Regatta season is finally here! After months of Head Races and winter training, crews can now switch their focus to summer racing. The Junior Sculling Regatta is one of the first opportunities crews will have to race side by side this season. Therefore, it is a popular event and the WJ16 double is no exception with ten crews entered to race.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Without the likes of Henley and Surbiton entered, Maidenhead have a good chance of taking victory this weekend. At last year’s race, both their J15 quad and double made it into the A Final, coming sixth and fourth respectively. Maidenhead have been hugely successful in recent years with their junior programs and I expect this double to be no exception.
Stratford Upon Avon Boat Club
Stratford Upon Avon are perhaps a lesser well-known name in the rowing world, but they have had some good results recently. Last year, their J15 quad won the B Final at this regatta and back in September, their J16 doubles placed second and fifth. With not much racing since then, it will be interesting to see where they are at on Monday.
Rob Roy Boat Club
Rob Roy are known for their speed in small boats. They have consistently done well in small boats at many races in the past. Their double entered into the Junior Sculling Regatta is likely to be the same one that raced for the Eastern Region at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta and placed third in their heat, only four seconds off the winners. If they can replicate that this weekend over 2000m, they have a good chance of taking the win.
South African Schools Rowing Union
The South African Schools Rowing Union will be an unknown quantity when they race on Monday, so they could potentially cause lots of upsets. What we do know about them is that they are selected almost like a national squad so their double is likely to be pretty fast.
Prediction
I think this race will be too tight to call. There are so many unknown quantities that make it difficult to predict. If the South African Schools Rowing Union bring a strong crew, then they will probably take the win. Otherwise I think it is between Maidenhead or Rob Roy with Rob Roy maybe just having the edge. We are definitely in for some exciting racing.
Steady Steight
About The Author
