In my opinion, the phrase “We’re Back” is used far too often in the rowing world, but at times, it is the clearest way to explain the excitement and joy that comes along with a new rowing season. Having recently come off the high of one of the most spectacular seasons in rowing history, we now look forward to the long-distance races that build up the speed to show in the summer months.
To begin the head racing season, we open our eyes upon Wallingford Long Distance Sculls, an event held for over 50 years. During this time, some big names in the rowing scene have set a time down the course. The biggest names include Steve Redgrave, Martin Cross, and James Cracknell, who have all raced on this incredible stretch just outside Oxford.
On the Open Junior Sculling side of this event, we see large numbers, as always, from a number of lesser-known clubs in schoolboy rowing. Pangbourne School and Reading Rowing Club have a handful of talented scullers entered, with big entries from Dart Totnes as well.
Junior Quads
In the J18 4x, just five crews will battle this Saturday for one medal. One thing is clear for this event: Dart Totnes looks to be the favourite in terms of crews entered, covering 40% of the entries for the entire field. But will the set of crews from the River Dart manage to overcome the home crew from Wallingford Rowing Club?
Wallingford Rowing Club had a fantastic event at the British Rowing Club Championships, fielding a boat in almost every junior category, which showed their strength in numbers. Without a crew list, it’s hard to tell what standard this crew is going to be, but I believe with their standout performances at BRCC 2025, this home crew will likely take away the gold medal.
Junior Doubles
Much like the Junior Quads, Dart Totnes have dominated the entry list with more crews than anyone else, but will they manage to throw off some of the hot competition? Reading Rowing Club has a Double entered in this event and, if their past is anything to go by, then the name ‘Snoxall’ was one to watch in years gone by. But will this new combination for Reading take off this year early at the first event of the season?
Again, the home club of Wallingford, has entered a crew into this event, but will they be able to capitalise on their knowledge of the course whilst others are left without bearing. Another crew to watch out for is the American School London, who had a blisteringly fast crew that dominated the summer season a few years back. The history of this program, combined with the recent successes at the National Schools’ Regatta this summer, is sure to turn some heads. One thing’s for sure: this event will be a fast one with some rising stars claiming their spot in the eyes of the U19 selectors early in the season.
Junior Singles
25 crews race in this event, and for me, it’s the most exciting race of the year, with one of the names I’ve mentioned before creeping their way through the door of junior rowing. ‘Snoxall’ is entered for Reading rowing club in this year’s event, although different to Ben Snoxall, who is currently one of the top scullers at Reading University, I assume this Snoxall is the younger brother of Ben and will have a similar level of talent for the sport.
Large entries from Pangbourne College Boat Club this time, leaves me no option but to assume one of their scullers will end up in the top 5 this weekend, but which one is the actual question. Tiffin School also has a large number of scullers entered who are starting one after the other. Will these crewmates manage to push themselves into the opportunity for a medal this weekend? I think it’ll be a fight between clubs to see who can get the most scullers into the top half of the draw for this first event in the season.
Hopefully, this race will bring smiles across everyone’s faces as they have a sure sign that rowing is, in fact, ‘BACK’.
