Here we go. The last major head race of the season but the first official title of the junior second eight’s season descends on the Tideway next week. This event is shaping to be highly contentious, with a clear winner nowhere to be seen, only guaranteeing one thing – tight racing. After a course record in this category being broken last year there are high expectations for a day of great racing.
St Paul’s School Boat Club
In recent years, it has been very hard not to talk about St Paul’s School Boat Club, whatever the category. In this case, St Paul’s School Boat Club is very much in contention to take the top spot. After winning silver at this event and gold at the National Schools’ Regatta , they are looking to build on their strong 2024 campaign. They have one returner in Milon Kalia, who is again at the helm and stroking this eight. He is backed up by six rowers from last year’s silver medallist Junior 16 top boat at National Schools’ Regatta who could easily make a dent in this year’s competition. For example, Theo Martin has had strong performances at GBRT U19 Trials this year, which once again shows the depth of talent that St Paul’s School Boat Club has. They have also had very positive results thus far on home turf. They placed second amongst the second eights at Quintin Head and Hammersmith Head. This young, albeit course-experienced, eight are definitely in the running to do what they were unable to do last year and take the top spot.
Hampton School Boat Club
Hampton School Boat Club has recently seen a resurgence regarding junior rowing. After strong performances last year in both the first eight and second eight categories at National Schools’ Regatta, on top of sending several athletes through the GB system, they are proving to be a force in junior rowing. This second eight has taken several athletes from last year’s Junior 16 top crew that narrowly missed out on a medal at the National Schools’ Regatta and who will be hungry to get their first year in the senior system off to a golden start. Hampton School Boat Club is in strong contention to take gold, particularly after a great result at Hammersmith Head, where they placed first out of the second eights at the event. On paper on Tideway races, Hampton School Boat Club may be seen as strong favourites and could come away with the win next week.
King’s College School Boat Club
King’s College School Boat Club’s second eight have had an impressive run this season thus far. After a strong performance at Kingston Head this past weekend, they beat Hampton School Boat Club, winning the Junior 18 eights category, handing them momentum as we approach the peak of the winter racing campaign. To further add to the collective confidence, they had a fixture with St Paul’s School second eight, where they won four out of the five pieces. This, along with their home advantage, means they’ll be right in the thick of it.
Notable Mentions
Shiplake College Boat Club are another force to be reckoned with when it comes to the Schools’ Head of the River, and this year will no doubt be strong. After several impressive athletes were added to the boat club, their second eight will only become stronger. Eton College Boat Club is also the current record holder in this category; however, due to a weaker Junior 16 squad last year, we will see how able they are to defend their title. Bedford School Boat Club, along with some of the other boat clubs mentioned, has experienced a resurgence when it comes to junior rowing and could come away with an impressive result.
Predictions
Although this category is packed I think that the top spot would be hard to take from King’s College School Boat Club. With the depth in the squad, it would be hard to overcome this crew. Closely following them, I would put St Paul’s School Boat Club. Although their crew seems young, their performances are noticeable, and they have usually overperformed in this category. Following them I would say that Hampton School Boat Club will be quick and will be fighting for their spot on the podium.
- King’s College School Boat Club
- St Paul’s School Boat Club
- Hampton School Boat Club
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