November in the Scottish Rowing season means only one thing: Inverness Heads. With hundreds of rowers from across Scotland making the scenic journey to the Caledonian Canal, all eyes will be on the country’s northernmost city for all the rowing action this weekend. This preview will cover the open senior events to unveil who we at JRN believe to be the front-runners for gold this weekend on the glorious glassy waters of the real North.
Open Championship Fours
Across both the coxed and coxless events, the men’s fours will be a highlight of the weekend at the Caledonian Canal. With six entries, the coxless fours will be a strong competition. Edinburgh University Boat Club have two equally impressive entries in this event – the first to set off the whole weekend. Their first crew will be led by Gabe Messner, and their second crew will be led by previous men’s captain, Onur Howie. These two incredible, stacked crews will be followed by St. Andrew Boat Club’s (SABC) entry, headed by stroke-man Josh Thompson. SABC has been increasing its success in recent years, with its men’s squad consistently achieving strong results across national regattas and its women’s squad, led by Lindsay Flockhart, reaching the second round at the new women’s club eights event at Henley Royal Regatta. SABC will be sure to give Edinburgh a run for their money this weekend, but with an ever-increasing national profile thanks to their recent immense performance, notably at The Home International Regatta and across the British competitions, Edinburgh will undoubtedly be the leading contender for the gold in the coxless event this weekend.
In the coxed event, I see it being a two-horse race between another entry from Edinburgh University Boat Club and the University of St Andrew’s Boat Club. The Edinburgh boat will be commanded by the incredible Freddy Foxwell, who has more than proven himself nationally at U23 trials earlier this year and as a consistent leading man at Scotland’s strongest performance program at the club, led by the renowned Head Coach, Colin Williamson. Their competition from the University of St Andrews is led this weekend by fresher Cameron Khan. Whilst his time at the club has not been long, Khan has really made his mark on the junior scene in Scotland – from Home International Representation to leading the boys’ squad at his alma mater, George Heriot’s School Boat Club. I see this being a great race between the two universities, and whilst I’d say St Andrew’s are certainly the underdogs here, I think they could surprise us at the Caledonian this weekend.
Open Championship Quads
In this event, it will be a fierce competition between Edinburgh University Boat Club and the new Clyde Scullers Performance Group. Edinburgh’s lead by here will be commanded by Scotland-respected Murray Bone, who has long been a leading man at the club. With the typical Edinburgh style strength, technical prowess and focus, this boat will be one to definitely keep an eye on this weekend. Challenging them for the win, however, is a new group in Scotland – The Clyde Scullers. This group, formed only earlier this year and composed of the River Clyde’s strongest, most committed and focused individuals, is seeking to make its mark this weekend. With the likes of Ben Parsonage in the mix, I’m sure this group is of an incredible calibre. Their two entries, featuring crew members such as Matthew Hughson, Joe Flood, Ethan MacLachlan and Thomas Lowrie, will be wanting to put their best feet forward this weekend and have their bow balls get down the Caledonian Canal both swiftly and in style – and I, for one, am confident they will do just that. Furthermore, with coaches like Bruce Thompson and Chris Rae behind them, they are well-positioned to succeed. Win, lose or draw, seeing this new group in action against the revered Edinburgh University will be a spectacle for all of us to behold.
Open Championship Singles
The championship singles this weekend will be our last great open senior spectacle. Edinburgh University Boat Club’s sole entry into this race, Oskar Udris, will be flying the blue and teal flag for the club in the single scull this weekend. Having had the opportunity to see Edinburgh train tirelessly at Strathclyde Park, I know that Udris has put in the time, effort and focus for this weekend and see him doing the club proud on the Caledonian. The various entries from Glasgow University Boat Club, from Hughson, Waddell, and MacLachlan, will also be in contention in this championship marathon race. As mentioned, these gents have had the opportunity to join the Clyde Scullers Group in the past year, and so it will be interesting to see if they can carry their successes from the treacherous river Clyde to the calm and glassy Caledonian Canal this weekend. Lastly, Nathanial Fishburn of Strathclyde Park Rowing Club will be another contender for the win in this race. Having had the opportunity to be part of the Scottish Performance Development Academy and be coached by the likes of Tom Young and Perri McCluskey, the training, expertise, and drive are there for Nathanial to take it home this weekend.
Predictions
I see all of the discussed crews having an incredible weekend of racing and giving the spectators quite the viewing experience. However, when push comes to shove, I see Edinburgh University Boat Club conquering across the fours and the quad, whilst I believe that Fishburn will inch out the victory for Strathclyde Park Rowing Club in the single scull this weekend.
