And we are back! The regatta season has come around once again and this year is set to be another exciting one. Programmes this year have been able to run, largely uninterrupted which is marking the return to a more traditional regatta season. It will be exciting to see how the last few years have affected the junior rowing circuit. Looking into the Junior Women’s Coxless fours- this event looks to have hot competition with 9 crews entered.
Henley Rowing Club
Reputationally Henley Rowing Club is known for producing some of the fastest junior women’s crews on the British rowing circuit and this season looks to be no different. After their dominant head race season winning the Championship and Second J18 Eight alongside the J16 Eight at Schools head, it is clear to see the club are in a good place coming into the regatta season. Under the guidance of head coach Leon Redman, the crew will likely be putting in a sharp performance and vying for top spot.
Hinksey Sculling School
Hinksey is quickly establishing itself as a new and emerging force on the junior rowing circuit and after their finalist crew in the Brittannia Four at Henley Royal Regatta last year the club looks to be going from strength to strength right down to the juniors. After a strong 4th place performance at Schools Head, it will be exciting to see whether this switch to the shorter nature of 2k regatta racing will find them a place on this weekend’s podium.
Surbiton High School
The crews from Surbiton High School are beginning to make a name for themselves as a growing force on the junior rowing circuit. Under the guidance and coaching team of Head of Rowing Stewart Walker, it lead a crew too the final of the Prince Phillip Challenge Trophy at Henley Royal Regatta last year showing the strength in their programme. This has been further demonstrated this year with a confident performance at Schools Head with 6/7 entered crews placing in the top three including 2 wins.
South African Schools Rowing Union
The presence of the South African Schools Rowing Union at Wallingford Regatta is sure to bring some new excitement and anticipation to Dorney Lake. With crews comprising of some of South Africa’s top Junior athletes who have been selected off high performances at the south Africa Schools Championships. If this is any indication, there will definitely be some fierce competition coming down the course from this new competitor on the British Junior Women’s circuit.
Predictions
Alongside these four strong crews, there is also the undoubting presence of the crews from Emanuel School, Kingston Grammar School, Putney High School, St Pauls Girls School and Lady Eleanor Holles who will all be adding to the competition for the top spot. As it is the first regatta of the season the results will be eagerly anticipated to see where standings look coming into the rest of the regatta season. If experience and reputation are anything to go off, the competition for the top spot looks to be a home vs away competition between Henley Rowing Club and South African Schools Rowing Union.
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