Reading University Head of the River – Women’s Junior 18 Quads Preview

This article was written prior to the event cancellation

The Schools’ Head is just weeks away, and crews are eager to test their speed and size up the competition before the big day. Fresh off a strong performance at Hammersmith Head in challenging conditions, these athletes will welcome the chance to race upriver on the calmer Thames’ stretch in Reading. Here, they’ll have the perfect opportunity to showcase their skills to arguably the strongest university sculling program in the country.

Tideway Scullers School

A club that hardly needs an introduction with plenty of Henley Royal Regatta wins and international medals that do the talking for them. Fresh off a dominant performance at Hammersmith Head, where they stormed down their home stretch to claim victory over Headington School Oxford Boat Club and Marlow Rowing Club by seven seconds, they’ve already proven their speed. With a powerhouse quad featuring multiple international athletes, Tideway Scullers School will be serious contenders again if they field a lineup close to last week’s.

Claires Court School Boat Club

A club with a strong reputation for producing some strong rowers, Claires Court School Boat Club consistently delivers technically proficient crews. One of their top athletes, Donn, not only won Henley Royal Regatta at age 15 a few years ago but also represented Great Britain at Coupe de la Jeunesse over the summer. At Hammersmith Head last weekend, this crew faced an unfortunate time penalty, finishing seventh overall – without which they could have placed fourth. This is a clear indication of the speed that they can find. These girls will be competitive this weekend, ready to prove themselves and challenge the field. 

Marlow Rowing Club

Marlow boasts a strong and highly competitive girls’ sculling programme, with a history of Henley Royal Regatta finals, National Schools’ Regatta medals, and most recently, third at Hammersmith Head. They trailed seven seconds behind Tideway Scullers School. Now, racing down a new course that is neither Marlow Rowing Club’s nor Tideway Scullers School’s home stretch will level the playing field for them. The Marlow Rowing Club girls will be gearing up to close the gap and chase them this weekend.

Notable Mentions

Reading Rowing Club have put out two senior girl’s quads. I expect them to do quite well, given that this is their home stretch. Additionally, Henley Rowing Club’s have also fielded two quads, so given their reputation, they will be one to watch. 

Prediction

I predict that Tideway Scullers School will win, narrowly followed by Marlow Rowing Club in second and Claires Court School Boat Club in third place.

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The Rowing Stones

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