The Head of the East returned in 2025, hosted this year by West Norfolk Rowing Club. Three crews from St Neots made the journey to Downham Market to race the 4km course along the Great Ouse. With all three boats in the first 4km division of the day, the sun had finally started to warm the air as racing was started by St Neots chair and British Rowing umpire Sarah Leatham.

First through Modney Bridge was a ladies coxless quad made up of Beckie Dixon (s), Lillian Lochner, Olivia Marsh, and Clara Zwetsloot (b). Without competition in their category there were no medals on offer, but first time racer Lillian and the rest of the crew put on a great performance to finish in just over 17 minutes. The masters ladies from St Neots, coxed by junior Molly, also took to the Great Ouse in the day’s sun. Again without competition in their category, the MasE 4+ of Marlene, Rachel, Valya, and Ali battled surrounding boats of all types on their way to finishing in 20 minutes and 33 seconds.

 

It was finally time for the Open 2x, a category contested between the St Neots double of Bradley Willies and Matt Wigmore, and crews from Beccles, the RAF, and West Norfolk. Quickly rowing through West Norfolk at the start of the race, the St Neots crew overtook five boats in their dominant display to claim victory and take home some silverware. A huge thanks to West Norfolk Rowing Club for a great event, looking forward to their premier head race in 2026!