After a turbulent head season plagued by cancellations, the Girl’s Junior 15 Championship Eights category at the Schools’ Head of the River Race promises an intense battle between some of the country’s most formidable junior crews. Eleven determined boats will take on the 6.8km stretch of the Tideway, each looking to capitalize on their winter training to claim victory in what is set to be a tightly contested race.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
Surbiton High School Boat Club enters as a major contender, having dominated the Junior 14 octuples category at last year’s National Schools’ Regatta, with a winning time of 3:34, four seconds ahead of Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club. Their transition from sculling to sweep rowing has been promising, demonstrated by a strong second-place finish at Kingston Head (19:53), just ten seconds behind Lady Eleanor Holles. Their ability to maintain speed over long distances will be tested against some of the top sweep rowing schools, but if their technical efficiency matches their raw speed, they could pose a significant challenge to the frontrunners.
Wallingford Rowing Club
Wallingford Rowing Club has shown remarkable squad strength, qualifying five boats across Junior 15 and Junior 16 categories at the Thames Upriver trials for the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta (JIRR). While their WJ15 eight has yet to prove itself in full force, their versatility was on display at Wycliffe Head, where a split crew in the WJ15 4x+ secured seventh out of twelve- a notable mention in the competitive pool at Wycliffe. Additionally, with seven GB trialists and a large contingent participating in race simulations at their Perkins vs Wallingford fixture, their depth and training intensity could set them up for a strong showing. Though they have yet to put down a definitive result in an eight this season, their ability to develop high-calibre athletes suggests they may surprise the field on race day.
Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club
Lady Eleanor Holles School Boat Club (LEH) has already made their presence known this season with a dominant victory at Kingston Head, claiming a time of 19:43 and holding a ten-second advantage over Surbiton. Their performance at Quintin Head further cemented their credentials, finishing second in 13:21.15 -only 1.5 seconds behind Headington. LEH’s consistent strength across age groups, as shown by last year’s second-place results at the National Schools’ Regatta, makes them a formidable force. With their squad’s momentum and history of success across the club (demonstrated by the impressive title of Victor Ludorum at the aforementioned Quintin Head), they will be targeting the top spot. Hence, they are one of the most well-rounded crews on the start list.
Leeds Rowing Club
Leeds Rowing Club will also be looking to make an impact. Their WJ15 4x+ claimed victory at Tyne Head, showcasing potential even if their eight remains seemingly untested. Last season, Leeds’ Junior 14 octuple finished third at the National Schools’ Regatta, just four seconds behind the winners, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level. If they can translate their sculling success into sweep rowing, they could challenge the front-runners. Given the tight margins seen in previous national competitions, Leeds will need to execute a near-flawless race to disrupt the leading crews.
Notable Mentions
Among other key competitors, Headington School Boat Club has proven themselves as a perennial powerhouse, winning Quintin Head and finishing fourth at Kingston Head with roughly 35 seconds between them and LEH. Though information on their Junior 15 squad is scarce, their reputation suggests they will be a force to reckon with. Putney High School Boat Club has adapted well to the disrupted season, focusing on race simulations to maintain sharpness and inter-squad competitiveness, suggesting a competitive edge to look out for this weekend. Marlow Rowing Club’s WJ15 octuple won Wycliffe Head by nearly two minutes; this is a very impressive margin that speaks to their strength in this category and long distances. Meanwhile, Tideway Scullers School demonstrated their club’s excellence at the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race, where they were the fastest junior crew and finished 24th overall. Although their Junior 15 squad has had limited racing opportunities due to cancellations, it will still be interesting to see what this crew pulls out of the bag.
Prediction
With such an array of talent on display, the WJ15 Championship Eights category at the Schools’ Head of the River Race is shaping up to be a thrilling contest. The Tideway’s unpredictable conditions, combined with the strength of these crews, will make for an exciting race where every second counts. My podium predictions, however, come down to this:
- Surbiton High School Boat Club
- Lady Eleanor Holles School
- Wallingford Rowing Club
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