73 entries, 48 different clubs. As the most entered event for Wednesday’s racing, J15 quads never fail to produce incredibly close racing and top class junior crews. As the first of the spring sun breaks out, the Junior Sculling Head’s unusual format will give the quads their first taste of what the upcoming regatta season has in store. Four kilometres of racing split up into two halves allows the crews to really test their summer speed, and is a perfect introduction to what the next four months have in store.
Kingston Rowing Club
Nine days off the back of a win at their home head by eight seconds, Kingston Rowing Club goes into the Sculling Head as one of the crews to beat. With every year that passes, Kingston’s junior crews seem to get faster and faster; could this crew be the one to cap that trend with a win?
Wallingford Rowing Club
A club that frequently features at the top end of junior sculling, Wallingford Rowing Club have entered two crews, both of which will look to make an impact and set the tone for the season. The cancellation of their home head back in September must have been disappointing, but I imagine it will only make them more eager to show their speed. Wallingford finished sixth in this event last year, a strong result out of a large field, but these crews will have their eyes set on improving that.
Henley Rowing Club
Another club who have had an uncertain start to the season due to cancelled races, but one thing that is certain is the pedigree that Henley produce in junior sculling. Last year in the equivalent J14 category of the Junior Sculling Head this crew came second; a year on, and a win at the British Junior Rowing Championships under their belt, Henley will hope to better their previous Sculling Head result.
George Watson’s College Rowing Club
Last year’s winners of the J14 category by a comfortable 19 seconds, this crew will look to match that result this year. At the British Junior Rowing Championship in 2024 George Watson’s College Rowing Club finished sixth. With all five of the higher finishing crews there in the draw for Wednesday’s head, this is the perfect opportunity for this crew to show their improvement.
Predictions
I’d expect Henley Rowing Club in first: they never fail to put out top tier junior crews and I reckon this year is no different. Second will likely go to Kingston Rowing Club, fresh from a win at their home head, they’ll will be pushing for the top spot. This leaves George Watsons College Rowing Club chasing them in third: could it be the second Sculling Head victory in a row for this crew?
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