Racing returns to the Tideway this weekend with the springtime, annual Hammersmith Head, which sees over 300 quads, eights, and fours take on the approximately 4500m course from Chiswick Bridge to Hammersmith Bridge. With nine Junior 16 women’s eights in attendance, racing will be far from dull.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
This group of young rowers at Surbiton High School are emerging as a talented bunch, proven by an impressive set of past results. Appearances at the National Schools’ Regatta and JIRR have earned them medals in various events, as well as solid performances at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head, where they excelled in the Junior 15 women’s octuples and quads. In more recent competitions, Surbiton have secured the win in the Junior 16 women’s quads and eights at Teddington Head, and they took the third-place spot at Quintin Head, against similar competitors that they will be facing this weekend. Clearly, these athletes will be feeling confident heading into the upcoming event.
Godolphin & Latymer School Boat Club
Finishing just one place ahead of Surbiton at Quintin Head, Godolphin & Latymer seem to be close and competitive rivals. This club have impressed on multiple stages of competition in recent seasons, including Henley Women’s Regatta, and with their Junior 16 squad, Godolphin & Latymer demonstrated their skills and hard work with successful finishes at Wallingford Regatta and the National Schools’ Regatta. I predict, with high hopes, that this crew will once again finish among the upcoming and previously mentioned crews in the timing sheets, and they have true potential to take the top step of the podium.
Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club
Following a promising set of results from the prior season and multiple solid finishes at Kingston Small Boats Head against some of the same rivals, Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club has proven itself to be a potential winner for this weekend’s event. This club has produced GB trialists and national champions, whom the rowers in this boat will follow in the footsteps of, and are proof of the results that can be achieved from the school’s intense training programme. Therefore, the rowers of Lady Eleanor Holles are high on my list of crews to watch at Hammersmith and for the rest of the season.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing Club makes up the reigning champion crew of the Junior 15 women’s eights at National Schools’ Regatta, instantly demonstrating their potential to deliver the winning row. Often spotted along their Thames stretch, Henley contributes regularly to the pool of GB prospects, with many of their athletes training rigorously in this boat class. Alongside their national successes, these rowers have won the quadruple sculls category at their home race, Henley Sculls, and finished third at the British Rowing Junior Championships in the Junior 15 women’s quads. Although these performances have been in sculling boats, there is no doubt when saying that Henley will be on my radar throughout this race.
Prediction
After closely reviewing the formerly described crews and clubs, I can confidently predict Surbiton High School Boat Club as my winner, with the eager Godolphin & Latymer School Boat Club on their tail.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
