2025 NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River – First Quads Preview

The first quads are an important race for many athletes in this regatta; for a portion, it is one of the final races they will compete in for their respective schools. Quad sculling does not have the richest of histories in Australia, but there is an increasing weight of competition in this arena, and these young women will be keen to prove themselves ahead of the national championships in a few weeks’ time.

Canberra Girls Grammar

The former champions of this category, the Canberra Girls Grammar athletes are back again to claim the title for the second year running. A programme full of highly talented athletes, this crew are unlikely to disappoint. Coming off a win at the NSW State Championships only a month ago plus a recent win in both eight and quad at the 2025 ACT Head of the Lake, they are surely an easy bet for the podium. The question is open as to whether they can take the overall win.

Radford College

Finishing in third this time last year, the Radford crew should be looking to improve on this showing with last year’s silver medallists from Kinross not present. After being named as one of the finalists for the Australian Rowing Club of the Year, they will be brimming to prove that validation on the grandest of schoolgirl stages. After taking second to the aforementioned Canberra Girls Grammar crew in the schoolgirl quad heat at the NSW State Championships, they were fourth in the final. It seems the field in this race will be quite close.

Redlands

The plan for Redlands should be to step onto the podium after missing out in 2024. They placed fifth at the NSW State Championships in the schoolgirl quad and sixth at the NSW All School Championships. Although these are not the most prolific results, this boat will have been focused on finding speed to undercut their opponents and may spring a surprise come race day.

Prediction

The mixture of boats entered into this race means we have a few contenders – in testament to the strength of schoolgirl sculling – but I feel confident in predicting that Canberra will take the top spot.

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