Pairs Head of the River never fails to provide a breathtaking competition for the top spot. Being a 4.5k time trial, there is always time for crews to move up and down as the race develops to get the final result. For many of the crews just coming out of summer training it will be their first head race of this season.
Walton Rowing Club
The iconic double from Walton Rowing Club are back for Pairs Head this year, looking to secure a spot on the podium. After their win at the Junior Sculling Regatta in the 2022/23 season, they must be back together after summer training, looking to defend the reputation they built over other doubles in this competitive category.
Tideway Scullers School
Being on their home stretch, Tideway Scullers School will want to make the most of their knowledge of the course to give them an upper hand on the day. Their double has always been towards the top of leaderboards but has never quite been able to reach the very top spot. However, their most notable performance has to be fourth place at J15 level in this year’s British Rowing Junior Championships, where they pulled ahead of some strong crews, claiming their spot in the top four.
Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club
Coming all the way from the Isle of Wight, Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club have made a name for themselves at the British Rowing Junior Championships, where, as J15’s, they made the podium having been the underdogs of the competition, not appearing at any major races prior to the championships. They are the only crew from their club attending the race, so the pressure is on to defend their name on race day.
Prediction
I think this will be a very close race, but Tideway Scullers School’s knowledge of the course might help them to get just in front of Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club to win the event. However, Walton Rowing Club will not go down without a solid fight for the top spot. Overall, I think there will be some quick times, and these crews all have the potential to take home the win.
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