After the cancellation of Pairs Head, those looking forward to racing on the Tideway have the chance to row in quads and fours down the long, challenging course. Spanning from Chiswick Bridge to Putney Bridge, the large bends and fast-flowing current will test both the rowers and the coxes in a hard race to the finish. Over the 7km, the crews will have to maintain strength and, most importantly, motivation to get themselves across the finish line as quickly as they can.
Henley Rowing Club
During a very successful 2024/25 season, the girls in the Henley Rowing Club boat achieved many victories and successes. A strong, experienced crew with a lot of race experience will be well-suited to races like these, even though the course may be tougher than those they have raced before, and the number of opponents more challenging. At National Schools’ Regatta, Henley’s WJ15 coxed quad came first with Camilla Barlow and Isabelle Hughes in their boat. While the other half of that crew is now sweeping, Barlow and Hughes are apparently working with two other girls, Robinson and Bezuhlyi, who have added success to the boat previously. As the others helped the quad achieve fourth at the Junior Sculling Regatta and first at Henley Long Distance Sculls respectively, it is clear that all four are strong rowers. If the girls can work together throughout the whole race, the boat will be able to show off their talent and compete well, with the aim to win.
Headington School Oxford Boat Club (I Dodds)
Another strong club with a taste for winning, Headington School’s coxed quad also rowed extremely well last season. By claiming second place in the A-final at National Schools’ Regatta and third at Junior Sculling Regatta, this boat knows how to achieve under the pressure of big races. The results that have been achieved show that the girls are strong, confident rowers who are not fazed by competitors and can row their fastest throughout the whole course. All four girls have rowed with each other for a long time, which will play to their advantage during the long course. Now that it is head season again and the rowers must face the cold weather and unpredictable river, are they able to maintain composure and win this race?
Marlow Rowing Club
A club well known for their talent, the girls in Marlow Rowing Club’s coxed quad must keep up this legacy just as they had been last season. Megan Smith and Hettie Hobbs were in the quad that placed a very impressive third at National Schools’ Regatta. When they have the title of second at Junior Sculling Regatta on top of this, it is clear that they are not to be messed with. Their strength and skill have been key factors in their recent success, and with two more recent additions to their quad, they will be eager to row fast this Friday. If they can keep this up into the new season, it is undoubtable that they have the talent needed to keep up their performance on the Tideway and tackle the difficult course.
Maidenhead Rowing Club
Recently in Maidenhead Rowing Club’s junior squad, the younger athletes have had a lot of success in the races they have competed in. At the end of last season at British Rowing Club Championships, the WJ15 coxed quad came third in the A-final after a very successful time trial where their time had put them in second place. As well as this, at Junior Sculling Regatta they reached fifth place, adding to their list of successes. Most of this boat has rowed together for a while, so knowing how each other sculls will help. Similar to the other clubs, this quad is capable of combining strength and endurance with resilience in tough conditions – the Tideway, undoubtedly, will be one of them.
Sir William Perkins’s School Rowing Club
Frequently able to win medals at the larger races, Sir William Perkins’s School RC crews have good success in races and a desire to do well. The girls in this quad have been unlucky to narrowly miss out on the A-finals in larger events last season, but will be looking to reach the top crews in Junior Fours Head. The quad came third in the B-final at both National Schools’ Regatta and Junior Sculling Regatta last season, as well as coming fifth in the B-final at British Rowing Club Championships. With a taste of what it is like to be in the top half of those competing in big races, they are definitely worthy of pushing into the top few to continue the head season. If they can tackle the Tideway well, they have a shot at being one of the best.
Predictions
Overall, I think that Henley will take the lead if they can hold it together throughout the whole race, however Headington and Marlow will be close behind. It will be tight between the top crews, and all five boats will race well so steering from the coxes and understanding of the river will also play a large part in who comes out on top. However, any other crew is likely to perform well due to a significant reliance on the steering of the coxes.
