This weekend, the fastest student scullers in the UK will descend upon Nottingham to compete in the Men’s Championship Quads at BUCS Regatta. Often seen as a fairly technical boat, the quad is an interesting mix between raw power, technique and crew unity. Last year’s event was won by Queen’s University Belfast, but with most of the rowers in that boat now training full time with the Irish national team, the event is now wide open for anyone to win.
Reading University BC
The UK’s premier sculling programme, Reading University are the favourites to win. After second place finishes in 2021 and 2022, they’ll certainly be hungry for the win. To add to this, they also took first place at BUCS Head, and crew member Sol Hewitt recently came seventh at U23 GB final trials. In short, they’re pretty damn fast.
Durham University BC
Durham University always seem to put together a fast quad for BUCS events, despite spending most of the year in eights, and trialing for GB in sweep rowing. At BUCS Regatta 2021 and 2022, they came fourth in the Championship Quads, and will be looking to build on this. A third place finish in the quads at BUCS Head means they’ve got some good momentum – but we’ll have to wait and see as to whether this has culminated in a crew able to topple the established names this weekend.
Edinburgh University BC
A hub for top scullers, the University of Edinburgh send fast quads to BUCS Regatta year after year. The boat is stroked by Harry Guy, who has previously raced as a lightweight. Josh Matthews, the talented fresher, will likely be in the crew as well.
University of London BC
The University of London have also entered a quad – and a fast one by the looks of it. Stroked by the erg monster, Tristan Wiese, this crew certainly won’t be short of power. Another big engine in the quad is Joe Middleton, who seems to excel at every club he joins.
Bath University BC
Home to a few of the most individually talented young scullers, the University of Bath will be looking to compete with the best of the best on the weekend. Under the watchful eye of Coach Dan Harris, athletes such as Jamie Gare and Cedol Dafydd have developed significantly and will be in the crew alongside the top scullers from the university squad in Ben Furley and Joe Stobbs.
University of Nottingham BC
The University of Nottingham usually enter a quad at BUCS Regatta, but are also usually slightly off the pace. Apart from Bath, they are the only non-high performance centre to be racing Championship Quads this weekend. They do have some solid individual talent though, such as Emil Ghattas, who represented GB at the Coupe de Jeunesse in 2019.
Newcastle University BC
Newcastle also usually enter a pretty fast quad for BUCS Regatta. However this year, they are missing (due to graduation) Joe Adamson and Bruce Turnell, who have both been mainstays in the fastest Newcastle crews over the past few years. We’ll have to wait until the weekend to see how fast a new-look Newcastle quad are on the water.
Prediction
Overall, I predict a win for Reading. It’s hard to look past the talent, experience and tenacity of this crew. At this point they are the Oxford Brookes of sculling. Looking to second place, I’d give the nod to Bath, and then third place for UL.
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