Schools’ Head of the River
The school boated four crews for this year’s Schools’ Head as sadly the J15 categories were cancelled due to the high levels of flood water coming down the river. In glorious sunshine and fast conditions it was a hugely competitive field with multiple course records being broken.
The 1st VIII came home 12th in Championship eights to finish a full forty seconds closer to the winners than at last year’s race. The 2nd VIII finished 11th place in their event. The J16 1st VIII finished 13th with the J16 2nd VIII in 5th place.
After a tough winter season with flooding and limited time on the water, the senior rowers set their sights on Easter camp and then on what we hope will be an exciting regatta season.
Junior Sculling Head
The final race of the head season saw six Abingdon crews head to Dorney Lake for the Junior Sculling Head. This event gave our older rowers an opportunity to test their skills with two oars as opposed to one and for the J14 rowers it was their first opportunity to represent the school following a torrid winter of flooding.
Whilst two of the 1st VIII were invited to GB trials, four of the 1st VIII finished 7th in J18 quads. With half the J16 VIII coming home 10th in the J16 quad event. The J15 A boat raced in the octo as opposed to the eight and narrowly missed a medal ending up in 4th place. The J14’s did the school proud in their first ever race. The quad put in a fantastic performance finishing in 7th place. The octos came home in 14th and 20th with the B crew coming 3rd in their category.
Well done to all on what has been a tough winter period. All year groups now have an Easter camp to look forward to before the excitement of side by side racing and summer regattas in the months ahead.
