The National Schools’ Regatta is here! Since 1947, the event has been a well-attended and especially well-loved spectacle for many crews and 2024 will provide us with clearer insight into whether the lack of winter heads have had a lasting impact on summer regattas. One event which I am sure will be exciting is the girl’s junior 15 eights. Acting as the first national level event for these budding rowers, rivalries formed earlier in the season will be tested over 2000m, leaving us with the nail-biting question – who will come out on top?
Henley Rowing Club
What is there left to say about Henley Rowing Club? Always the epitome of technique and power, their junior 15 cohort are always fast. After a relatively underwhelming Hampton Head, where the crew finished fifth, the training put in to remedy this is apparent. They were winners at Wallingford Regatta – by over six seconds – marking them out as frontrunners for the King and Picton Goblet.
Lady Eleanor Holles Boat Club
After starting the season strong with their fourth place at Hampton, Lady Eleanor Holles have left themselves with work to do coming into the National Schools’ Regatta. Their fourth-place finish at Wallingford – which saw them miss out on a nominal podium placement by five seconds – will have given them reason to recommit to the mission of speed discovery. With a large range of dedicated athletes to choose from (apparent from the three age-group eights entered in Bedford Amateur Regatta) this crew will be focused on securing a slot in the A-final.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
It has been so far so good for this boat in 2024. Starting off with a bang at Hampton, missing out on first place by three seconds, this crew have gone onwards and upwards ever since. They switched disciplines to win the Junior Sculling Head in the women’s junior 15 octuple but were absent from Wallingford Regatta. Last year’s crew came third, setting a strong example for their successors. However, with this benchmark in mind, will Surbiton have what it takes to succeed?
Norwich School Boat Club
This club, and indeed this eight, are starting to break through as an underdog. The Junior Sculling Head was where it started to become apparent that this team may be in contention for an A-final, with their fourth-placed finish overall. Yet they haven’t just proved themselves in the time trial setting; they also beat LEH in the final of Bedford Amateur Regatta by a few feet. If this boat remains focused, they will be surely vying for medals.
Wimbledon High School Boat Club
Starting off second in the draw, Wimbledon is another of those crews that you know will perform. A win at Hampton Head in February secured their position as ones to watch and their status as holders will surely imbue this boat with the confidence to reclaim the crown. After losing out to Henley just a couple of weeks ago – by six seconds no less – they’ll be fired up to close that gap.
Second Eight Prediction
If I am to talk about the brilliance of the first eights, I must not forget to include the second crews. Given the strength of their first boat, I believe that Surbiton will take the gold. Headington will follow behind, leaving St Paul’s to accept third place in a tough but rewarding race.
First Eight Prediction
After their previous success earlier this season, I think Henley, Wimbledon and Surbiton are in the battle to take top spot. My prediction is that gold will fall to a photo finish in these crews with Wimbledon just sneaking ahead, just as we saw last year. This leaves Henley to come second and Surbiton to bring home the bronze, but the race itself will be fast paced and unpredictable.
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