In a tale as old as time itself, another bastion of the winter calendar has fallen afoul of the British weather – Storm Bert, to be precise.
To fill the void in the community’s collective calendar, we have compiled our predictions for every Fours Head event from across our junior, student, and senior writing teams.
Open Championship Quads
“Despite the ominous name of Callum Dixon in the Molesey/Twickenham composite, I think the talent out of the Pink Palace will be overwhelming for the rest of the field, and the top two positions will be between Leander Club’s A and B crews, with bow number one ultimately taking the victory. Behind them, the battle for the top academic crew in the field will be intriguing, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Queen’s travelled back across the Irish Sea with that honour.”
JRN prediction:
- Leander Club ‘A’
- Leander Club ‘B’
- Queen’s University Belfast
Read Fraser’s full preview here.
Women’s Championship Quads
“It is difficult to look past the quad stacked with Olympic gold and bronze medallists when considering who is most likely to claim victory in this event. What will be more interesting is to see how the other crews measure up against one another. I expect that following in the ranks behind Leander and Upper Thames will be Reading University, Leander ‘A’(crew 43) and Oxford Brookes.”
JRN prediction:
- Leander Club and Upper Thames Rowing Club Composite
- Reading University Boat Club
- Leander Club ‘A”
Read Martha’s full preview here.
Open Junior Quads
“For the win, it is just too difficult to look past the might of Windsor. An upset could come from Hinksey or Tideway, but it seems unlikely. Therefore, for me, the order would be Windsor, Hinksey, Tideway, Leander, and then Wycliffe, although I also wouldn’t put it past Windsor ‘B’ to be right in that mix.”
JRN prediction:
- Windsor Boys’ School Boat Club
- Hinkey Sculling School
- Tideway Scullers School
Read Lawrence’s full preview here.
Women’s Junior Quads
“I predict that first place will be a tough fight between Tideway Scullers School and Wycliffe College Boat Club, with Marlow Rowing Club close behind. Marlow may push second place, aiming to prove themselves against Wycliffe, but ultimately, I believe they will miss out on first place. I predict that Hartpury will put in a reasonable effort but will fall short of a podium finish this early in the season.”
JRN prediction:
- Wycliffe College Boat Club
- Marlow Rowing Club
- Tideway Scullers School
Read The Oaracle’s full preview here.
Open Academic Quads
“With Reading University Boat Club, University of Nottingham Boat Club and Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club all entering multiple crews, the victor will likely come from one of these clubs. With that being said, Reading doesn’t just have a frequency to help them; they’re also a formidable sculling club that will make every effort to set an unbeatable time. Queens are the club most likely to pressure Reading to finish on top and not let them take a clean sweep in this race. It will be a close call between Queen’s and Reading.“
JRN prediction:
- Reading University Boat Club
- Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club
- University of Nottingham Boat Club
Read Ryan’s full preview here.
Women’s Academic Quads
“Despite likely being a second crew or perhaps a top crew of academic eligible athletes, I expect Reading University Boat Club to take the win. Their success in the quad last season and the strength of individual athletes demonstrated at GB trials sets them up well to win, and I expect by a large margin. I expect to see Queen’s University Belfast and Nottingham University following them.“
JRN prediction:
- Reading University Boat Club
- Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club
- University of Nottingham Boat Club
Read Hazel’s full preview here.
Open Club Quads
“London have been stronger in sculling for a few years now and barring a mishap, I would expect them either to place well or win the event. Tideway Scullers will probably be the closets challengers in terms of quality, but Upper Thames, Agecroft and Derby all look as if they have potential to make a concerted challenge for the top few places.”
JRN prediction:
- London Rowing Club
- Tideway Scullers School
- Upper Thames Rowing Club
Read Finn’s full preview here.
Women’s Club Quads
“My first prediction is that it will be tight for the top spot. My gut instinct is that we’ll see a near perfect repeat of 2022, with UTRC coming out on top and Thames in silver medal position, but I’d really like to see City of Oxford put themselves in the mix to unseat some of the big dogs here, especially those who may get a little too comfortable on familiar water. It’s all to play for, and it’ll certainly make for some exciting racing on Sunday.“
JRN prediction:
- Upper Thames Rowing Club
- Thames Rowing Club
- City of Oxford Rowing Club
Read Lara’s full preview here.
Open Championship Coxless Fours
“As you have seen, this is a high-calibre field, and that’s without even mentioning the strong Brookes second four entered here, as well as another quality Thames boat and a decent UL alumni entry from Tyrian Club. That being said, I think the top spot will be a dogfight between Oxford University Boat Club, Leander Club (L), and Oxford Brookes University Boat Club (E). I’m going to go out on a limb and predict Oxford for the win, but I think Brookes will pip Leander for second.”
JRN prediction:
- Oxford University Boat Club
- Oxford Brookes University Boat Club (E)
- Leander Club
Read Five Man’s full preview here.
Women’s Championship Coxless Fours
“The last time this event took place, the podium places in this category were taken by Leander, Thames, and Oxford Brookes; some may argue the possibility of this happening again. However, this year’s Imperial / Leander / Marlow composite crew looks immediately poised to challenge for the top spot, leveraging their Olympic pedigree. I believe Leander’s depth across its two entries suggests they are favourites to fill the remaining podium places, though Thames Rowing Club and London Rowing Club cannot be underestimated on their own stretch in what promises to be a fiercely competitive race.”
JRN prediction:
- Imperial/Leander/Marlow composite
- Leander Club
- Leander Club
Read Darcie’s full preview here.
Open Junior Coxless Fours
“Although this category is packed, I think the top spot will be hard to prise from St Paul’s School Boat Club. With their depth in the squad and knowledge of the river, it will be tricky to overcome this richly talented crew. Closely following will probably be Radley College Boat Club. Although their crew seems young, their individual performances are noticeable, and they have usually overperformed in this category. Following them will be King’s College Boat Club.”
JRN prediction:
- St Paul’s School Boat Club
- Radley College Boat Club
- King’s College School Boat Club
Read King of Spring’s full preview here.
Women’s Junior Coxless Fours
With Headington, Henley, LEH, Hinksey Sculling School, and more all bringing well-prepared, hopeful crews to the Tideway, the junior women’s coxless fours event promises to be a highly competitive and exciting race. Each of these clubs has a distinct character that will influence their performance during the early days of the 24/25 season, and with that, all will be looking to make a statement as the season progresses. I believe Headington will walk away with the win, followed closely by either Hinksey or Henley. Nevertheless, the 6.8k race will be able to whittle out the winner from this tight group of contenders.
JRN prediction:
- Headington Rye School Boat Club
- Hinksey Sculling School
- Henley Rowing Club
Read OarCraft’s full preview here.
Women’s Junior Coxless Fours
With Headington, Henley, LEH, Hinksey Sculling School, and more all bringing well-prepared, hopeful crews to the Tideway, the junior women’s coxless fours event promises to be a highly competitive and exciting race. Each of these clubs has a distinct character that will influence their performance during the early days of the 24/25 season, and with that, all will be looking to make a statement as the season progresses. I believe Headington will walk away with the win, followed closely by either Hinksey or Henley. Nevertheless, the 6.8k race will be able to whittle out the winner from this tight group of contenders.
JRN prediction:
- Headington Rye School Boat Club
- Hinksey Sculling School
- Henley Rowing Club
Read OarCraft’s full preview here.
Open Academic Coxless Fours
When it comes to taking home the silverware it is hard to look past University of London, with its combination of being a big program with lots of entries and the home field advantage. Wild card winner and likely second place goes to Oxford University and their fresh coaching team. I would really like to
see a good fight between Imperial College (A) and Nottingham (D) for the third-place spot.
JRN prediction:
- University of London Boat Club
- Oxford University
- Imperial College (A)
Read Daniel’s full preview here.
Women’s Academic Coxless Fours
“With the event cancellation last year and so much progression shown from all of these clubs towards the end of last season, it’s hard to make too confident a prediction. ULBC are likely to be tough to beat given their consistent standard of performance, however I would like to see if Bristol University can ride the wave of last season to start strong, and see where they can land themselves in the standings.“
JRN prediction:
- University of London Boat Club
- Bristol University Boat Club
- Cambridge University Boat Club
Read Meg’s full preview here.
Open Club Coxless Fours
“The club open coxless fours is sure to be an incredible race in which all entered crews will put on a display of class rowing. However, in this stacked category, I believe Thames Rowing Club ‘A’ is the most likely crew to come out on top, with London Rowing Club and Marlow Rowing Club close behind. This race is sure to be a demonstration of rowing at the highest calibre, and it will be worth watching this Sunday.“
JRN prediction:
- Thames Rowing Club (A)
- London Rowing Club
- Marlow Rowing Club
Read Dom’s full preview here.
Women’s Club Coxless Fours
“Based on previous performance and Tideway experience, I anticipate Thames Rowing Club’s win. It will be closely followed by London Rowing Club and Vesta Rowing Club, which also have the crucial expertise to navigate the course to their advantage. Yet, other crews should not be dismissed on this account, as it remains to be seen who may appear as an underdog and surprise us all on Sunday.“
JRN prediction:
- Thames Rowing Club
- London Rowing Club
- Vesta Rowing Club
Read The Bow Seat Cox’s full preview here.
Open Championship Coxed Fours
“Given that their main rivals Oxford Brookes are not attending, it is hard to look past Leander Club winning this event. These two clubs have been far ahead of the rest, so I cannot see any other crew overturning Leander. Other placings will be much closer, but I think Oxford University will take second and UL and London RC will fight it out for third.”
JRN prediction:
- Leander Club
- Oxford University Boat Club
- University of London Boat Club
Read SevenSeatIsBest’s full preview here.
Women’s Championship Coxed Fours
It is set up to be an excellent battle between Oxford Brookes and Leander for the win here, and I think Brookes may just take the spoils. However, it would be foolish to count out the outside challenges from Thames and Durham, and Oxford University and University of London will also certainly be in the mix.
JRN prediction:
- Oxford Brookes University Boat club
- Leander Club
- Thames Rowing Club
Read I Row’s full preview here.
Open Junior Coxed Fours
“Both of the St Paul’s School Boat Club 4+s should enjoy good races this weekend, with St Paul’s School ‘B’ most likely taking the win. I expect Radley College Boat Club and Eton College Boat Club will also be in the running for finishes near the top. Kew House School Boat Club will also have the advantage of racing on their home waters, and Hampton School Boat Club has shown great sweeping strength in the past.“
JRN prediction:
- St Paul’s School Boat Club (B)
- Radley College Boat Club
- Eton College Boat Club
Read Joseph’s full preview here.
Women’s Junior Coxed Fours
“With all this mind, it seems that Henley Rowing Club are sure to emerge victorious and complete their third victory in this category. However, it is impossible to determine for sure who will win as the tideway is extremely unpredictable. It ultimately comes down to who can manage the conditions best on the day. Although Henley, Headington, and Surbiton are strong clubs, I wouldn’t discount the likes of Wallingford Rowing Club or Godolphin and Latymer School Boat Club. As crews enter the 24/25 season, exciting racing is sure to occur, and I look forward to seeing the results.”
JRN prediction:
- Henley Rowing Club
- Headington Rye School Boat Club
- Surbiton High School Boat Club
Read RowMantic’s full preview here.
Open Academic Coxed Fours
With this race stacked with highly competitive and reputable boat clubs, this race will demand crews to produce excellent times in order to claim the top spot. With Bristol, Cambridge, London and Southampton all entering multiple boats they’ve given themselves the best chance at being able to do this. However, Cambridge come into this race with a clear ambition to dominate the competition ahead of the boat race to happen in April next year and spook their Oxford rivals. It will take some fierce and powerful rowing to threaten Cambridge’s game plan.
JRN prediction:
- Cambridge University Boat Club
- Bristol University Boat Club
- University of London Boat club
Read Ryan’s full preview here.
Women’s Academic Coxed Fours
It is very difficult to look past Durham. On paper, they would appear to have the fastest crew by a margin. However, I do expect them to be challenged by UL and possibly the crews from Oxford and Cambridge. Behind that, the field looks very even and placings could be decided by a matter of seconds.
JRN prediction:
- Durham University Boat Club
- University of London Boat Club
- Oxford University Boat Club
Read Steady Steight’s full preview here.
Open Club Coxed Fours
“Thames are a strong crew who get results year after year, but I want to give the win to London. Thames no doubt will take home second, followed closely by Marlow. Vesta just miss the top three with a fourth place, but have a time that leaves them close enough to the win to be able to draw in the gap before Henley. We see Thames’ second crew take fifth, with Upper Thames and then Vesta’s second crew following behind.“
JRN prediction:
- London Rowing Club
- Thames Rowing club
- Marlow Rowing Club
Read Sam’s full preview here.
Women’s Club Coxed Fours
“For me, the battle for the win in this category will be between Thames Rowing Club and London Rowing Club. However, last season demonstrated that the depth of Thames’s women’s squad was untouchable, so I suspect they will retake the win.“
JRN prediction:
- Thames Rowing Club
- London Rowing club
- Nottingham Rowing Club
Read Meg’s full preview here.
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