Schools Head of the River, April 17th

18th April, 2024

Minerva Juniors in fast streams and high spirits at The Schools Head of the River!
With water time so limited over the previous months, it was with enormous relief and great excitement to the parents and coaches to see two incredible Minerva junior crew bows appearing around the corner of the Fulham bend of the 2024 Schools Head of the River race!

With the River Thames on ‘Yellow Flag advice’ and with the fastest streams seen in years, the week prior to the event the race organisers pulled more than 100 boats out of the race. Luckily our juniors remained one of the 300 entries battling it out for the honour to race the reverse course of the 6.8km Boat Race. With bellies and heads full of nerves they all set off to London on Wednesday 20th March – all missing a day of school – winning!

Competition was always going to be ridiculously tough, racing against the countries best rowing schools, with our boys being in the Open Championships Eights category and the girls being in the Championship Quads. However, our Minerva crews demonstrated heart, courage, commitment, stamina and team work in abundance. It was a day of new experiences and the making of life long memories.

The boys 8 crew of Heath at stroke, Max, Bulscu, Tom, George, George, Ollie and Miles at bow were kept well on course at a hefty pace by our fantastic cox Sue Lees. The crew only started sweep rowing together 6 months ago – making their achievement all the more amazing.

The girls coxless quad of Cam at stroke, Felicity and Amelia was steered by Charlotte. A pretty awesome achievement rowing and steering the course aged 16 with a pack of hungry 8’s behind trying to hunt them down.

We couldn’t be prouder of the crew’s focus, maturity and spirit. The potential they have to move onwards and upwards in their rowing and wider lives is enormous. As always, thank you to the parents for their support making this event come together.