As the weather gets warmer and the sessions get longer, we’re back at Dorney for the first time this year with Wallingford Regatta. Often seen as the precursor to Nat Schools, all eyes are on these 6 crews to put themselves in the best possible position for Saturday the 28th of May.
Surbiton High School Boat Club
The notable lack of Henley Rowing Club in this category leaves the door open for Surbiton to take the win after a very successful season of head racing, with many close podium finishes shared between the aforementioned crews and Headington. These three schools are often regarded as the triumvirate of girls’ schools’ racing, and look to maintain that title as NSR approaches thick and fast. The SHSBC eight bore well the conditions of the Tideway to finish 3rd by 3 seconds to Headington at SHORR, and similarily at Quintin Head where they beat Headington and finished 2nd to HRC by a mere 4.5 seconds. While regatta season may be seen as a completely different ball game to its winter counterpart, I have no doubt that SHSBC are well placed to perform to their best at Wallingford.
Putney High School Boat Club
Also raced at SHORR, Putney High School Boat Club finished with a solid fifth in the J16 Champs’ category which puts them in a good space to medal at Wallingford. Their competition with Surbiton is not a new one, with both crews entering boats at Quintin Head and the Putney eight finishing a tantalising 2.8 seconds off the SHSBC second eight. With Surbiton entering two boats into this category, Putney are looking to do what they couldn’t a Quintin and take the victory.
Other Entries
Both Hammersmith based schools Latymer Upper and St Paul’s Girls have also entered eights into this boat class.
Predictions
While Surbiton High School are all-but guaranteed a win, the fight for second place between their second boat and Putney is sure to prove interesting!
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