A massive 43 scullers are taking to Kingston’s waters to contest this headship in a truly stacked field over a 5.2km course that, for many, will serve as crucial preparation ahead of U19 trials next week. Though conditions look favourable – an invaluable advantage in such a delicate boat – the islands and bridges dotted throughout the course create an additional challenge of steering, a unique advantage for some competitors who started their junior careers in Kingston and now return as opposition.
Tideway Scullers School
Familiar to some as one of Lea Rowing Club’s top scullers, Kerbiriou is setting off first in the colours of Tideway Scullers, having moved upriver following an international stint in the single with a silver medal at Coupe de la Jeunesse. One of many GB vests in the field, Kerbiriou is the only sculler to have raced a single (to great success) internationally, and her racing will be further strengthened by Tideway’s commitment to training in small boats, harvesting podium finishes in both the women’s single and double at the National Schools’ Regatta in the summer, where Kerbiriou herself stroked a tenacious Lea quad to fourth. Returning from Tideway’s semifinalist Henley Royal Regatta quad is J17 Kate Cohalan, starting further down the order but with respectable racing experience that will lend her a competitive edge in a threatening field.
Sir William Perkins’s School
Each of Perkins’ four singles are opponents to watch out for, but surely none more so than Emily Nicholas and Annabelle Thornton. Both Nicholas and Thornton boast two international vests each – from the pair at the GB France fixture in 2023, and a step up to the U19 World Rowing Championships this past summer – as just a J16, Nicholas came away with silver in GB’s top boat, the coxless four. While the international stage shows their sweeping chops, both athletes are a staple of Perkins’ top quad, placing tenth at the Schools’ Head 2024 and fourth at Metropolitan Regatta – they have also seen success in small boats, with both medalling in doubles at the National Schools’ Regatta 2024. Joining Nicholas and Thornton on the water are Daniya Al Qahef, formerly of Maidenhead Rowing Club and Maddie MacGregor, who took on the bow seat of Perkins’ quad last year. Perkins’ rowers benefit from a mixture of boat classes throughout the season – there is little doubt they’ll adapt well to the challenges of the single.
Surbiton High School
Ever impressive in their depth, Surbiton have a huge nine singles entered, notably featuring an U19 World Rowing Championships silver medallist in Emily Shaw, and two ex-Kingston rowers in Amy O’Brien and Sasha Khan. Experience on this tricky course is not an asset to be underestimated, and O’Brien and Khan’s knowledge of the stretch will be a huge advantage – especially as the two start next to each other, so no doubt will be pushing each other on throughout the race. Having been through the U19 trials process twice already, Shaw is well-prepared for a 5k in the single and, as another veteran of the women’s four at the U19 World Rowing Championships in August, should be noted for her raw speed. These three have a significant advantage just in their pure talent. However, none of Surbiton’s nine entries are to be counted out.
Shiplake College
Shiplake rivals Surbiton’s entries with seven singles, in a crop that also features two scullers familiar to Kingston’s stretch and one rower fresh from the U19 World Rowing Championships. Felicity Hudson moved to Shiplake College from Kingston RC just this year, so the course will be stapled in her mind, while ex-Kingston rower Katie Proudlove has an extra year under her belt at the college, and a well-drilled rhythm having stroked the top eight to a fourth-placed finish at National Schools’ Regatta. Amelia Westbrook was not only a central part of Shiplake’s top eight last year but also sat in the six-seat of GB’s junior women’s eight at the U19 World Rowing Championships. She is surely a powerhouse who will lay formidable speed down the 5k stretch. Though typically more of a looming threat in their ever-competitive quads and eights, it is clear that Shiplake have real quality to bring to the single as well.
Other entries:
Another native to this stretch, Kingston Grammar School have three entries into this category, including Sophie Kelly, a bronze medallist from the National Schools’ Regatta in J16 coxed fours. Molesey are never to be underestimated and also make an appearance via Heidi Hemming, who stroked their top quad last year and is a frequent challenger to many of the names in this category
Predictions:
It’s near impossible to exaggerate just how competitive this field could be, with bounds of international experience and high-pedigree clubs boating their finest scullers in a massive field. Indeed, anything could happen, especially on such a tricky course, but I’d back Jess Kerbiriou, Emily Nicholas, and one of the Shiplake scullers to complete a top three.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
