UK Circuit — J16 RSS

The West End ARA Trophy

A quick run through the J16 events at Brit Champs this weekend.

The J15 season is a crucial one in the development of junior athletes, as the first in sweep boats for most, and the first year experiencing proper junior racing.  With some fierce competition showing at the end of last year, and with less seasoned crews getting more experience under their belts, the 2019 season is shaping up to be a year of fiesty duels on the water between the country’s top rowing schools and clubs.

The Second (and Third!) Eights categories are a fantastic demonstration of inclusion for all athletes.  Especially in the younger years, it is great to keep kids in the sport and allow them to continue to develop. Believe it or not, athletes who have gone on to win medals at Junior World Championships and the like started in their J14 and J15 B crews!

J16 is the year when we really start to see who the true talent is and who will be dominating when it comes to J18. Known as one of, if not the toughest year group for rowing. Public exams, mixed with the ever increased pressure to perform harder and faster than every other crew, this is where the soft drop-out and the tough leave them behind.