National Schools’ Regatta signifies the second major event in the iconic ‘triple’ of junior rowing, alongside March’s Schools’ Head of the River and the ever-looming Henley Royal Regatta. Alongside this historic triad of races, the 2024 season has given rise to another notable trio in the niche of junior women’s eights – the three-way alliterative rivalry of Headington, Henley, and Hinksey’s top eights, who will meet at Dorney for the title of National Champions, challenged by head-season force Shiplake‘s own top eight. We’ve seen old crews find new speed over the past winter months, generating serious heat that will surely come to a head over the 2km of Eton Dorney.
Headington School
Headington took the championship last year with a massive 11-second victory over, to name but a few, returning competitors Surbiton High School and Henley Rowing Club. Every thing this crew touch seems to turn to gold, with victories this season including Schools’ Head of the River and Women’s Eights’ Head of the River. However, their margins of victory have been progressively narrowing with newly-strengthened crews nipping at their well-drilled tails, shaving Headington’s triumphs to a matter of just a few seconds over the 7km Tideway course. Throughout this year, Headington have posted three high-performing eights, with their B boat often beating out A crews from other clubs in major races – this depth goes unmatched by other crews and effectively guarantees that any top boat posted by Headington will be a serious threat on any stage.
Henley Rowing Club
Always a force to be reckoned with, Henley posted an outstanding head season in their championship eight last year, however seemed to fall slightly short once they met their competitors side-by-side in regatta formats, eventually taking third in this event last year and being knocked out by the aforementioned Headington at Henley Royal Regatta 2023. However, unlike Headington, last year’s eight was not the top boat that their results would have suggested – rather second to the women’s championship quad. This season has seen Henley just miss the same stunning heights as last year, however they are certainly not to be discounted: this eight is back with a new consistency to their performance not seen in recent years, and the strength of their second eight (who won their own event at Schools’ Head) suggests significant depth in their squad that will surely carry them from strength to strength over the summer. This boat took a five second victory at the recent Wallingford Regatta, an injection of confidence that we’ll expect to see elevate their performance at the National Schools’.
Hinksey Sculling School
The last in this rivalry, and perhaps least established in this event, Hinksey have truly gone from strength to strength this year and should by no means be considered underdogs to their fiercest competition mentioned above. Champions of the coxless four at last year’s race, this Oxford-based club have been mainstays of the eight this year and forged a meteoric rise to the top of this event. In major races this season they’ve been bridesmaids to other big names in this event: second to Headington at WeHORR and third at SHORR just weeks later, followed by a second-placed finish at Wallingford Regatta behind Henley (albeit with a weakened crew, lacking stroke seat and U19 World Champion Martha Shepherd). Something about this crew tells me their time is just coming – there is no better stage than the National Schools’ to finally best the forces of Headington and Henley.
Shiplake College
Like Henley, Shiplake have made the shift from a quad-focused campaign to a successful season in the eight, with podium finishes at WeHORR, Quintin Head, and Schools’ Head. National Schools’ will be their first appearance in the eight at a regatta this season, so it’s difficult to tell how they’ve taken the seasonal transition – based off their consistency through the winter and investment in training camps, one can only assume they’ll be approaching regattas with similar ferocity.
Surbiton High School
Surbiton were second to Headington last year and will be looking to replicate this speed once more. After a solid head season, they will have been disappointed to miss out of the ‘A’ final at Wallingford Regatta (albeit they were missing star athlete Emily Shaw to international duty). A medal in 2024 might be beyond their reach, particularly if Henley choose to prioritise the eight over the quad, where Wycliffe are so dominant.
St Edward’s School
St Edward’s have had a solid head season and came third above Headington’s ‘B’ boat at Wallingford Regatta, so will fancy their chances at pushing for a high placing at this race. They were also eighth at the Schools’ Head of the River but only ten seconds back on the top five crews. With a rapidly-improving girl’s program, Teddies are a program to watch out for.
Marlow Rowing Club
Marlow regularly put out a fast eight (a second unit to their girls’ quad) and consistently achieve A-final and top-five finishes and, at the time of writing, have stormed ahead in our poll predicting the winner of this event: perhaps not an accurate prediction, but likely a sign of this club’s willingness to band together for a cause. They were sixth at the Schools’ Head of the River and fifth at Wallingford Regatta, but critically behind Teddies and Headington’s ‘B’ boat.
Prediction
The well-established Headington outfit are so difficult to look past for a victory, but Hinksey have been right on their tails for a while and will be looking to cause an upset. Shiplake have been out of the spotlight on the racing stage after a stunning silver at the Schools’ Head of the River, but I expect them to return as lively contenders. I think we will see Headington, Hinksey, Henley and Shiplake taking the top four places; who will take the win and who will miss out on a medal? All to be decided in what promises to be an epic showdown.
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