After a long winter learning fundamental skills, rowing as a team and building endurance, the country’s newest rowers are ready to test themselves in some side-by-side rowing. On Monday 5th May, the women’s beginner eights will take on the two kilometre course at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. Beginners’ races are often unpredictable and results vary from year to year which ensures some exciting racing and a chance to spot future talent from some of the best learn to row programs.
University of Surrey Boat Club
As the champions in this event last year, the University of Surrey Boat Club have set the standard for beginner women’s rowing in recent years. After a dominant 2024, they’re back to defend their title and early signs suggest they’re in strong shape to do so. At BUCS Head, their beginner programme showcased its depth, with both eights finishing in the top five. The ‘A’ crew were just 15 seconds off gold, coming second to Edinburgh, while their ‘B’ crew came fifth. We should expect Surrey to fight fiercely to reclaim the top spot this year.
Edinburgh University Boat Club
Edinburgh’s track record in beginner events speaks for itself. They achieved a clean sweep of all beginner categories at BUCS Head in 2023, and have been the reigning champions at BUCS Head in the Women’s Beginner Eights since. They also took the Beginner Academic pennant at Women’s Head of the River in March proving their strength this season. Although they didn’t enter this category last year, their form suggests they’ll be back and gunning for gold in 2025, even with the change to regatta racing. If Edinburgh enter a crew into this category, they’ll be the ones to beat.
Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club
Queen’s University Belfast has also developed a strong beginner women’s program. They have consistently placed in the top five crews at BUCS Head in recent years, and this year their ‘A’ crew narrowly missed out on silver to Surrey. Their ‘B’ crew placed fourth, beating Surrey’s second boat, a clear sign of the squad’s depth. With just seconds separating the top crews, Queen’s could easily find themselves on the podium if they execute on the day.
University of Nottingham Boat Club
Racing on home water is always an advantage and for the University of Nottingham Boat Club, it might just be the edge they need. They finished sixth at BUCS Head and will be targeting the A final on Monday. Training at the National Water Sports Centre gives them invaluable familiarity with the course, and if they can convert that into speed, a top-three finish isn’t out of the question.
Predictions
With the draw yet to be released, it’s hard to know exactly who will be racing and what the outcome will be, but these four clubs look set to dominate the Beginner’s race. Edinburgh’s string of victories makes them favourites for gold, while Surrey, Queen’s Belfast and Nottingham are all well in contention for medals. Based on previous results Surrey currently has the edge over the other two clubs for silver, but beginner racing is always unpredictable and margins can be tight. Expect some close and competitive racing for the final day of BUCS Regatta 2025.
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