March 12th saw more than 50 boys from Blue Coat compete in the Schools’ Head of the River Race on the Tideway in London. Conditions were good, if a little wet!

The Senior Squad raced in two 8s. The first 8, stroked by Max and coxed by Fred, raced very well, finishing 6^th out of 20 crews, just ahead of local rivals Pangbourne College, as well as St George’s, Windsor Boys, and Dulwich. A great result following a difficult winter season. The second VIII also raced well following a disruptive few weeks, finishing 10^th in a tough category, with some top schoolboy crews. The J16 8, stroked by Will and coxed by Cassian, put in a solid performance, finishing in a great 3^rd place, just ahead of Emanuel School and Pangbourne College. The impressive J15 squad put in another fantastic performance in three 8s. The A crew, stroked by Ed and coxed by Sidharth, put in another dominant row, overtaking many rivals down the course. They finished second overall, less than one second behind St George’s College over an 18-minute race, and just ahead of local rivals, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School. The B crew, stroked by Miles and coxed by Will, also put in a great performance, finishing 5^th in a category of 25 crews, just beating crews from Shrewsbury and Hampton Schools. The C crew benefitted from the coxing experience of Cameron and put in a strong performance, finishing 17^th in their category – and were the 5^th C crew, only five seconds behind Westminster School.

The whole club put in a great performance supporting each other and representing the school very well, achieving one of the best whole squad set of results by Blue Coat. – Mr Edmondson, Head of Rowing

Congratulations, too, to Year 11s James and Grant, whose Henley RC crew won the J16 4x event.