The Erne Head of the river race for fours takes place on Saturday with a good entry in both Men’s and Women’s events.

The water levels have subsided a little and along with the decent flow, expected times should be fast. The weather looks to be cool with light cloud and little wind.

This is a timed processional event where the crew in each category with the fastest time wins. There are 114 crews - 62 men’s crews and 52 women’s crews with the Men’s starting at 11am at the top of the Killyhevlin straight and the Women’s commencing at 2pm.

Clubs from all four provinces are represented and there is some good racing to be experienced by the Enniskillen Royal crews from Junior 14 years to the Junior 18 age group.

The biggest entries are in the J18 quadruple sculls with eight entries and the J16 girls with 10.

St Michael’s girls from Limerick and St Joseph’s boys from Galway along with Bann and Coleraine are expected to provide stern opposition for the ERBC crews.

Neptune from Dublin have been up on the Erne recently on a reconnaissance mission and have impressed also.

Results will give coaches a good indication of how fit the athletes are and where the competition will come from in the coming season.

The older crews from Portora boat club in the Masters events for women and men seem to have strong line-ups but predictions here are difficult as the opposition varies from year to year.

The best vantage points are the Killyhevlin Hotel jetty and the West bridge.