The first national event on this season’s rowing calendar, BUCS Head, brings together a large cohort of university crews to compete over two days on the River Tyne. The stakes are high, with medals and BUCS points on the line, and crews will be eager to make their mark as they build into the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race in two weeks’ time.
The women’s eights will race in Division One against an outgoing tide over the 5000-metre course from Scotswood to Newburn, passing under three bridges and navigating four tight river bends.
Durham University Boat Club
Having commanded victory in this event for the past two years, Durham University Boat Club has a reputation to uphold. Absent from Rutherford Head and Tyne Head, Durham has only raced in eights once so far this season. However, their performance at Tyne United Head was decisive, winning the women’s eights by 13.5 seconds- a margin that will have boosted their confidence heading into this weekend.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Newcastle University Boat Club last reigned supreme in this category in 2020 and narrowly missed out on gold last year by just 2.7 seconds. However, just a fortnight later at Women’s Eights Head of the River Racr, the Blue Star turned the tables on their opposition, defeating victors Durham by 6.4 seconds and securing a top-ten finish. From then on, the crew went from strength to strength, culminating in a historic appearance in the final of The Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta—a first for a Newcastle eight and their women’s squad.
In November, at Rutherford Head, Newcastle convincingly beat rivals Edinburgh by 13.3 seconds. Determined to defend their home water, they will give it their all in pursuit of the gold they last held five years ago.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
Edinburgh University Boat Club is renowned for its squad depth. At BUCS Head in 2024, less than ten seconds separated their first and second eights, and at Henley Royal Regatta, they qualified an impressive three eights for The Island Challenge Cup. Despite not being based on the Tyne, Edinburgh has plenty of experience racing there- being regulars at some of the local events such as Rutherford Head. In 2022, they outpaced the competition to seize victory by 4.5 seconds, only to concede by the same margin to Durham the following year. After securing bronze last year but finishing 12.5 seconds behind silver, Edinburgh managed to close the gap on their rivals at Women’s Head of the River Race. This time, they will be aiming to take the lead from stroke one
Imperial College Boat Club
Five seconds came between Imperial College Boat Club and a medal in this category in 2024, although this margin was far smaller than in years past. The afternoon’s racing showcased Imperial’s talent to a greater degree when they won gold and bronze in the coxless and coxed fours, respectively. With plenty of experience racing on the Tideway, I expect that Imperial will be able to handle whatever conditions the Tyne god decides to throw at them come Saturday.
University of Nottingham Boat Club
A well-regarded programme, Nottingham University Boat Club has consistently posted times at BUCS Head that would bag them medals in the intermediate category but haven’t quite managed to produce speeds fast enough to be competitive at the championship level. Highlights of their past season include victory in the Women’s Academic Eights at the Metropolitan Regatta and reaching the Thursday of The Island Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Well-versed in navigating the twists and turns of the Tyne, Nottingham knows what it takes to win BUCS medals- but execution is easier said than done.
University of Birmingham Boat Club
2025 marks the first time the University of Birmingham Boat Club will make the journey to race on the Tyne at BUCS Head. With a strong track record in small boats, Birmingham won five medals in singles and doubles at BUCS Regatta in 2024 but has less experience racing in eights.
At Women’s Head of the River Race in 2024, Birmingham placed 43rd overall, with a considerable margin between themselves and many of their competitors here. However, as the transition from small boats to eights is often smoother than the reverse, Birmingham’s first eight could be the crew with the technical capability to overcome the challenges of the Tyne and outpace programmes solely focused on eights.
Predictions
With Newcastle University Boat Club having the advantage of home water and several dress rehearsals of the course under their belt, I predict they will be the frontrunners for gold, followed by Edinburgh Univeristy Boat Club. I expect Durham Univeristy Boat Club to take bronze, though Imperial College Boat Club will put up a strong fight, and the margins will likely be slim. Less is known about the speed of the University of Birmingham Boat Club‘s first eight. While previous results suggest substantial gaps between them and the top crews, the programme has produced talents such as Katie Mole, meaning we could be in for a surprise on Saturday.
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