Bedford Regatta 2025 – Open Junior 16 Quads Preview

This Saturday, 250 crews will be competing at Bedford Regatta, held each year on the Great Ouse over 1,200m. For 2025, there are just four entries, though this is one up from last year! The only returning crew from that event is Oundle School Boat Club, though their 2024 performance was rather overshadowed by a captivating Windsor Boys’ School Boat Club appearance. However, with Windsor’s absence this year, in favour of new entrants Bedford Modern School Boat Club, Bedford Rowing Club, and Brentford Rowing Club, there is a chance for a reallocation of the podium with some fresh local competition to excite the event.

Oundle School Boat Club

While Oundle School Boat Club have kept a relatively low profile on the UK circuit so far this season, their standout showing at the Ghent International Spring Regatta, where they secured medals in three U19 boys’ categories, indicates that something is stirring in the waters of the Nene. At that race, Oundle’s scullers competed against seasoned European opposition, rising to the challenge and bringing home not just medals, but valuable experience in the upper echelons of European racing. That international practice could pay dividends as they submit themselves back under the domestic spotlight. And if current rowers need any more motivation, Old Oundelian James Robson recently helped Cambridge exercise victory in The Boat Race. His inspirational journey from Oundle to the Tideway will serve as a reminder of the prestige of the school, educationally ranked as the best independent school in the East Midlands. Whether this can be equally applicable to their rowing may well be discovered on Saturday.

Bedford Modern School Boat Club

They might have skipped the Junior Sculling Regatta, but make no mistake, Bedford Modern School Boat Club is very much in the mix this season. With a string of strong results already under their belts, Bedford Modern School BC is subtly constructing their reputation as one of the most efficient and fiercely competitive junior squads in the East of England. A clear victory in the Junior 16 quads category at Bedford Fours and Eights in February turned heads, not just because they topped their field, but because their Junior 16s clocked in with the same time as their Junior 18 crew! Back in November, Bedford was already setting the tone with a commanding victory at the Star Head of the River, backed up by a silver medal in the Junior 16 single sculls from a field of thirteen. It’s clear the squad has both depth and individual ability, a formidable combination which could sow seeds of doubt into the gardens of their local opponents.

Bedford Rowing Club

With two crews selected for the prestigious Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, Bedford Rowing Club is proving their capabilities well out of the Ouse circuit. At Bedford Fours and Eights Head, the home water advantage was put to full use as Bedford RC claimed second overall, with a standout performance from the women’s crew powering their way to victory. Their dominance in local waters will clearly be used at this weekend’s event, with hopes of climbing a spot up the podium. Bedford’s Junior 16 double succumbed to the wash at the Star Head with a seventh-place finish, though battling through a competitive field. Most recently, their Junior 15 sculler emerged victorious in the time trial of the Junior Sculling Regatta, then went on to dominate the A-final with a 7-second victory. With a national medal in the squad and perhaps even their boat, Bedford must hone their individual components to cultivate a domineering force on Saturday.

Brentford Boat Club

After a gritty showing at the Junior Sculling Regatta, where Brentford Boat Club’s juniors placed a modest 14th, the team is returning to the water with a sharpened focus and renewed determination. While the result marked an improvement on their 25th-place finish at Junior Sculling Head earlier in the season, the squad knows they’re capable of more—and they’re hungry to prove it. Their Junior 15 octuple has turned the tide, though, coming fifth at the Junior Sculling Head and an impressive eighth at Schools’ Head, amidst a flurry of tense competition, and it is possible that some of these athletes may race up if necessary to put the best boats out. Equally, the squad is fresh off an easter training camp in Belgium, where their technique and efficiency will have been honed. We’ll just have to see if enough has been done to continue their upward trajectory.

Predictions

With many Bedford-based rowing events, including Star New Year Head, cancelled, it will provide significant relief for the local clubs to be able to race each other competitively once again. Though matchups and predictions for regattas are sparse this early in the season, I’m confident that Bedford Modern School will come away with the victory, though Oundle’s lower-key racing may evoke surprise and upturn that prediction. We’ll just have to wait until Saturday to find out!