With the Tideway Head Race season in full swing, this weekend’s race of Hampton Head will be an excellent opportunity for clubs and to be able to establish themselves as the crew to beat going into events like Schools’ Head and the National Schools’ Regatta later this season. With so many boat classes eligible for entry, it will provide the perfect time for clubs and crews to test their speed against their competitors.
Junior 15 Women’s Coxed Quads
With so many clubs entering into this boat class this weekend it is difficult to predict who will come out as the top dog especially as there have been many closely matched crews at recent events. I expect Surbiton High School Boat Club, and Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club to be challenging for the top spot.
Junior 16 Women’s Eights
After putting in a solid performance last weekend at Quintin Head, Surbiton finished 1st just over 10 seconds ahead of the second-placed crew and only 4 seconds behind their WJ18 counterpart. Racing them is Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club who will look to dominate on their home stretch. Having placed 4th at Quintin they look to be strong opposition to the Surbiton eight, but will likely take second place this weekend.
Junior 18 Women’s Eights
After their recent performance at Quintin Head, the crowd favourites for taking the win and currently unmatched by their competitors is the athletes from Henley RC. Where this event looks more unpredictable is how the rest of the results will play out, however, if this were to be a gambling game, as it so often is, Surbiton High School will be challenging this top spot as their programme continues to grow from strength to strength.
Junior 18 Women’s Quad
With a large entry of 18 boats into the J18 Women’s quad category, many of whom are known to be from some of the most competitive junior programmes in the country, it will be interesting to see how they compare. I predict Henley RC to take the win after their dominant performances so far this season. They are likely to be followed by Tideway Scullers School and Kingston Grammar School who both have athletes in their programme with the potential of challenging these Henley girls for the top spot.
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