Poplar Regatta 2025 – Women’s Junior 18 Quad Preview

With Poplar Regatta serving as the last chance to practice six lane racing before the National Schools’ Regatta, this weekend is an excellent rehearsal for those crews planning to compete in Nottingham in ten days. Based on the Royal Albert Dock, watching the races take place here is phenomenal, with the London skyline as a backdrop.

Sir William Borlase Grammar School

Sir William Borlase have already had a very successful start to the regatta season with an impressive seventh place in the time-trial at the Junior Sculling regatta. Sadly, the B-final was cancelled due to poor weather conditions, so they were unable to get another opportunity to display their sculling skills. Based in Marlow, this club is one of the country’s most successful state-funded school boat clubs, being the first to qualify for all three junior events at Henley Royal Regatta. Another recent success is Amy Clarke (likely in this crew), who has performed exceptionally well at the GB trials throughout the season, showing the strength of this crew.

Westminster School Boat Club

Situated in central London, Westminster seems to have gone from strength to strength. A notable success includes their race at the Ghent International Spring Regatta, where the quad gained outstanding silver and bronze medals. Back on home water, the crew placed 15th in a vast field at Schools Head of the River Race on their home water. This shows the level they are at over the winter Head races; however, we are yet to see how they will perform over the standard 2km distance, meaning this race will surely be an excellent indication of how they will continue to do throughout the season.

Prediction

I believe Sir William Borlase will win at Poplar Regatta over Westminster, with their recent success at many events showing their speed. I also reckon that American School in London will be able to take that third spot, having beaten King’s School Canterbury by 40 seconds at the Schools Head of the River Race earlier this year.