Only joining the Schools’ Head of the River in 2023, the mixed eights appeal to smaller schools and clubs who perhaps cannot field full male or female eights due to either boat availability or athlete numbers. However, some would say this adds to the event’s character, with most crews having a strong squad bond and a lively atmosphere to the boat. The category also produces remarkably close racing; last year, the second, third, and fourth place crews were separated only by five seconds over the championship 6.8km course, keeping each crew striving for more. With only four entries this year, let’s take a look at each one.
Canford School Boat Club
For a relatively small rowing programme, Canford has housed many successes over the last few years. Most notable would be the senior boys’ program, which has boasted two National Schools’ Regatta bronze medals in the previous two years in the championship coxless and coxed fours. Making up the other half of the eight, they have a strong up-and-coming Junior 17 girls’ squad who have also entered sweep categories at the National Schools’ Regatta for the last two years. This sweep experience could prove vital amongst the other relatively less-experienced crews and help them break the minute margin that rivals KES held over them in 2023.
Kind Edward VI School Boat Club
Rowing out of Stratford upon Avon Boat Club, King Edward VI School Boat Club have a very small but close-knit community, making the mixed eights the perfect category for them. Winning the inaugural mixed eights category in 2023, the club will be looking to improve on their fourth-place finish last year and move back to the podium’s top step. In recent years, the squad has seen much success, as it was once home to the 2024 Olympian Esme Booth, giving all rowers an inspiring role model to strive towards. Fuelled by the local champion, KES rowers will train hard to make an impression on the iconic Tideway course next Tuesday.
Stowe Sculling Club
Primarily a sculling club, Stowe Sculling Club have decided to dip into the world of sweep rowing after success at the Head of the Nene in Peterborough. Here, their Junior 18 eight placed first in the open eights, outpacing many more experienced crews, whilst their girl’s crew placed second in band two of the women’s competition. Combining these two crews could provide the perfect recipe for success on Tuesday. However, the scullers are often used to calmer conditions on their training lake than what may be thrown at them on the choppy river Thames, which may result in some struggles for the crew.
Cambridge ’99 Rowing Club
Chasing behind Stowe is Cambridge ’99, who fit right in amongst this field of competitive – but small – clubs. Their junior section houses up to 50 athletes, with all rowers being pushed to a high level of competition. Last season saw two successful quad campaigns at the National Schools’ Regatta, with their Junior 16 girls quad making it through to the A-final in a highly competitive field. Alongside them, their Junior 16 boys double placed seventh, with the boys’ championship quad placing 21st overall, giving the club a strong upward movement of Junior 17s and 18s to fill seats in this eight. Like rivals Stowe, Cambridge are predominantly a sculling club moving to sweep just for this event, demonstrating the fun and popularity mixed eight can bring.
Prediction
After researching all the crews entered here, I believe a very close race is on the cards for all parties involved. For me, the more experienced crews of KES and Canford School will claim gold and silver, with much less of a gap than the first year back in 2023. Stowe Sculling’s recent uptake of sweep will most likely gain them the last medal spot, and they will be followed closely home by Cambridge ’99.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
