Slowly but surely, the seasons are changing, and the racing venues must follow. From the wide but winding Tideway in deep London to the arrow-straight course of Dorney Lake in Buckinghamshire, the racing will become ever more intense. In the Open Junior Quads, we find ourselves watching a particularly wide field of potential victors, with crews regularly found in the limelight being joined by exciting new prospects for the trophies. So here we find ourselves at the renowned Wallingford Regatta with one important question on our minds: do these crews still remember how to steer straight?
Tideway Scullers School
This crew have taken no prisoners so far this season, already winning at both Schools’ Head and Hammersmith Head, a seriously dominant effort. After an underwhelming season previously, with only a 7th place at National Schools’ 2023, Tideway appears to have come from almost nowhere to accomplish these feats, showing just what you can realise during winter training. Two members of the boat have returned to the top quad from last season, however, one of these rowers, Thomas Patrick, will be absent as he is competing at the Munich International Regatta instead. The remaining crew have come from last season’s 2nd Quad or J16 Quad. The question remains however if they can continue their domination into regatta season – as doing so will involve constant progression and development. Alternatively, have they peaked too early and consequently will spend the remainder of the season trying to hang on to the top positions? Whatever happens, their results here may be a prelude to the outcome.
Hinksey Sculling School
Retaining two members of their remarkable junior quad from last season (Herbie Austin-Baker and Judah Turnbull, who made the final of the Fawley Challenge Cup), this boat is bolstered by Toby Harris, a member of their B-quad in 2023 (which also qualified for the Fawley) along with novice rower Max Campbell-Reide, who recently posted a 6:12 2k ergo. Hinksey are settling into their new-found position at the top of the junior rowing pecking order and, with a relatively successful third at Schools’ Head of the River, this crew will be locking their sights on the boats they have failed to better so far. However, with Head Coach James McAnallen using this regatta as a key determination on whether to race the championship quad at the National Schools’ Regatta or whether to split down to smaller boats, the pressure is on them to perform. Additionally, having a novice rower in the boat may give them opportunities to continue gaining speed over their competitors, although it also leaves opportunities for mistakes which more experienced crews might avoid. Regardless, Hinksey are one of the only top clubs to have not lost any talent to GB for Munich, which unquestionably distinguishes them as one of the favourites.
Windsor Boys’ School Boat Club
After a slightly disappointing fourth at the Schools’ Head of the River by their own lofty standards, Windsor Boys will undoubtedly be looking to return to the top. Considering they raced at the Schools’ Head without one of their top athletes, Atticus Chute, it is clear we are still yet to see them at their fastest. Despite being a club riddled with illness towards the end of the head season, they are back and here to prove we should acknowledge that. Furthermore, it was this time last season they turned their performances around, with a 17th place at Schools’ Head 2023 followed by a restitutive second place at Wallingford Regatta. Even for such a distinguished club, they can find phenomenal speed from almost nothing; something director of rowing Mark Wilkinson clearly excels at. This makes them possibly the most intimidating crew on the course. Still, unfortunately for Windsor, they have given up not one but two of their top rowers to Munich with both Jimmy Harlow and Joe Wellington absent. This will seriously hinder their efforts to claim the title.
Leander Club
Last year, Leander won the Fawley Challenge Cup, the holy grail of junior sculling, meaning that regardless of their performances this year, they are to be respected, if not feared. However, despite retaining Byron Richards this year, who competed at the U19 world championships in the single last year, it is clear they do not possess the tenacity of last season. Finishing fifth at the Schools’ Head of the River after winning it by 14 seconds last time indicates they’re lacking a little bit of punch in 2024. With the resources and dependability of the pink hippo behind them though, it is never too late for a comeback.
Great Marlow School
The only crew on this list not to have raced at Schools’ Head of the River after scratching at the last minute, Great Marlow School deserve a mention for their commanding performance at the Oarsport Junior Sculling Head, which saw them take the win by 13 seconds for the first time ever. Despite this impressive result, they are yet to face their main rivals, primarily the other crews on this list. They may have surprised the crowd at OJSH with their result (including the organisers who only seeded them 14th) but going into Wallingford Regatta, crews will now know to watch out for them. So, with nowhere to hide, it is time for them to prove they can hold their own against the real heavy-hitters. If their April training camp says anything, it is that they are preparing for the fight. Like so many others, they are also missing their top athlete, Sal Dunn, so may be somewhat off top-form.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Maidenhead are a club who consistently feature at the business end of junior sculling and are certainly towards the top of the pack in 2024, with a decent sixth-placed finish at the Schools’ Head of the River in March and a third at Hammersmith Head a few weeks prior. If they can convert this pace from the Tideway waters to the lanes at Dorney, they are not to be underestimated, particularly with other clubs having to field significantly weaker crews. An A-final seems fairly assured, but can they challenge for a medal?
Prediction
With so many crews vying in the space between nearly-rans and outright contenders, predicting the outcome will not be an exact science. In my view, the gold is Hinksey’s to lose considering that, unlike many clubs, they will be racing their top crew, yet Tideway could still be down for a formidable fight. I think it will be Windsor and Leander fighting for a minor medal, with GMS likely a little behind. Maidenhead could also throw a spanner in the works for their competitors, and with key members missing, they may even be able to overpower GMS.
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