Following two years of cancellations, competitors will be hoping it’s third time lucky as they complete final preparations for the Fours Head of the River Race. This year’s event features 12 entries drawn from the most competitive scullers on the British circuit. The calibre of athletes promises excitement – but so does the unpredictable nature of racing on the Tideway, where steering competence can be decisive.
Leander Club B & E
As the last winner of this category in 2022, Leander Club will be seeking to retain their title with one of their two highly competitive entries this year.
First in the start order is the Leander Club (B) entry. Dafydd and Harris raced together in the GB Rowing Team quad that won gold at the European Rowing Championships and silver at the World Rowing Championships last season. Joining them in the line-up is Gare and Shröder, who raced together in the double at the World Rowing Championships this summer and came second in the C-final. These athletes have extensive racing experience together, with Gare and Dafydd also winning The Double Sculls Challenge Cup together in 2024.
The second Leander unit comprises athletes who hope to step into the senior team in the coming seasons. Costley, who has won Henley Royal Regatta four times, will be heading to the championship course with a fresh second-place finish at GB trials – the fastest Leander Club trialist. Cartwright and King, who placed fourth and fifth, respectively, will join him. Cartwright has U21 and U23 GB racing pedigree and won The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup in 2021. Completing the crew is Cameron, who placed 18th overall at the recent trials.
Burway Rowing Club / Kingston Rowing Club / Twickenham Rowing Club
This composite entry from Burway / Kingston and Twickenham Rowing Club will chase Leander Club B down the course, starting directly behind them. Dixon, who raced alongside Dafydd and Harris in the silver-medal GB quad at the World Rowing Championships, features in this lineup – setting the stage for strong competition between the two crews. Dixon and Barras bring Olympic sculling pedigree, having raced together in the quad at the Paris Olympic Games, where they placed fourth. Thompson adds further senior team experience, with a third-place finish in the C-final at the European Rowing Championships. Completing the line-up is Rowe, making a brief swap from sweep to sculling. Rowe raced with the senior team in the men’s eight that won the European Rowing Championships and placed second at the World Rowing Championships last season. With depth and international experience across the board, this crew looks well-matched with Leander Club B – expect fierce and close racing between them.
Reading University Boat Club A
The depth of talent at Reading University Boat Club has enabled them to field three crews in this category. Their A boat features Long, who was recently ranked as the fastest sculler at GB trials, by a margin of over 21 seconds. Even more impressive, he’s still an U23. Snoxall, who placed ninth overall and was the third-fastest U23, adds further emerging talent. Robson brings experience from last season’s Prince of Wales Challenge Cup A crew and also claimed wins at Home Internationals in both the single and quad. Completing the lineup is Fuller, who raced alongside Long and Robson in that same Prince of Wales crew. With strong cohesion and proven speed, this is a crew with serious potential – and they’ll be targeting a top result this weekend.
Marlow Rowing Club
Third off the start, Marlow Rowing Club fields a crew rich with international racing credentials. Bird, ranked 15th at the recent GB trials, raced in the quad at last summer’s U23 World Rowing Championships alongside Ruinet – bringing cohesion to this crew from their shared racing experience. Wincomb, just seconds behind Bird at trials, adds further power and senior team pedigree, having placed second in the B-Final at the 2025 European Championships in the coxless four. Keating, a two-time Prince of Wales Challenge Cup winner, completes the lineup. With form and experience across the crew, Marlow will be aiming to break into the top five.
London Rowing Club
Racing on home water, London Rowing Club may benefit from local knowledge of the Tideway. Xu, who represented Canada in the double scull at the Pan American Games, brings international experience. Marshall joins him — the pair won The Wyfold Challenge Cup together last season. Lyon, a former Reading rower and 2023 Wingfield Sculls champion, adds firepower. Kleshnev, a Harvard Heavyweight alumnus, completes the crew. With a blend of experience and home-course familiarity, this crew could be in the mix for a top-five finish.
Predictions
The battle for the pennant is likely to come down to Leander Club B and the Burway / Kingston / Twickenham composite. While both crews boast international experience, the composite may hold a slight edge thanks to its Olympic pedigree. Reading University Boat Club A looks well-positioned to claim third, though Leander Club E will be aiming to disrupt that outcome.
