Finally. The days are getting longer, the layers are getting lighter, the rates coming up and just like that it’s time to kick off regatta season! Wallingford Regatta marks a revitalizing shift in the race calendar, bidding farewell to the grueling endurance challenges of the head season. As the athletes prepare to line up side-by-side, for the first time this year, let’s take a look at the entries into the women’s club eight roster.
Thames Rowing Club
When it come’s to women’s sweep rowing, it’s impossible not to acknowledge the impressive force that is Thames Rowing Club. While it appears this entry is dubbed the ‘E’ crew, competitors would be wise not to underestimate them, having placed five boats into the top 21 positions at WeHORR. This crew will be well drilled and ready to lay down their explosive power accumulated in the winter months in the hope of dominating this boat class across the board.
Vesta Rowing Club
Vesta Rowing Club will be out to show they’re still on fine form, building on last year’s appearance in the Copas Aspirational Club eight final, albeit falling short against aforementioned neighbours Thames RC. With two entries in this category, their ‘A’ crew will be determined to defend their territory against local rivals and challengers from afar. In recent years, Vesta has seen some adjustments to their coaching line up and indeed bid farewell to several members from their triumphant 2022 Copas Cup crew. However, Vesta has form for nurturing a reliable pipeline of talent from their acclaimed learn-to-row scheme program. With that in mind, I’d expect Vesta’s ‘A’ crew to be in the mix for a place in the final.
Lea Rowing Club
Another club renowned for nurturing and retaining ‘homegrown talent’ is Lea Rowing Club. This is evident in their eight, boasting two seats occupied by graduates from their Learn to Row course dating all the way back to 2016. Women’s Captain, Caroline Carson, shared that their squad is currently in the early stages of preparation for the regatta season, with plans to further refine their skills in the upcoming weeks during training camp. The crew’s lineup will comprise a mixture of both their A and B teams from WeHORR. With their iconic blazing orange blades, Lea Rowing Club aims to showcase their speed in this first opportunity for side-by-side racing.
Marlow Rowing Club
Marlow Rowing Club usually boast a strong presence across a spectrum of small boats categories at Henley Women’s Regatta. However, they recently made a subtle ascent, breaking into the top 50 at the Women’s Head of the River, moving from 61st place in 2023 to 49th in 2024. With no entries in the championship category, could this signal the emergence of an ‘A’ crew testing their mettle for a shot at the Copas Cup and possibly a debut at Henley Royal Regatta’s Wargrave event? Certainly one to keep an eye on.
London Rowing Club
Another club who are making moves in women’s rowing are London Rowing Club. This year, the team has experienced a surge of new members, injecting fresh energy into their ranks. Stroke woman Nicole Seredenko, now in her third season at LRC, remarked, “We are a very well-drilled group, we’ve spent a huge amount of time on the water together. A lot of the squad, both new and returning, have seen PBs recently in testing. It feels like the plan is coming together and we’re excited to hit the water”. This crew will be a blend athletes of their second and third boats from the Women’s Head of the River, securing 29th and 98th overall. Their objective will be to present the most formidable representation of London in the Wargrave. With a larger squad and renewed vigor, LRC are eager to showcase the depth of their talent pool and make a resounding statement on the water.
Notable Mentions
Who else should you keep an eye on? Well, Upper Thames have thrown us a bit of a curveball. Their two Women’s Head of the River crews appear to be in the championship category, making their third eight a bit of a mystery. If their counterparts are anything to go by then they’ll certainly be one to watch! Nottingham Rowing Club are another sweep contender you can never underestimate. While their first crew also appears to be competing in the championship category, it will be interesting to see if they’ve been able to progress and close the gap, with their second crew finishing 95th compared to the 38th placing of the first crew. Last but certainly no means least, Cantabrigian – the renowned Cambridge-based club with an undeniable reputation in sweep categories, particularly the eight. They usually produce a strong showing.
Prediction
The first regatta of the season is always an abundance of excitement and unpredictability. For me, and maybe it’s a bit controversial, I find myself drawn to these intermediate ‘club’ categories. Each year we observe dynamic changes between the leading contenders, resulting in nail-biting races that tighten with every year. If I had to call it? Well, Thames RC are the obvious choice… but for me the real race will be for the ‘minor medals’. Who are the movers and shakers of the 23/24 season? This weekend should be a solid indicator of that.
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