Typically one of the most hotly contested events at this regatta, the Schoolboy Coxed Quad looks as punchy and competitive as ever. Although the field of schools that have entered does not yet show the depth of the event that will be held at Nationals in March, some of the country’s best are lined up here. This promises to draw much interest from the rest of the quad-sculling field nationally.
Kinross Wolaroi
National champions, hot favourites, and full of returners, Kinross loom ominously. Although they compete without their usual main rivals from the ACT, Kinross will be challenged but will look to end the race early if they can, and stamp their name on this event as clear favourites for the rest of the year. Look out for the stylistic massive first 1000m effort to put themselves ahead comfortably. Three Kinross boats are entered, with Smith, Tancred, Buckland, Dymock, and Baker (c) making up their first boat (three of which return from last season’s first quad), but their second quad will also be powerful and will look to challenge for a medal. The weekend will be sky blue if Kinross has two boats on the podium at the end of this race.
Hunter Valley Grammar
Emerging onto the sculling scene in recent years, the successes in small boats from Purdie and Nichols promise to make this quad from Hunter Valley competitive at the very least. Are they a serious quad sculling program that can compete with Kinross and the very best though? Considering they have entered three quads in this event, it seems they certainly have the depth to make a great push towards the podium this weekend, and maybe into the big regattas of the new year.
St Augustines
Not known for typically investing in coxed quads, St Augustines have entered quite a strong crew, who have shown much promise across the many events in which they compete. The Judith Ungemach-coached crew can always be counted on to row hard, fast, and smoothly, and certainly will aim for a podium position here. How seriously they plan on taking the coxed quad this season remains to be seen, but in this highly competitive field, if they can do well, St Augustines should be happy with their start.
Redlands
B-Finalists from the 2024 Australian Nationals Championships, Redlands are also on the rise as a sculling program and might show that this is the season where they plan to step into the big leagues. Their first quad (McInnes, Anderson, Morrison, Meek, Lee (c)) has two returning rowers, so they should be able to build nicely on a reasonably solid previous season. Much of this quad also finished third in a very hotly contested U17 4x+ at the Australian Nationals Championships, which is an achievement that certainly will motivate Redlands to continue their climb towards the top of Australian schoolboy sculling. A podium would be a good result for Redlands.
Cranbrook
Entering four quads, Cranbrook have depth and a first quad with three returning rowers who may yet show that they are much improved from their C-Final finish at the 2024 Australian Nationals Championships. While Cranbrook has always boasted fairly sizeable squads, the question is whether this will translate to the best Australian schoolboy sculling. We will have to see, but given the depth of Kinross and solid crews from other programs, they will do very well to get near the podium.
Newcastle Grammar
Not generally towards the front of the field, the combination of some historically strong doubles and the entry of two coxed quads suggests Newcastle Grammar are serious about their coxed quads this season. Unfortunately, so is everybody else entered, and in this competitive field, Newcastle will be happy to make the top six.
Prediction
Kinross will take this event simply, although Hunter Valley Grammar will work to stay within reach. If Redlands has built on what they were last year, the race between Hunter Valley, St Augustines, and Redlands for the minor medals will be the most interesting of the weekend.
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