As the head season is rolling in fast beneath us, the prospect of an un-cancelled Fours Head is an exciting spectacle. With this year’s committee subdividing the typical Fours Head into the newly launched Junior Fours Head, the event delves into a whole separate junior category with more opportunities granted to juniors to closely compete together on the Tideway. With 19 crews entered in the J16 coxed quad category, the competition is already brewing, and the 6.8 kilometres of course are lying in wait for the eager J16 boys.
Shiplake College Boat Club
The boys from Shiplake bring a breadth of experience, having started their rowing careers at Henley Rowing Club. This solid foundation in sculling has provided them with numerous racing experiences, resulting in multiple medals. With the standout athletes in this crew being Flynn Burrow and Franco Bigmore Wallace, the crew has won the J15 coxed quad category at events such as the National Schools’ Regatta and the British Rowing Championships. This duo brings a strong side to the competition, combined with Shiplake’s elite-level coaching; therefore, I do not doubt that their aspirations are high in this event.
Barn Elms Rowing Club
Although being a smaller club, Barn Elms has managed to produce a selection of up-and-coming, Tideway-tearing J16 boys this year. The boys in this quad represented Thames London for Junior Inter-Regionals, gaining a silver medal and additionally placing fourth in the coxed quad at the British Rowing Club Championships. More recently, the crew raced individually at Vesta Scullers Head with three of the boys placing in the top ten. Together, this crew has an elevated level of experience, and combined with their home water knowledge, the boys from Barn Elms should not be underestimated.
Bewl Bridge Rowing Club
Another crew, I believe, that will display a powerful performance on the championship course is Bewl Bridge. The crew includes Nico Rainbird and James Coward, who are seasoned competitors, representing Thames South East for the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta, and they have many high-placing awards in the double category specifically. More recently, the Bewl Bridge crew also put out a defending performance at Scullers Head, so they definitely have the opportunity to place highly in this event if their single speed converts to a crew combination.
Marlow Rowing Club
The club name itself is a lot to live up to, but the depth of Marlow’s junior squad is significant to match this. The boys from Marlow placed eleventh at the British Rowing Club Championships in this crew while individually the boys have had successes across the board. With the calibre of the Marlow outfit, undoubtedly these boys will want to strive for success at this year’s Junior Fours Head, although will their speed be enough to top the tables?
Prediction
Coming out on top, I have full confidence in Shiplake placing first amongst this strong field of competitors, as their speed was proven last year in the quad category. I then believe Barn Elms and Bewl Bridge will take the second and third place positions in the event. However, being one of the first crew head races of the season for these boys, all is to play for on the Tideway.
