On Saturday 20th January at 11 am, 300 crews from all across the country will race the 4.4km Tideway course in what will be the first big-boats’ head race of the season. Growing in popularity, the WJ16 8+ has 12 entries from nine clubs and schools. Due to many races earlier on in the season being cancelled, it will be many of the crews’ first chance to assess where they stand against others. Many will be entering crews for a first run along the infamous Schools’ Head course.
Henley Rowing Club
Within junior women’s rowing, Henley Rowing Club has built up a programme which is a force to be reckoned with, and this year’s WJ16 squad is no different. After coming a close second in the WJ15 1st 8+ at National Schools’ Regatta, it will be exciting to watch this Henley crew take on the Tideway course. Henley were notably absent from this category last year, and as a result, will be looking to set a benchmark for the rest of the 2024 season. Henley is one of the clubs who have managed to race in a few races this season, coming first in both the WJ16 4+ and the WJ16 4x at Reading Small Boats Head, by winning in both sculling and sweep we can see this squad’s depth and they will be looking to capitalise on this race experience to win Quintin.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
Surbiton is a club who have been frequenting the top spots in recent years and often excel within J16 events in particular. In this same event last year, they beat the competition by an impressive 11 seconds, and so will be looking to maintain this title. At National Schools’ Regatta, the WJ15 squad managed to win third in the WJ15 1st 8+ and shall be looking to improve upon this during this season. However, Quintin Head is their first race of the season, so it is hard to assess their developments so far this year. Nevertheless, Surbiton will be looking for a top-three finish on the weekend given their pedigree within this event.
Latymer Upper School Boat Club
Latymer is another crew who will be looking for a podium finish on Saturday. Latymer Upper School is definitely a crew who will feel like they are on home turf and will be looking to capitalise on their knowledge of the tidal stretch. Within girls’ rowing, Latymer are often within the middle of the pack, demonstrated by coming fifth at Quintin Head last year. In a year where many have been struggling to train on the water, it would be an opportunity for Latymer to use their Tideway knowledge to steer them to a podium finish.
Other crews
Other notable crews include Putney Rowing Club, who have entered two eights in this category, Tideway Scullers, and Godolphin and Latymer School Boat Club who are all Tideway-based crews. This firsthand experience of the race-course I think might make a significant difference in a J16 race, so don’t be surprised if any of these crews surprise you!
Predictions
Considering the lack of water training for many clubs due to the recent weather conditions and limited race results so far this season, this race is difficult to predict. I think Henley and Surbiton will be the main contenders for the first-place finish, with the other clubs being close behind them.
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