Excitement around the Fours Head builds year on year, but for this season, it’s extra special. The debut of the long-awaited Junior Fours Head happens this Friday, allowing for a more junior-dominated event compared to the already well-attended Fours Head happening the day after. Kicking the event off, the U19 quadruple sculls will be the first to set a time in this brand-new event, and the winner for this season’s class will set a brand-new course record, whatever their time may be. After numerous cancellations of the prestigious Fours Head, fingers are crossed for a more successful year of this scheme of racing.
Tideway Scullers School
Bow number one this year will belong to Tideway Scullers School and their hotly anticipated crew for the 2025/26 season. Of the line-up, I think the most promising in the crew must be Joe McCarthy, who already has a GB vest to his name, but the fuel from that experience is sure to have left some wrongs to correct, having finished in the B-final at the World Rowing U19 Championships earlier this year. Joe joins Henry Pendred and Reuben Tinsley, who all return to the top quad from the end of last season, where they finished up making the Thursday of Henley Royal Regatta and, more impressively, second place at the National Schools’ Regatta. Can the addition of Artuss Karklins in the middle of this crew help to secure some podium finishes this season?
Hartpury College Boat Club
Beginning the race in fourth position is Hartpury, who come off two strong years of producing athletes achieving big things. Most recently on the men’s side, Elliot Donovan-Davies from 2023/24 won National Schools’ Regatta in a record-breaking time and was selected for the U23 Quadruple scull at the World Rowing Championships aged 19. Hartpury appeared to have recruited well for the coming season with the addition of Max Fullman and Alex Judd, both from Wycliffe’s faltering programme. In particular, Fullman partnered with Joe McCarthy (named above) in the boys’ double at the U19 World Rowing Championships, clearly showing his potential, which will carry through to his last season as a junior. Crewmates John and Daniel will partner with the ex-Wycliffe boys to hopefully make it into the top position.
Leander Club
After a less impressive season compared to recent years for Leander, the ‘Hippos’ return with more fire in their belly than ever. The Leander boys struggled through last season, having scraped into the B-final at the National Schools’ Regatta and getting knocked out on day one of Henley Royal Regatta for both the A and B crews respectively. This year has to be stronger for the Leander junior squad; otherwise, they’ll lose contact with crews like The Windsor Boys’ School. Alfie Webb heads the crew in the bow seat, followed by Cameron McKenzie and Louis Sheasby in three. Alex Didaskalou takes the reins in stroke seat, taking after his brother, Nick, who was part of the squad the year Leander won The Fawley Challenge Cup. Can this crew kick off the season on a high, taking home the inaugural headship of the Junior Fours Head?
Lea Rowing Club
A well-known club in Britain, especially for its sculling standard, is Lea Rowing Club, where it produces crews who regularly finish in or around the medal positions of the UK sculling scene. Thomas Pakulis, Mieszko Watson and Vincent Guetin appeared together in the top junior crew at the National Schools’ Regatta. Can the addition of Adam Driessele in the stroke seat at age 17 help boost this crew to a winning standard, not just a top-five finish? I look forward to seeing what Lea can do this season based on their history in the category.
Leeds Rowing Club
One of the up-and-coming clubs of the northern region of Britain is Leeds Rowing Club, which, despite perhaps not being in a position to fight for the trophy, may be seen much higher on the results list than in previous years. This group of athletes is more determined than most in performance settings to achieve what others can only dream of. Having finished in third place in the junior eights at the British Rowing Junior Championships, this was a spectacular finale for this growing junior crew. Leeds Rowing Club is one to get behind for years to come. Let’s see what can be done this season.
Prediction
I can see there being a few tight margins on Friday; nonetheless, a top spot in my eyes is already set. Tideway Scullers will win, with Leander Club closely following. I hope to see Hartpury in the mix for third place. Lea Rowing Club will end up in the top five, with Leeds improving on their starting position. I think it’s going to be an exciting day with some top-class competition in this brand-new event.
