As head season draws closer it brings the weather with which it goes hand in hand; this sudden shift in weather perfectly represents the huge leap of athletes moving from J14 to J15. On Saturday 28th September, eight Junior 15 Quads will take on 4000 metres of the Wallingford stretch, with another five racing down the shorter course of 2500 metres. An event with more than double the entries it had last year, all crews (whether taking on the full course or the faster alternative) will go out with the same intention: to set the tone for the season.
Marlow Rowing Club
Marlow flaunt their depth in this category with three entries. One crew will brave the full course of Wallingford, while the other two opt for more of a sprint. The previous Marlow J15’s had an incredibly competitive year, with their ‘A’ quad and ‘B’ quad coming fourth and first respectively in their categories at National Schools’ Regatta. This year they will look to carry this theme on and will expect nothing less. This crew’s J14 season may not have started in the way they hoped, but this didn’t stop their upward trend throughout the season, where after a 16th placed finish at the Junior Sculling Head was bettered to 10th at the Junior Sculling Regatta less than two months later. Can this momentum be carried through to this season?
Wallingford Rowing Club
Wallingford are not an unfamiliar name when it comes to potential winners in J15. Last year’s victors will look to hold onto this title at their home Sculling Head. They split their cohort of three boats with a slightly different approach to Marlow, with two in the 4000 metre category and only one competing in the alternate. Wallingford are also a club who boast a successful previous J15 year. Not only this, they have solely raced in quads throughout their J14 year, unlike opponents Pangbourne, who had dabbled in octos throughout their J14 year.
Henley Rowing Club
Always at the top end of junior rowing, Henley will always pose a threat when their name’s on the draw. Based just down stream of the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta course, they never fail to put out a talented junior boat. Right off the back of a gold medal at British Junior Championships, this crew will be confident that they can start this season the same way they finished last. Henley have put both of their entries into the long distance event. I’m certain they will look to bring home a one-two finish.
Pangbourne College
Not quite the rowing force they once were, Pangbourne will look to reignite their rowing prowess right from the bottom, starting with their J15’s. A boat club that doesn’t always dominate the J15; Pangbourne have definitely flared flashes of talent within this squad nonetheless and there’s no reason this talent can’t be shown off once again.
Prediction
The huge jump to J15 from J14 makes these events extremely close, and even harder to predict. Being anyone’s race to win it could go to any of the entries, but due to their fantastic form I reckon Henley take the title in the longer event. In the shorter alternative Wallingford look to be the favourites but I’m certain Marlow won’t make it easy for them.
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