Kingston Head marks the final big race before the School’s Head of the River Race for these talented junior crews. With 14 crews entered into this category, we may be in for an interesting contest between the heavyweights of British Rowing, including Hampton School, Radley College and Bedford School. What seems to be most of the schools’ second eights this weekend will provide interesting racing as we gear up for the Schools’ Head of the River.
Radley College Boat Club
Radley College Boat Club are currently in a new era of their program. With a leadership change, onlookers will be keen to see if the new coaching style can rectify Radley’s usual underperformance at the Schools’ Head of the River. Hopefully, the results from this weekend may provide a small indication of this. With several impressive solo and crew performances this year, the Radley second eight have proven to be a quick crew. With impressive results at Quintin Head, where they beat fellow competitors in this category, King’s College, as well as sending several athletes to GB trials in November and February. Radley College BC also had a dominant Junior 16 age group in 2024, winning at the National Schools’ Regatta in the A boat category, which will no doubt be a useful talent to have in their eight. It is safe to say that Radley College will be in contention to take home the gold this weekend.
Hampton School Boat Club
Hampton School Boat Club has made something of a comeback in recent years. With not only impressive performances at Eton Invitational Head earlier this year, they are also in contention for a top spot. On the back of a fifth-place position at Hammersmith Head in the Junior 18 category and being the top-ranked second-eight at the event, they will definitely have heaps of confidence coming in. This victory over last year’s second-eight National Schools’ Regatta champions (and one of the favourites at this year’s Schools’ Head of the River), St Paul’s School Boat Club will also push this eight on to get this win before the 25 March. On top of this, Hampton also had a very impressive Junior 16 A crew last year. After narrowingly missing out by half a length on a bronze medal at the National Schools’ Regatta, these athletes will be eager to flip this result and take the win this weekend in preparation for the School’s Head.
King’s College School Boat Club
The third crew that could be knocking on the door of a gold medal in this category is the King’s College School Boat Club. This crew came ninth in the Junior 18 category at Hammersmith Head, placing them as the third-ranked second eight on the day. After narrowingly losing to Hampton School BC and St Paul’s School BC, King’s College School BC are in a position to not only medal this weekend but also compete at the Schools’ Head of the River Race. After a new change in the program, King’s has been making big steps in establishing themselves as a heavyweight of junior rowing. On the back of their impressive bronze in the Junior 16 A category at National Schools’ Regatta, this second eight will be looking to build on their preparations with a win at the School’s Head.
Notable Mentions
Some crews may surprise us on the day. Bedford School Boat Club, for example, narrowly lost to Radley College BC at Quintin Head but beat them at Hammersmith Head a few weeks later. Their rise is undoubtedly one to watch as the season progresses. There are also a few sculling programs that have entered themselves into the category with the hopes of winning at the Schools’ Head of the River or the Head of the River Race. Tideway Scullers School, whose women’s programme had a great win at the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race last weekend, may also be packing a punch.
Predictions
Although this category is packed, I think that Hampton School BC’s are good bets for the top spot. With the depth in their squad, it would be hard to overcome this crew. Closely following them, I would put Radley College BC. Although their crew seems young, their individual performances are noticeable, and they have usually overperformed in this category. Following them, I would say that King’s College Boat Club and Bedford School will be quick to fight for their spot on the podium.
- Hampton School Boat Club
- Radley College Boat Club
- King’s College School Boat Club
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