The National Schools’ Regatta is the race that all the clubs and schools aim for and the one that means the most to win. Commonly seen as the warm up race for Henley Royal Regatta for senior athletes, it is a great opportunity for J16 crews to make their mark on proceedings and lay down a barometer of where we expect them to be in years to come. J16 is a peculiar year; athletes are bridging the gap between nascence in rowing and becoming part of the established order. These boats will have had minimal experience at national level, which should make for some gripping racing.
Kew House School Boat Club O – (KHS Tamlyn) – (91):
Kew House School Boat Club are relatively new on the scene, based out of Quintin Boat Club. With a couple of wins to their name at smaller regional regattas, this outfit might just be the golden ticket to stardom for Kew – every boat club in its infancy needs a breakthrough crew to put it on the map. Can their J16 four be that catalyst for ascendancy?
Eton College Boat Club J – (ETN Spier-Perez) – (92):
Eton College Boat Club are an interesting one; their reputation precedes them but the most recent crop of J16 athletes have not exploded onto the scene quite like their predecessors. There are various rumours circulating as to why but Eton will be determined to show that any whispers of their decline have been greatly exaggerated.
1863 Club F – (TES Viiello Juola) – (86):
London Oratory School, also known as 1863 Boat Club since the acrimonious nature of LOS’ departure from junior rowing, are a great club to see on the roster. With a rich history of a schooling institution with success in sport, it is a welcome sight to have witnessed their fightback into the mainstream rowing order. Don’t be at all surprised to see them conjure up the spirit of insurgency to push for a final placing.
Other Crews:
There are some other significant crews such as Hinksey Sculling School O – (HIN Austin-Baker) – (90), who announced themselves to the world as genuine heavyweights at Henley Royal Regatta 2021. Radley College Boat Club A – (RAD Elworthy) – (94), who are regulars at the apex of junior rowing and will be out to mix it with the very best. Dulwich College Boat Club – (DUL Da Costa Sherwood) – (97), who represent a sleeping giant – continually name-checked but rarely the cause of passion from our pen. Can they turn the tide this weekend?
My Predictions are:
- 1863 Club F – (TES Viiello Juola) – (86)
- Hinskey Rowing Club O – (HIN Austin-Baker) – (90)
- Kew House School Boat Club O – (KHS Tamlyn) – (91)
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