After two consecutive cancellations due to adverse weather, crews across the country will be watching the forecast with bated breath, hoping for calmer conditions and a long-awaited chance to race the Tideway. The Fours Head has always drawn fierce competition from every corner of the UK, and this year promises to be no different. With Thames, LRC and Molesey all fielding strong crews, combined with nearly three years of pent-up hunger to challenge the reigning champions, it promises to be an intense battle for supremacy and the coveted pennant.
Thames Rowing Club
Starting with one of the premier rowing clubs in the country, Thames have flooded this year’s entry list with crews across both club and championship events. Over the past decade, Thames have been a linchpin at the pinnacle of British club rowing, reaching 66% of major finals and frequently converting those appearances into wins. With statistics like these, it’s hard to imagine this event not being added to their already extensive list of victories. They are also the current holders, although the race has not run since 2022.
Starting first in the crew order allows Thames to lead the charge and set the standard, and gives them a chance to separate themselves early from the chasing pack. Taking a closer look at their crews reveals the depth of experience within the squad. With Harrison Skinner, George Nelson and Constantin Leutoff featuring in The Thames Challenge Cup earlier this season, this high-level racing experience should translate well into the smaller boats, bringing efficiency, rhythm and speed to their performance.
Nottingham Rowing Club
A highly competitive outfit, Nottingham RC has long established itself as a hub for developing athletes in the East Midlands. Their recent successes have been nothing short of impressive, with athletes such as Jerry Owen making waves in the coastal rowing scene, a growing branch of the sport that continues to build momentum. Despite it still being early in the head season, Nottingham have already set themselves on a trajectory for a competitive and rewarding season with athletes racing at the Scullers Head and November’s GBRT trials. Nottingham Autumn Head gave Nottingham an excellent platform to display what they’re capable of, with winning times pouring in from across the squads. Notably, their open coxless fours finished top of the pack, taking home gold with the fastest overall course time.
With three boats poised and ready to race the Tideway, Nottingham are in a strong position to find themselves within the top end of this event.
City Of Bristol Rowing Club
Another consistently strong performer outside the Thames clubs, the City Of Bristol Rowing Club are once again throwing their hat into the ring. No strangers to the challenges of the Tideway, the club sent four crews to last year’s Head of the River Race, placing fourth in the Jackson Trophy with all entries finishing inside the top 25 of the pennant. While this event focuses exclusively on fours, that experience on the Thames will no doubt prove invaluable when the pressure mounts on race day.
Josh Scholes and Jack Gowing return after forming the bow pair of The Wyfold Challenge Cup crew that reached Tuesday racing at Henley Royal Regatta. Ned Clarke, who stroked the eight that prequalified for The Thames Challenge Cup, adds further depth to the lineup. With this calibre of recent small-boat experience, COBRC’s crews will be ones to watch, and they’ll be hopeful of producing some eye-catching times down the course.
Worcester Rowing Club
Having entered six crews across both the open and women’s categories, Worcester’s senior squad is firmly back in full swing. With mileage building steadily on the Severn and plenty of work logged on the ergs, there’s a real sense of momentum around the club this season. That energy will no doubt carry through onto the tideway, where the squad will look to turn their commitment to training into results.
In 2022, WRC’s two crews finished 11th and 22nd, setting a strong benchmark. This year, the focus will be on pushing further up the rankings and staving off local competitors such as Evesham and Warwick.
London Rowing Club
It would be hard to imagine a Fours Head without London Rowing Club lining up alongside Thames in perennial rivalry. The competition for Putney supremacy between these two Tideway powerhouses always makes for compelling racing and equally lively conversation on the banks and bridges. Expect the same intensity this year as both clubs battle for bragging rights and momentum heading into the winter season.
As reigning Wyfold Challenge Cup champions, LRC enter this event on the back of a historic summer season for their small boats. Starting behind Thames gives LRC the perfect incentive to lay down a statement performance and turn up the pressure from the first stroke.
Prediction
As defending champions, Thames will be going into the race with a clear objective: to row fast and win. Their experience on the Thames and depth of the squad make them the obvious favourites, but this doesn’t mean to say this will be an easy ride. Expect London Rowing Club, fresh from a Henley Royal Regatta-winning season, to be breathing down Thames’ neck and making every effort to secure this title for themselves.
