Queen’s Head of the River 2024 took place on 30th November and proved to be a resounding success, following up on the success of its inaugural event in 2023. With 15 crews competing in Division 1 and 11 in Division 2, the event offered a fantastic opportunity for valuable race experience in preparation for a busy season ahead. Race day brought perfect conditions—dry weather and glassy water—which made for ideal racing.
Throughout the day, there was plenty of healthy competition among the club’s various crews. The two Senior Women’s 4+ crews were particularly impressive, pushing each other in close competition, showcasing significant development in the Women’s Sweep Squad. This momentum is something the club hopes to build on as the season progresses. In the afternoon, the competition continued with a tight race between our 3 Club 1 Men’s Quad’s and 3 Men’s Coxed Fours, highlighting the growing depth of talent in the men’s squad.
The event saw 11 pennant wins across the different categories entered, underscoring the grit and determination displayed by all athletes. A special mention goes to the Senior Men’s 4x- crew (Pazzaia, Moore, Bryce, and Purdy) for their outstanding performance, securing the fastest time of the day, holding off a strong challenge from Commercial Rowing Club.
The race wasn’t just about senior athletes—there was a significant highlight for the new novice cohort for the 24/25 season. They gain valuable experience racing unofficially in two Novice Women’s 8+ crews and one Novice Mixed 4x+ in Division 1, and two Novice Men’s 8+ crews and one Novice Women’s 8+ competed in Division 2, showing great promise and potential for the rest of the season.
Another special moment came when the Lady Victoria Boat Club, our alumni club, raced in a composite Masters 8+ crew and earned a well-deserved second-place finish. It was heartening to see their strong performance and continued involvement in the event.
The day ended with a heartfelt thanks to all the clubs that attended and to all the athletes for their efforts in some tough racing. A special thanks was also given to the clubs primary sponsor, Options Technology, for supporting the event and to Domino’s Pizza for providing a well-received post-race feast for athletes and coaches alike.
Written by Jess Knibbs
Photos by Rosie Tregenza
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