BUCS regatta is one of Britain’s largest regattas, and this weekend, Nottingham’s National Watersports Centre plays host to the spectacle that is the convergence of thousands of athletes at to battle it out on the lake for the glory and the gold. The Open Championship Pairs consistently demonstrates some of the highest-class rowing out there, from technique to power. This weekend’s race will be intense and worth keeping a close eye on.
Durham University Boat Club
The almighty northern performance program at Durham University has brought along two pairs to race in the championship event this year at BUCS. The club is having a stellar season, with strong performances at Head of the River in March, as well as a string of other head race wins from over the winter campaign.
As last year’s runners-up, as well as fourth place finishers, DUBC will be seeking for a continuation of their success from not just this season but the last too. The coaching team of Will Fletcher and Holly Young have guided the squad into being revered athletes and transformed the club from an average University Boat Club into one on the highest levels of collegiate rowing in Britain.
The ’A’ crew from DUBC is bowed by the 2024/25 men’s captain, Charlie Warren. Charlie hails from the internationally renowned Windsor Boys’ School Boat Club, where he experienced success at the highest levels of sculling at Henley Royal Regatta, winning the Fawley Challenge Cup. Since he arrived at DUBC, he has continued this success both at Henley in the club’s 1st Eight and at BUCS 2024, where he and his crew prevailed in the intermediate 2-. Further, him and Will Morgan-Jones pulled off an impressive finish at GB Trials in November 2024, coming third overall in the 2- Trials. Combining Charlie, his crew and DUBC’s increasing presence on the national stage, this ‘A’ boat is in with a strong chance in Nottingham.
The ’B’ crew will be bowed down the Holme Pierrepont course by Bob Bryden. Bob and his crewmate, Harry Wildridge, also had a good weekend at the November trials for GB in the 2-, coming just behind their teammates in 22nd overall position. The pair have had plenty of experience together, and with the immense power packed into this 2-seat sweeping machine, this second crew from DUBC will be looking to make a strong impression in Nottingham this weekend.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
Scotland’s undoubted greatest performance program at Edinburgh University has long been producing some of the best athletes in collegiate sport. With a squad reduction at the beginning of the season, the club has ensured that its athletes are of the absolute highest standard as they enter this pivotal regatta period campaign. Further, with their training facilities at Strathclyde Park being their hub for training, the squad is most capable of coping with the unpredictable conditions at Holme Pierrepont this weekend. Under the careful tutelage of Colin Williamson and a more recent addition in Dale Flockhart, EUBC have flourished. Jumping from strength to strength, the coaching team connects with the squad and has helped propel the club to the nationally respected performance program it has come to be known as today.
The bow seat in this highly competitive pair is Australian Henry Blackwell, who will be seeking to add to his lengthy accomplishments with the club this year as he has already bowed the Edinburgh 8+ down the championship course on the Thames this year, helping them achieve one of the club’s strongest ever finishes at the prestigious Head of the River. EUBC also importantly stand as the reigning champions of this race from last year’s performance from the likes of Murray Bone. If they can carry on this momentum, and if they can bring the heat this weekend, this boat should glide down the Nottingham course and be in with a serious chance of bringing home the gold north of the border.
Newcastle University Boat Club
Newcastle has been on the rise in recent years, with a now sprawling senior squad and immense, expert supervision from long-time Head Coach, Angelo Savarino. The club has been jumping from one success to another, from record Head of the River performances to consistency across all regattas, always putting their best foot forward. The club has entered two crews into the open championship pairs this coming weekend, and we will definitely get to see some top-class rowing from each of them.
The ‘A’ crew from NUBC is bowed by Benjamin Brockway. Hoping to harness his European U23 experience and history of maintained dedication and success in his rowing at the likes of the revered Shiplake College, Benjamin will lead his crewmate and himself down the unpredictable course at Nottingham this weekend and will be wanting to bring the heat. The power in this crew, mixed with the expert teachings of Savarino, puts them in a good position to take home the win this weekend.
Lastly, the ‘B’ crew from NUBC is bowed by Gwilym Johnson. The experienced Welshman, two-time BUCS champion and former HIR representative for Wales, will be commanding this pair down the lake this weekend. If Johnson and his crew can find the rhythm and work in harmony, there is little in their way to have a strong race this weekend that puts them in the running for the win.
Predictions
In this packed field, filled with the highest calibre of athletes, it is challenging to pick a winner. But when the green lights tell these crews to go, I see Durham University ‘A’ crossing that finish line first, closely followed by Edinburgh University. No matter the result, it will be a great race that will demonstrate the greatest that Britain has to offer on the collegiate scene and I wish all crews the very best of luck.
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