Success on the Severn at Worcester Small Boats Head

RGS Worcester rowers made a strong start to the head racing season at Worcester Small Boats Head on Saturday 3 October, with nine crews competing across two divisions on the 4,500m course from Bevere Lock to Pitchcroft Grandstand.

The event attracted a competitive field, including crews from Hereford Cathedral School and King’s Worcester. In Division One, RGS was represented across the WJ16 coxless quads, J17 single sculls, J15 coxed fours and WJ18 coxless quads, with encouraging performances across the squad.

The J15 crew made an encouraging start in their first-ever head race, gaining racing experience ahead of Evesham Head next weekend. J17 single scullers Billy and Fin both recorded strong times, considerably improving on their training benchmarks, while the WJ18 quad, a scratch crew comprising pupils from Years Ten to the Lower Sixth, adapted well to racing together.

In Division Two, Billy and Fin joined Peter and Sam in the J18 coxless quad, finishing seventh overall in the division. The second J18 coxless quad also produced a strong performance, benefiting from excellent steering by Boys’ Rowing Captain Zac. Both the J17 boys’ double and J15 double improved on their previous training times.

The standout performance of the day came from the WJ16 coxless quad, who won their category and finished as the fastest women’s crew in Division One. Their performance also made them the second-fastest women’s crew across the event, behind only the University of Birmingham.

With a category victory, several improved performances and valuable experience gained across the squad, RGS Rowing now looks ahead to Evesham Head next weekend.

Mr G Atkin, Head of Rowing