Celebrating its 50th year running, the Pair’s Head of the River is the largest race aimed at just pairs and doubles. Its gruelling stretch of the river takes competitors from Chiswick Bridge to Harrod’s Wall, for a course of around 4.5km along the Thames. Following the performance of this age group at Vesta Sculler’s Head a couple of weeks ago (and many of the athletes competing in both), this promises to be an intense race for ambitious scullers.
Barn Elms Rowing Club
After taking the top two places at Vesta, Riley / McDougall (354) have the most experience at being in the lead this season. By combining two top-performing scullers, Barn Elms Rowing Club has ensured themselves with a great chance of placing well this weekend. Alongside this crew, Barn Elms RC has also entered three other crews. Their scullers have also been recognised for placing 13th in the WJ15 4x+ at the Oarsport Scullery Head in March, and have (of course) had the entire regatta season to refine their abilities and agility as a crew. With this number of crews, I would not be surprised if most, if not all, of these Barn Elms RC crews, place in at least the top half of the fifteen boats.
Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club
Despite only one entry from Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club this year, Anderson / Ellis (352), the club often promises good results. Following the performance by L. Anderson at the Vesta Sculls (placing third), this crew seems like a strong double with enough stamina to keep up on the course, especially after their Women’s J15 4x+ won the Oarsport Scullery Head in March, as one of the last big races of the previous Head Race season.
Tideway Scullers School
Used to racing on this stretch of the Thames, Tideway Scullers School has entered two crews into this category this year. One of the crew from boat 360, (Delevante / Manel) was in the quad who placed 11th overall at the Oarsport Scullery Head, giving the double a powerful insight into head racing. Tideway SS have been known to do well in this race over recent years, and this experience as a school may be the push that they need to reach the top places.
Predictions
Overall, the range of boats entered into this category promise an interesting row. Due to being so premature into the head season, it is still very early to tell who will be this season’s most prominent athletes, but judging from the recent Vesta Sculler’s Head, this season guarantees to be a great spectator sport.
My prediction for top 3:
- Barn Elms Rowing Club – Riley / McDougall (354)
- Wycliffe Junior Rowing Club – Anderson / Ellis (352)
- Tideway Scullers School – Delevante / Manel (360)
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