They may enter the race as boys, but the 4.5km course on the notorious Tideway with only one crewmate alongside them will be demanding and force those who dare to compete to become men. The tideway is unforgiving for those who dare to face it, especially for the young athletes in this division who have little racing experience on this course after covid robbed a great chance to become familiar with landmarks such as Chiswick bridge and the informs finish line of Harrods Wall earlier on in their junior career.
Tideway Scullers School
Setting off first, the Tideway Scullers School seem to be a favourite in the eyes of the officials, and who could blame them? With an experienced sculling centre that has a history of success, the most recent being their win in the Fawley challenge cup in 2020 where Indy Regan’s big brother was one of the winning crew. But as of current both Indy Regan and Morley Pendrid have had more than enough to boast about. The J16 4x silver medallists at the National Schools’ Regatta as well as the fastest quad entered into the GB VS France qualifications, show that they have more than enough speed to compete in the division.
Team Keane
Next up, Team Keane. Also based out of London, they are not known for as many major successes in the past as some of the other clubs and schools they are forced to face come October 2nd, but this has never stopped them from entering in force which can be seen here with 4 crews ready to race. With all of them chasing one another we could see some intra-club competition coming down the course which would be expected. When racing in a boat with one another, everyone else on the course becomes a rival, so I hope they can keep it respectful and tidy, but who would blame them if they did everything, they could to get the edge over their crewmates?
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Potential underdogs appear in the form of Maidenhead Rowing Club. Maidenhead RC has not only a history of success in recent years but success on the tideway. Breaking a course record in the Schools’ Head in 2018 which might remain the same for all of history. Past crews have won also won the Fours Head as well as the Pairs Head on multiple occasions. Crewmates Campbell Orr and Jai Patel have been part of a squad that’s on the rise under new management with over 5 different head coaches in the past 4 years, these lads have now had a slight bit of consistency and seem to be able to roll with the punches as they have made nothing but progress, especially towards the end of last season. However, the previous time Maidenhead entered the junior boy’s division they had a little trouble potentially costing them the win, so let’s hope there isn’t a repeat for these two lads
Predictions
Now, obviously, King’s College School and St Paul’s School and their past success require no discussion, however, all those legacies could cause the boys in these boats to start to feel the pressure, alongside the fact that these boys wouldn’t have necessarily been the top of the pack. Writing the boys off early though could be a great mistake as anyone could make the rise from rags to riches, not to mention the facilities that these boys have at their fingers to help them take the top spot at their clubs and on the result page.
If I were to make a prediction, I would have to put my money on the crew from Tideway Scullers School but as for the rest of the field, it really is a tough one to call and with the race being on the tideway course making for the biggest challenging variable.
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