Hampton Fours and Eights Head is an approximately 3000m course downstream from Sunbury Lock and so all competitors will have to negotiate two bends throughout the race. The W J16 8+ category has a range of different clubs entered with the likes of Putney High School Rowing Club, Surbiton High School Boat Club, Emanuel School Boat Club, Great Marlow School Boat Club, Wimbledon High School Boat Club, Bedford Girls School Rowing Club and Barn Elms Rowing Club entered to race.
Putney High School Rowing Club
This boat club has put in some strong performances in the W J16 8+ category so far this season. This started with a 4th place position at Wallingford Head of the River in November but this placed them with a time that finished 20 seconds after the 3rd ranked crew of Wallingford Rowing Club. However, there was a good development over December and January as they managed to secure 3rd place at Quintin Head finishing 8 seconds off of the Lady Eleanor Holles crew.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
This J16 squad had some strong performances last year in the eights events. The W J15 8+ managed to achieve a first place in the B Final at National Schools’ last year but by time would have been placed in a 4th place position in the A Final. It will be interesting to see whether these athletes have continued to develop throughout the winter and whether they can replicate this success.
Emanuel School Boat Club
This age group saw some good successes last year with a win in the C Final of National Schools’ Regatta that placed them 3rd overall by time. So far in the fore front of this year this club has accomplished a 5th place at Quintin Head so it will be interesting to see whether this crew will benefit from the slightly shorter course in this event at Hampton Head this coming Saturday.
We expect to see the likes of Putney High School Rowing Club, Surbiton High School Boat Club and Emanuel School Boat Club to be battling for the top places in this W J16 8+ category. However, the ranking among this crews will ultimately be down to the steering abilities of the coxswain as well as the athletes’ performance on the day of the event.
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