With six months of training under their belt, BUCS Regatta remains the highlight of the rowing season for those that are new to the sport. Holme Pierrepont holds a special place in the hearts and minds of all who have raced there as a novice. It’s usually the first time that they encounter the more preferable half of our sport, side-by-side racing. What this means is that entertainment value is almost guaranteed. Placing six boats next to each other seems to have an effect upon those that have never experienced it, some rise to the occasion whilst others sink, quite literally in some instances.
University of Exeter
Winning this event at BUCS Head and running away with the academic beginner pennant at the Head of the River, Exeter should be the clear favourites from this year’s crop. On a few occasions now, Exeter have had one over their nearest competition. Winning by nearly six seconds at BUCS Head and over a minute at the Head of the River, Exeter seem to be firmly in their groove as we approach regatta season. Seemingly a very capable crew from what we’ve seen so far, it’ll be interesting to see how much distance they can put between themselves and the rest of the novice field on this occasion.
University of Surrey
Surrey, of late, have become something of the perennial challengers in beginner events and BUCS Head has suggested a continuation of this trend. Finishing a close second in this event, it seems as though they should be Exeter’s nearest competition once more. Like most of the field at the Head of the River, Surrey were simply left behind. This isn’t an indictment of their ability, rather an endorsement of their competition. Often finding their form when it matters most, those who have experience of the recent novice scene know better than to write off a Surrey crew.
University of Warwick
Splitting Exeter and Surrey at the Head of the River, Warwick are one of the better crews that’ll be heading to Nottingham in search of a medal. Despite coming sixth place at BUCS Head, more than twenty five seconds behind Surrey in second place, they overcame this deficit when they took to the tideway little more than a month later. It’s difficult to know the reason for this but it does indicate that their BUCS performance was somewhat poor and perhaps a result of being overwhelmed by the experience. It goes without saying that they are capable of putting in a performance next week, however, as always with novice rowing, it’s the inconsistency that’s a cause for concern. Whilst I’m not sure that they have what it takes to win overall, winning a medal should remain their objective.
Queen University Belfast
It’s difficult to know what to expect from Queens as we have little indication of how they have progressed since BUCS Head. The need to travel from Ireland means we don’t see much of them other than the BUCS events. Sometimes, however, this surprise factor plays in their favour and they emerge, undetected, as central figures. Finishing fourth on the Tyne, Queens are one of the crews that I anticipate to be stronger than the rest of the field. Largely very successful as a program, it wouldn’t surprise me if they made Exeter sweat. As I’ve said about a number of crews already, it should go without saying that a medal is a must. If this isn’t achieved there’ll be great disappointment amongst a crew who’ve had to cross the Irish Sea to compete.
Predictions
Everything points in the direction of an Exeter victory but stranger things have happened. It’s the quality of the opposition makes this a fascinating event for the spectator. Whether or not these four are the crews that rise to the occasion is also a matter of discussion. It’s difficult to know what to expect from Oxford Brookes as last year didn’t quite work out for them. If I was to put my neck on the line I’d expect something similar once more. Either way, predicting the top three positions is near impossible.
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