Student Rowers Head to Peterborough
It was perhaps unimaginable at this time last week – but the ice has thawed and over 1500 student rowers are making their way to Peterborough for the BUCS PwC 4s & 8s Head this weekend.
With record numbers of entries from over 50 different universities across the country, the event gives all standards of rower the chance to get onto the water and to challenge for medals in 20 categories.
The event starts on Saturday 18th, with an initial focus on newcomers to rowing. Almost 100 crews will compete over two divisions, and there will be almost 600 rowers on the water who are new to the sport and have only started rowing within the last year.
The Championship crews come onto the water on Sunday, and the competition is expected to be fierce. Reigning Men’s 8 champions Newcastle University are back to defend their title, but crews including Imperial, Durham and Bristol will be aiming for top spot this year. The Women’s 8s will be led out by Reading University, in what should be another closely contested event.
Universities from as far afield as Bangor, Bournemouth, Queen Mary, Derby, Dundee, Glasgow, Sheffield Hallam and St Mary’s are making a welcome appearance to the Head this year – either entering for the first time or returning after a break.
The wellies will be out in force…
Fiona Rennie
