Update: Since this preview has been written, Hampton Small Boats Head has been cancelled.
Hosted by the Hampton School Boat Club, this Saturday, almost 700 crews take on the 3000-metre course along the Thames, awaiting stormy competition. With 23 entries, there should be an entertaining display of rowing as the quadruple sculls are presented with an opportunity to test their speed.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
Surbiton High School Boat Club is a fairly young boat club, however in recent years, they have made their mark at top events such as Henley Royal Regatta, National Schools’ Regatta, and GB Trials. Looking back to the start of the year, Surbiton High School Boat Club crews in the Women’s Junior 15 coxed quadruple and octuple sculls produced an impressive set of results at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head and have picked up medals at various events since. Representing a friendly and committed club with a strong team of coaches, these three crews are surely in line to have a successful weekend.
Sir William Perkin’s School Rowing Club
In recent years, Sir William Perkin’s School Rowing Club has produced a number of Team GB athletes who once made their way through the pathway offered at the Thameside rowing club. This group of athletes have already made their mark in schoolgirl rowing, with several medals at national and regional events in their previous season, cementing them in line for the first-place position. The two quads certainly will be among the fastest crews – delivering a smooth row to victory is up to them.
Walton Rowing Club
Although there is only one quad entered into this event from Walton Rowing Club, I am sure that they have the potential to set the fastest time. The junior squads of the club proved their success at Pairs Head earlier this season with a respectable set of results, which may give a small look ahead to the prospective performances on Saturday – this coxless quad will surely be giving it their all to fight their way to a podium finish.
King’s Ely Boat Club
This well-established boat club are frequent visitors to the Ball Cup, National School’s Regatta, and Henley Royal Regatta with their senior squads, showing that these rowers have developed experience of racing against tough competition. Although visitors to the Thames, it is evident that this crew will be the ones to keep an eye on, potentially dominating the competition.
Prediction
After reviewing this list of crews, it looks like the Thames should be set alight on Saturday as several impressive rowers and clubs make up the starting order. I predict that Sir William Perkin’s School Rowing Club will take the top step of the podium, narrowly followed by Surbiton High School, Walton Rowing Club and King’s Ely Boat Club.
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