The schoolboy first eight event is often one of the most exciting races to watch, as these programs typically produce high-quality and competitive eights. As one of the first regattas of the season, this weekend will serve as a test to determine who has trained well throughout the winter and who is likely to gain more speed as we approach the summer racing season. Usually, I would find it very difficult to predict the outcome of this event, but there are only two entries this weekend: Scots 1 and Scots 2.
The Scots College 1
The Scots first eight will be looking to dominate this race. This eight has two returners from the Scots First Eight that came a respectable fourth place at the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships, Thoman Beck and Max Berkelouw, and a third returner, Maxwell Crawford, who, alongside the previously mentioned athletes, came fifth at the AAGPS Head of the River Regatta at the end of last season. Moreover, they clearly possess some individual talent, alongside experience with Max Berkelouw, who was part of the NSW Junior Pathways team in 2025. Other members of the crew rowed in the Scots second eight at the AAGPS Head of the River last season and will be looking to solidify their selection into the first eight with a solid performance against their second eight this weekend.
The Scots College 2
Fielding two strong eights in this event is a testament to the strength and depth of the Scots rowing programme. This eight looks like an entirely fresh combination of rowers, with no returners from the eight that raced the schoolboy second eight event at AAGPS Head of the River in March of this year, but most of the rowers are spread across other boat classes and age groups. Scots 2, as always, will be looking to challenge their peers and see if they can create a surprising result. It is not unheard of for a second eight to overturn a first eight, even though it is unlikely, and that will undoubtedly be their aim this weekend.
Prediction
Unsurprisingly, Scots 1 are far more likely to take the win at the Loreto Normanhurst Regatta this weekend. However, how far behind Scots 2 will be is entirely unknown. The coach of both eights, Judith Ungemach, will be watching this race closely to see if she has chosen the fastest combination for the first eight or if it will need to be changed after the race. The internal competition is sure to be fierce between these two eights and, though the result seems inevitable, it never is.
