Following the wet and windy weekend along the Tideway at Fours Head, rowers up and down the country find themselves in the dark depths of the winter season. This Saturday hosts 18 women’s quads and their supporters flocking to the banks for another run down the Thames in Hampton. Many junior crews have already made their mark this season, proving this event to be an exciting one.
Putney High School Boat Club
It has been an exciting season so far for the girls at Putney High School, following on from the inaugural Junior Fours’ Head, hosted by the Tideway club themselves. After an October camp in Avis, Portugal, this crew should be feeling ready to take on the depths of the head season. They have had many solid performances already this autumn, including most recently at Teddington Head, securing the gold medal and fastest time in their boat class in the WJ18 coxless four. Swapping out one blade for two, the athletes at Putney High School Boat Club will be looking for another strong weekend to add to the record books and another medal for the collection.
Wimbledon High School Boat Club
Another quad making themselves known is the crew from Wimbledon High School, who took an impressive second place at Teddington Head in the eights category, as well as two stand-out finishes at Junior Fours Head in the coxed four and appearances at Reading and Kingston Small Boat Heads. Additionally, the school most recently completed an “ergathon” which fundraised an incredible £5000, proving the strong support these juniors receive within the team. Wimbledon High School Boat Club have also produced several young GB triallists and qualified multiple boats at both Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta in the previous season. Evidently, this crew earned the right to be considered contenders for first place at Hampton Small Boats Head.
Kingston Grammar School Boat Club
The young rowers at Kingston Grammar School Boat Club are sure to be confident leading into Saturday’s event as neighbours to Hampton. Furthermore, the girls in this squad have had an excellent start to the year with results including an 11th place finish at Junior Fours Head and a gold medal at Teddington Head. The club boasts a number of talented alumni, including those who now compete on the international circuit, and regularly produces talented crews that take home national medals and qualify for Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta. With triallists among them, this crew exhibits all of the qualities that can power them to first place this weekend – Kingston Grammar School are clearly ones to watch.
City of Bristol Rowing Club
City of Bristol are no strangers to success, as proven by their medal collection and close-knit team spirit. I feel confident in suggesting that this crew have got what it takes to take home another piece of silverware, supported by their most recent performances at Gloucester Head and their impressive placing just outside the top 20 after their run down the Tideway at Junior Fours Head. Despite the club being small in size, these juniors are dominant and not afraid to fight at the front, which further makes them stand out as a threat to the other women’s quads in this event. It will undoubtedly be a thrilling display of rowing for the spectators along the banks of Hampton.
Prediction
There is no ease in predicting a clear winner for this competition, however I believe that the girls of Kingston Grammar School Boat Club may have the power to take the win this weekend, closely followed by City of Bristol Rowing Club, with Wimbledon High School and Putney High School hot on their heels.
