I can say with certainty that the pair is the most complicated and technically satisfying boat class I have ever rowed, and I am sure many others would agree!
There is nowhere to hide, and total accountability is balanced on a knife’s edge of instability and technical demand. Getting it ‘right’ requires skill, perseverance, experience and trust. But when it goes well, it goes well like no other boat class.
It is a boat class steeped in history and esteem, with the likes of Glover and Stanning, Murray and Bond and Redgrave and Pinsent to name a special few. The pair allows its rowers to carve out a place in rowing history maybe like no other.
The senior pair this year will again be a face-off for small boat domination on one of the most complex courses in world rowing. The Tideway is an early testing ground for these competitors, as undoubtedly the experiences and lessons learned from this race will be etched into our competitors’ minds for the rest of this season and beyond. Who will claim the honour of mastery of this year’s event?
Hereford Rowing Club
First off down this formidable course will be Hereford Rowing Club’s Fraser and Guy. After a strong 23/24 season for Hereford that saw a Wyfold four make it to the Wednesday of Henley Royal Regatta, this club is showing that it is a wonderful place for serious competitors. I am sure that they will be hoping that the senior pair will be a terrific way to build on a strong season and take advantage of the experience that such a prestigious race can provide to their HRR 25 charge. These men will be relying on ample Tideway experience to guide them down the course smoothly, as they try to show the fruits of seasons of arduous work.
Radley College Boat Club
It is probably a safe bet to say that this crew will be the category’s youngest competitors, but that does not mean for a second that they are not up to the task that is ahead of them. The name of this club alone brings with it a pedigree that speaks for itself, I have little doubt that this young crew come to do anything other than challenge for the win.
Pillar raced in RCBS’s 2nd eight and his crew mate Theed in the J16 first eight at last season’s National Schools Regatta, so it is obvious that they are skilled and experienced competitors. This race will be an excellent stepping stone into the season for them as they prepare to fight it out for seats in the programme’s top boat.
Nottingham Rowing Club
Like other clubs in this event, this is one of two pairs fielded by the club and my interpretation from their positioning in the draw is that they are on paper their club’s strongest entry. Nottingham Rowing Club‘s Town and Cross has been a constant force in UK club rowing for many years now, the Trent is not the same beast as the Tideway, but it certainly is not a leisurely row. If any other river could prepare them for the challenge that lies ahead the Trent is certainly one of them. Let’s hope their knowledge of the course is up to scratch.
Curlew Rowing Club
The only entrant from this East London-based club, they are likely to have the most Tideway experience of all entrants. Having also fielded a crew into last season Wyfold, it is a club on the climb. The home field advantage on this course and its potential pitfalls is not to be understated. Any time spent in any shell on Tideway will breed skilled oarsmen. Will they have enough in the tank to combine with their local knowledge to secure victory?
Prediction
My prediction is that the school’s boys Pillar and Theed of Radley College will claim the title, but I am extremely interested to see what Nottingham’s Town and Cross have to offer. Outside chance goes to Curlew on their home turf.
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