Head of the Lake glory up for grabs

BALLARAT Associated Schools’ 2023 Head of the Lake will race down the Lake Wendouree rowing course this Sunday, 26 February from 9am until midday.

Junior and senior boys and girls crews from Ballarat Clarendon College, St Patricks College, Loreto College, Ballarat Grammar, Ballarat High School, Damascus College and Phoenix College will compete for glory over one and two kilometres.

About 34 events and about 600 athletes ranging from year 9 to 12 are expected to take to the water throughout the morning.

This year’s BAS host school for the event is Ballarat High School, and director of rowing Rob Simmonds said running the day is a huge project.

“All the schools are looking forward to having the first Head of the Lake back with literally not one COVID restriction anymore,” he said. “We’re going back to 2019 which is fantastic.

“Ballarat High School is organising it all, running the merchandise and the catering. It’s great to be a part of the day in that way, and get a lot of parents, past rowers, and supporters on board.

“As much as it’s been busy, that’s helped us network and rebuild our club.”

Junior athletes in year 9 and 10 will race quad sculls, while the seniors will compete in sweep boats, and it’s the first time High School has hosted Head of the Lake since the addition of junior sculling was made to the annual program.

“We’re still getting our head around the sculling, which is brand new to Ballarat really,” he said.

“It’s been a challenge for the schools to learn it, to upskill the coaches and the kids, and purchase new and expensive equipment to do it, but we’ve all managed.”