The 2023/2024 head racing season is now underway, and Henley Sculls is back for another year. Recent nationwide flooding, alongside the infamous Henley headwind, ensures all crews will be tested by the conditions. At this early stage in the head season, all clubs involved will be wanting to indicate their intentions for the season ahead, and mark themselves as the ones to watch. A relatively large entry of 10 WJ16 coxless quads will race the 3000 metre upstream course, and I am certain the results will display an extremely tight set of times.
Henley Rowing Club
Henley Rowing Club have had an insatiable appetite for success over numerous years. The junior squad, overseen by head coach Leon Redman, are synonymous with victory, and they will be eager to demonstrate the strength and depth within their squad at Henley Sculls. Their two crews are stroked by Butterworth and Hughes who both featured in the WJ15 1st 8+ at National Schools’ Regatta 2023, where they came away with a silver medal. In addition, they came away with silver in both the WJ15 4x+ and WJ15 8x+ at the Junior Sculling Head 2023, demonstrating the power in both sweep and sculling disciplines at Henley RC. With two crews, and therefore twice the chance of dominance, I am under the firm impression that Henley RC are the one to beat.
Avon County Rowing Club
Avon County RC boasts some impressive results from last year, which they will be hoping to build upon this season. The crew features Davidson, who paired up with Greenwell to place 11th, out of 63 strong women’s J15 doubles at the British Rowing Junior Championships 2023. Greenwell is currently the National Junior Indoor Rowing Champion, as well as holding a Concept2 British record. The Avon Country WJ15 quad placed 41st at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Regatta 2023, and had representation from Greenwell again in the WJ14 single sculls at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, where she won the B final. With some magnificent individual results, I believe the Avon crew shows promise for regional and national success this season. I think they will put down some questions for Henley to respond to.
Canford School Boat Club
Canford School have produced some impressive results on their boys’ programme, including a National School’s medal in the champ coxless fours, as well as appearing at Schools’ Head. Canford will be trying to replicate this success on the women’s side, and after a C-final finish at NSR 2023, they will be aiming to build upon the foundations formed last season. Canford’s programme has a strong core across all age groups, and with the experience gained over the last year, they will be the ones to watch looking ahead.
Predictions
I’m predicting Henley to demonstrate their dominance in this event and take the first and second positions. I think the strength behind the Avon County crew will result in a third place finish for them, and Canford School Boat club finishing fourth.
About The Author
