The first round of trials for those wishing to compete in British colours this coming summer are now over and we’re beginning to get a sense of how the leaderboard is shaping up. There were some outstanding performances from a range of programmes and athletes, so let’s dive in and pick out the key narratives.
Boys
After a season spent dominating junior women’s rowing, Wycliffe College are now sat atop the rankings on the men’s side thanks to a superb performance from Max Fullman. Younger brother to Ella, who won a range of national titles in the white and purple of Wycliffe, Max has enjoyed a super start to the 24/25 season after competing for Great Britian at the Coupe De La Jeunesse during the summer. He won the boy’s singles by a second over Joe Wellington of The Windsor Boys School, who raced in their Fawley Challenge Cup-winning crew last summer. These two were then a few seconds clear of a trio of athletes from the ever-impressive St Paul’s School. Jonathan Miles – who is only a J17 – finished as the fastest Salopian sculler, clear of the two-times international Alp Karadogan and Henley Royal Regatta winner Patrick Wild. It is concerning for all junior sweep programmes just how much depth Bobby Thatcher’s squad seem to have again.
St Edward School’s Elam Hughes – who won gold as part of the men’s eight at the U19 World Rowing Championships during the summer – was sixth, a few seconds ahead of Edward Galer and Henry Day Clark of Shiplake College (who both return for Shiplake’s 243/24 first eight). Isaac Thornton was the second athlete from The Windsor Boys School to make the top ten in another ominous sign that Mark Wilkinson’s vice-like grip on The Fawley Challenge Cup is in no danger of relenting. Ethan Hunt – who raced as part of Great Marlow School’s quad last year in a campaign that included a title at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head and fourth place at the National Schools’ Regatta – was tenth.
Girls
Performance of the day – and probably the weekend – goes to Catherine Gardner, who put 30 seconds into the women’s field to win her division. The world silver medallist returned to competition in fine style but will be aware that some of her main threats for domestic supremacy – including two-time national champion Briony Wood – were absent. Behind her, Emily Nicholas has put Sir William Perkins back amongst the best programmes in the country after her silver medal at the 2024 U19 World Rowing Championships. She was second, narrowly clear of Shiplake College’s Amelia Westbrook, who also claimed silver in St Catharine’s last summer (albeit in the eight as opposed to the four). Jess Kerbiriou – who raced in the colours of the Tideway Scullers School – was fourth, whilst Headington’s Sophie Haisman was fifth. These five athletes have prior international experience; Kerbiriou won silver at the Coupe De La Jeunesse last summer, whilst Haisman raced alongside Westbrook at the U19 World Rowing Championships.
Headington’s Boston bounce continued, with Isobel Jeans placing sixth. The two scullers were separated by 0.1 seconds, and it would have been fantastic to see them compete together at the Pairs Head of the River, a race they dropped out of after the draw was initially made. Wycliffe – who swept all before them on this circuit during the 23/24 season – had athletes slotted into seventh and eighth as a timely reminder of their enduring quality. Don’t be surprised to see them boating another competitive quad this season. Seren Page of Nottingham Rowing Club was ninth; she raced as part of Nottingham’s top quad last season, placing ninth overall at the National Schools’ Regatta. Rounding out the top ten was Naomi Bell of Wallingford Rowing Club, who competed for Great Britain at the GB-France Match last summer.
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