Metropolitan Regatta 2025 – Open Club Eights Preview

The Metropolitan Regatta, held at Dorney Lake, is one of the most significant fixtures in the domestic rowing calendar, offering clubs a chance to fine-tune their crews ahead of their Henley Royal Regatta campaigns. For the open club eights, this year’s competition is set to be fiercely contested, with several clubs showing strong form in the lead-up to the event.

London RC

Leading the charge for the Putney Embankment, London RC are undoubtedly one of the strongest programmes. Looking strong again this season, the depth level continues to grow yearly. Having entered club eights at Wallingford Regatta, they were beaten by a number of their nearest competition, though only by six seconds. The joy of regatta season is that if something does not go well one week, there tends to be another opportunity just around the corner.

Molesey BC

Winning at Wallingford Regatta by clear water, this Molesey crew will be difficult to beat. They will very much be hoping for more of the same as they look to continue building into the inevitable Thames Challenge Cup campaign that is moving onto the horizon. Despite coming 41st at the Head of the River, Molesey will continue to go from strength to strength, competing with the very best of British rowing. If anyone will stop them in this field, it will be an international opponent.

Marlow RC

Having not entered a club eight at Wallingford, there is a good chance that this Marlow RC entry is their championship crew. If this is the case, the 5:55 they rowed was at least ten seconds clear of the Molesey crew here. Having performed so strongly last year, Marlow are looking to solidify their status at the top of British rowing and prove themselves as a genuine contender. With their Page Trophy win at the Head of the River Race over Molesey, they can get another one over them here.

Derby RC

Derby RC are perhaps the up-and-coming provincial club at the moment, finishing 43rd at the Head of the River and fourth in club eights at Wallingford. Right on the tail of London RC and only a stone’s throw behind Vesta, Derby RC are heading in the right direction. Having won the club coxless four, they have shown that they can compete with the very best. They should again be competitive with the frontrunners here.

Prediction

This will be an incredible competition, and it’s pretty hard to separate the top of the pile. While Molesey will be the favourite, Marlow will be right with them. Derby and London will not be far behind, and nor will Vesta, though there could be a few more surprises on the day.