While other open categories, such as the eights and fours, are typically inundated with entries, the championship double sculls event tends to draw a more compact field. That streamlined entry list brings its own advantages. With fewer crews on the start line, scullers in this event have more opportunity to make their mark and claim the top spot. Last year saw just six entries in this category, with Reading University ‘A’ emerging victorious. This year’s field is set to slightly expand, but the standards remain high.
The 2024-25 series of events features the usual suspects, with Bath, Durham, Edinburgh, Queen’s and Reading all bringing crews capable of challenging for the title. With the calibre of athletes entered, spectators can expect a fast and fiercely contested straight final, and a showcase of high-performance university sculling.
The electric atmosphere of BUCS regatta provides the perfect stage. Many of the doubles entered here are also racing in other championship events, namely quads and singles, with a rogue pair thrown into the mix to keep us on our toes. This will serve as an ideal platform to execute sharp racing form and build momentum launching into what should hopefully be another exhilarating summer of regattas.
Bath University
Bath University continues to cement its reputation as a high-performance club. Their recent victory claiming the Victor Ludorum Trophy at the GB Performance Development Academy Regatta underlines their growth and strength as a centre for developing rowing talent in the Southwest. The double of Archie Norton and Luka Halozan-Bayley impressed at the GB trials, finishing 11th in February in the men’s double and highlighting their potential as future international athletes.
Last year, Bath claimed bronze in the BUCS championship double, and with momentum from strong early season performances, they’ll be aiming to go at least one better this year. Powered by GB Start support and fuelled by ever-growing confidence, Bath are very much in the conversation for another podium finish.
Edinburgh University
A perennial force in Scottish rowing, Edinburgh remain one of the most consistent academic clubs at BUCS and are always tough to race. Freddy Foxwell, sitting stroke in this double, recently formed part of Edinburgh’s first eight at Head of the River, helping them finish 15th overall and claim the Scott Skirving Trophy for the top academic provincial crew. He will also feature in the championship quad and intermediate pair this weekend, making him one of the most versatile athletes in this event. Tripling up is no easy task, but if any athlete can handle the challenge, it’s Foxwell. He placed 32nd overall in the single at the GB trials in November and took third in the U23 and first in the U21 rankings at the February trials, racing the men’s double with Magnus Heidrich.
Crucially, Edinburgh didn’t race this event last year, which means they’ll arrive without the weight of expectation, but with the freedom to attack. If they get the race plan right, this could be a dangerous crew with the potential to take to title back to Scotland.
Loughborough University
Loughborough arrive at BUCS on the back of a dominant head season, having collected a haul of gold medals across Nottingham, Head of the Dee, Lincoln Head and Head of the Soar. Their form in local events has been nothing short of impressive, reflecting their growing strength of a student-led programme that continues to punch above its weight.
Whilst they may not have the structure of a high-performance centre like some of their rivals, Loughborough’s results speak for themselves. Their ability to constantly disrupt more established crews proves they belong at this level of competition. I would wholly anticipate Loughborough to devote themselves fully to this race and rattle the favourites and make their presence felt on the championship stage.
Queen’s University Belfast
A familiar force in this event, Queen’s have carved out a reputation for producing standout rowers for both British and Irish national squads. Leading their charge is Fergus Bryce, a rising star who competed at the U23 World Championships last August in the Irish men’s quad, winning the B final. With this kind of international experience, Queen’s will be on the hunt for gold as they look to upgrade their silver medal from last year. They also finished second in the men’s championship quad at BUCS Head, just behind Reading, a result that adds extra edge to this rematch. Expect Queen’s to bring their trademark grit and intensity to this race, pushing Reading all the way. They’re serious contenders and will throw everything they have into ending Reading’s streak at the top.
Reading University
Wherever there’s sculling, there’s Reading. A club that focuses exclusively on sculling, Reading consistently sets the standard in this event and are always ones to watch. The only university to enter two crews, they arrive with depth and dominance in equal measure. Having won this event multiple times, they’ll be targeting yet another gold, with no intention of settling for anything else.
Not only do they bring firepower, but they also bring pedigree. Ed Fuller, a Paralympic gold medallist and member of the victorious GB coxed para four, brings top-tier experience to the A crew. He’s joined by Joseph Bates, who won in the men’s quad for Henley Sculls 2024 who will stroke the second crew. With both boats packed with talent, Reading will not only be fending off rival universities but could also find their toughest challenge coming from within.
Predictions
With Reading being the current title holders, and a longstanding dominance over this event, they’ll be favourites to win this event yet again. With the depth of sculling experience between their crews it’s hard to imagine a final that doesn’t see them crossing the finish line first. However, the beauty of BUCS is that anything can happen. All crews will have their own motivations and strategies to get close to gold.
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