Just as the head race season starts, Bedford Small Boats Head is a good opportunity for clubs to leave an early mark on this year of racing, but the results of such events can be unpredictable due to the lack of data. The 2km course of this head race runs directly through the centre of Bedford, with the event hosting 411 boats across six divisions, with all boat types from singles to quads/fours. Although this race is quite short, the large number of boats will make the day rather exciting, especially with the sunny and (relatively) warm weather forecasted.
J18 4+
With five entries and no past results to go off, making a prediction for this division may prove quite challenging, especially since none of the clubs racing are especially known within the racing circuit. However, Bedford School usually performs better than others in sweep categories at larger events, like the National Schools’ Regatta, proven by their 6th place in the championship eights category at the end of last season. Whether we will see the same pattern continue on Saturday is unknown, but I think Bedford School do have the upper hand over Bedford Modern School and King’s School Ely Boat Club.
J16 4+
Although double the entries of the previous race, with ten entries split across five divisions and four clubs, it’s the same story as the age category above, with no past results from the coxed fours this early in the season. However, I think this time it will be Hampton School that have the upper hand due to their similarly notorious reputation for performance in the sweep events. This is evidenced by their fourth place finishes in championship eights, second eights and third eights, a gold medal in the J16 eights and a second place in the ‘B’ final of the J16 fours at the National Schools’ Regatta last season.
J18 4x
Considering there are eight entries in this division, with three of them coming from Hampton School, there must be a space for them to sneak through into a podium position. However, I think it will be Oundle School that will take the win due to their fifth place in the ‘B’ final of the National Schools’ Regatta last season. Although it is unlikely that the quad is still intact this year due to the rowers ageing out, it is no doubt a show of the strength of Oundle School’s quads.
J16 2x
Out of the 11 entries in this division, one stands out from the rest, which is the first double from Lea Rowing Club, being the first J16 double going off in the second division of the day. This double team secured a commendable third place at the Wallingford Long Distance Sculls just two weeks ago, demonstrating their strength early in the season.
J18 1x
Quite a large number of boats in this event, with 25 entries being mainly dominated by Hampton School, making up almost half of the division with their 12 entries and Sir William Borlase with half of that. I believe without a doubt that the competition between the twelve Hampton crews going off one after the other will push them into perhaps multiple podium spots in this event.
J17 1x
Although the competition is tough, with 19 crews racing in this event, plus many racing earlier on in the day, I think Star Club (George Robb) will take the top spot in this event due to his performance at the Scullers Head just two weeks ago, where he came 19th out of 31 singles racing in his category.
