge Cup.
In 1982 the Hamer Cup was introduced and awarded annually to the school which scored the most points for placings in each event at the regatta.
When Perth won the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, the regatta moved to the 6 lane Canning River course.
In 1969 the event returned to the wider course on the Swan River at the base of Kings Park near the Narrows Bridge.