The clocks have gone back, Halloween is officially over, and Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic is lurking on someone’s erg playlist. This can only mean one thing: Kingston Small Boats Head is here. Traditionally, one for the juniors, but the unpredictable British weather has led to a steady influx of athletes wanting to make the winter months worthwhile and get out on the water. Without the showing of last year’s spicy mixture of young blood going after established crowns, this year’s senior women’s entry may appear to be thin, but the competition is expected to remain fierce.
Single Sculls
Once again, the competition in this category will be tight. With the usual local rivals such as Twickenham Rowing Club, the Tideway Scullers School Boat Club, and Molesey Boat Club, it will be interesting to see how these single scullers fare at the weekend. Racing in a single is notoriously tricky, which means that all eyes will be on these women to see which local rival will complete the course the fastest.
Double Sculls
With the head taking place on their doorstep, Walbrook Rowing Club are adamant to spoil their growing admirers. Showing out at Pairs Head and now Kingston Small Boats Head with their strong masters squads flying the green, yellow and black, we’re in for a treat. Fielding a crew in each category of division one for the second year running, Molesey Boat Club are not one to be outdone, showing further glimpses of the depth in their squad.
Quads
Racing is set to kick it up a notch in the afternoon, with some familiar faces from last year’s Kingston SBH, even if they’re wearing different colours now. Reading like a local derby, Twickenham Rowing Club, Tideway Scullers School Boat Club, and Quintin Boat Club come out to play, stirring up old rivalries and igniting new ones. With the highest number of entries in the women’s master C/D/E quad event, it will be a spectacular day of racing.
Prediction
By sheer depth alone, Twickenham will walk away with the Victor Ludorum, but they will have a fight on their hands. Given that most of the competition are local rivals, it will be interesting to see how they do at the weekend. It is all to play for, especially given the recent poor weather and therefore potential lack of water training.
