After a two-year hiatus due to weather conditions, Upper Thames Autumn Head returns to the Henley stretch of the Thames to host approximately 300 crews over a 3000m upstream course. With the forecast suggesting a cool, but dry day, there should be no reason this race cannot run its course.
J18 Doubles
Of the two doubles competing, the standout entry is Marlow Rowing Club. Marlow has a history of dominant junior sculling: for example, in 2024, ex-junior Jerry Anderson represented Great Britain at the World Rowing U19 Championships. More recently, Marlow took a convincing 1-2-3 in the Junior 18 Quads at Reading Small Boats Head in early October. This suggests a large squad depth, and the possibility of one of the quads splitting up into smaller boats as the season continues.
J18 Coxless Quads
This category is once again dominated by Marlow Rowing Club, who make up three out of three entries. The club may be treating this event as more of a seat race within their club, rather than to be competitive with other clubs. However, a second victory in two weeks is never something to complain about, following their win at Reading Small Boats Head.
J16 Coxless Quads
Although Wallingford Rowing Club have the upper hand in terms of the number of entries, I believe Henley Rowing Club will have the advantage of their home water. This is especially important in coxless boats as steering can easily be the difference between winning and losing, no matter the strength of the crew. Although, a single entry from Marlow Rowing Club could cause trouble for Henley.
J16 Coxed Fours
A competitive set of entries, including Wallingford Rowing Club and the home favourites, Henley Rowing Club. Adding to these is a pair of crews from Reading Blue Coat School BC. With Wallingford Rowing Club’s Junior 15 8+ winning the C Final at this year’s National Schools’ Regatta, I believe the home advantage of Henley Rowing Club, who won Junior 15 coxed quads at NSR this year, will lead to them winning this category.
J16 Doubles
Another Marlow-flavoured category with the Junior 16 doubles. However, Atticus Swinfen and James Moore of Wallingford Rowing Club posted a time 25 seconds ahead of the Marlow double at Reading Small Boats Head. This is a convincing victory, and I believe it would be hard for either Marlow crew to close this gap over just eight days.
J15 Coxed Quads
With three entries from Wallingford Rowing Club and two from Henley Rowing Club, this will be a tight race. Just a week ago, these crews raced at Reading Small Boats Head, with Wallingford’s top boat just three and a half seconds ahead of Henley. Three and a half seconds over 3,500m is not a big margin, and this Sunday, the tide may be turned in Henley’s favour.
J14 Coxed Quads
There are few past race results available for these crews, although, one standout results from Henley Rowing Club showed them over 50 seconds ahead of Maidenhead Rowing Club over the 3,500m that makes up Reading Small Boats Head. I believe this will be a decisive victory for Henley Rowing Club.
Predictions
Upper Thames Autumn Head will be a show of force for clubs such as Marlow, Wallingford and Henley. However, there is room for other clubs and schools, for example Reading Blue Coat School BC, to lay a marker down in this early season competition.
