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Going afloat from the hard outside Emanuel School BC, Barnes Bridge Ladies RC and Cygnet RC for the start of the 2024 Schools’ Head held on 20 March.
25 March 2024
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch is on Barnes Bridge.
The Schools’ Head of the River Race (SHORR) began in 1946 making it the UK’s largest school-age head race, one that is usually for crews aged between 14 and 18 years old. Juniors from open clubs as well as school crews may take part. This year, the strong stream resulting from recent rainfall meant that only crews aged 16 and above could take part but the large volume of water coming down also made for fast times in this event run on the outgoing tide. The 300 remaining boats enjoyed weather that was uncharacteristically benign compared to recent days with warm, dry and calm conditions.
At various times in the past, coxed and coxless fours took part but this year only eights and coxless quad events were offered. Starting at Mortlake, the finish is at the Westminster School BC in Putney, so the course is very slightly shorter than the traditional Championship Course.
Assembly
Boating from Emanuel/Barnes Bridge/Cygnet.This is a popular boating site as there is ample room on the adjoining Dukes Meadows for parking and rigging.Heading under Barnes Bridge towards the start.
Top of the class
This year’s fast conditions produced six record times. For the boys, St Paul’s School won Championship Eights in 16.24; Norwich School won First Eights in 17.11; Eton won Second Eights in 16.58; St Paul’s won Third Eights in 17.30 and J16 Championship Eights in 17.13. For the girls, Wycliffe College won Women’s Junior quads in 18.15.
Boys’ Championship Eights won by Crew 3, St Paul’s School, in a record time of 16.24.0.Girls’ Championship Eights won by Crew 135, Headington School, in a time of 18.09.5.Boys’ Championship Quads won by Crew 88, Tideway Scullers, in a time of 17.22.3.Girls’ Championship Quad won by Crew 226, Wycliffe College, in a time of 18.15.4, thirty-seven seconds ahead of the next crew and taking 1 minute 2 seconds off the course record. They were the third fastest girls’ boat and only two girls’ eights recorded better times. Screenshot from the YouTube coverage, better pictures are on the All Mark One site.
High marks
Shiplake College, second in Boys’ Championship Eights.Radley College, fifth in Boys’ Championship Eights.Hampton School, ninth in Boys’ Championship Eights.
St Paul’s School, winner of Boys’ J16 Championship Eights.
Hinksey Sculling School, 14th in Boys’ J16 Championship Eights.Marlow RC, second in Boys’ Championship Quads.Hereford Cathedral School (below) chase Hinksey Sculling School in Boys’ Championship Quads. They finished 14th and 3rd respectively.Kew House School Boat Club, second out of three in School 1st J16 Eights.Shiplake College, second in Girls’ Championship Eights. Hinksey Sculling School, third in Girls’ Championship Eights. Wallingford RC, ninth in Girls’ Championship Eights.Abingdon School, fifth in School/Junior 2nd J16 Eights.St Paul’s Girls School (passing the halfway post at St Paul’s Boys School) racing in Girls’ J16 2nd Eights where they were fourth out of five.Shrewsbury School returns to St Paul’s School ramp after racing in Girls’ Championship Eights, coming 11th.Latymer Upper School returns to their pontoon after winning Girls’ Championship J16 Eights.
Hear The Boat Sing 