The turn of the season brings longer days, warmer water sessions and us back to our favourite 2000m stretch of the river – Dorney Lake, Eton. As May half term looms on the corner for many senior rowers exams do too. But, more importantly (!) National Schools’ 2023 swift approaches. Often seen as THE junior regatta of the season, every athlete wants a medal to keep in the prize cabinet once they’ve left the junior rowing scene, making this by far once of the most exciting regattas of the year. With the new two day format allowing for heats and repecharges, athletes and spectators alike are promised three days of golden racing.
Tideway Scullers’ School
While sculling is in the name, Tideway Scullers’ have oft tried their hand at sweep oar racing and succeeded in their efforts. After an Easter training camp that took them to the Netherlands they made their way to Ghent International Spring Regatta to compete over the weekend. They competed in the W4- where they placed sixth after racing against Nereus and other international crews. Their U19 4- came first against competition from home, Pangbourne. Their NSR 4+ is made from a selection of crew members from both boats which holds this four in good stead. While we can’t be sure it’s the same crew, at Wallingford Regatta TSS placed second, and seeing as Wallingford is often used to test the waters for NSR, this only looks good for TSS.
Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club
Almost exactly a year ago (minus a week) we saw SUABC finish second at NSR, in the WJ16 4+ boat class, with exactly the same crew who are racing this year. The boat order has been switched so that bow and three have swapped, a year’s worth of training together inevitably creates a symbiotic-esque relationship between the crew, both on and off the water. The SUA crew will be one to watch out for in terms of technique and timing since they’re sure to have refined the style with which they combat these 2000m races. Furthermore, their stern pair – Maddie Hall and Kate Richardson – have been rowing together since J15, traversing the junior circuit in a double from Wallingford LDS to Henley LDS, with successes all over.
St Paul’s Girls’ School Boat Club
Having entered their 1st IV in the 4- category, the strength of their second IV shows the squad depth of SPGSBC. Containing 2022 NSR medalists, 2021 Brit Champs winners, GB trailists, Henley Womens’ Finalists and Henley Royal Prince Philip competitors, this crew is stacked with medals and will surely be seeking more. Although racing in the championship category as a boat who are 75% J17s may prove tricky, the crew has more than enough experience to sit proudly at the serious table.
Other Entries
The entries for the Championship Coxed Four are far and wide, with many lesser-known crews rounding the field up to 23 entries in total. One crew that it does seem worth to mention are St Edwards’ who have A finalists from the Championship Eight on-board. Don’t let them catch you unawares!
Predictions
With a boat class so big it’s tricky to make concrete predictions because we’re only six weeks into regatta season and the National Schools’ Regatta is a often a starting point leading to HWR or HRR for many of these senior crews. However it seems to be between the TSS crew and the girls from Stratford-Upon-Avon to give us an intense A final and winner of the pack!
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