Schoolgirl Regatta to crown state’s best

MORE than 2,000 schoolgirls will race the Barwon River over 72 hours next week in the state’s largest female regatta.

The 2023 Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta will close the books on another big season of rowing in Geelong from March 17-19.

Rowing Geelong President Sam Elliott said numbers continue to grow for the event, a welcome sign to the region following the Barwon River’s flooding in October.

“Whilst numbers have been down across the board for rowing as a sport once again the Head of the Schoolgirls entries have grown,” Elliot said.

“All our regattas this season on the Barwon River have attracted more competitors than last.

“At one stage late last year it was touch and go whether we’d be able to host regattas here in Geelong after the damage left by the floods.

“However, with the dedication of our volunteers and the kind help of the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and the City of Greater Geelong, we’ve been able to present the area beautifully for the 2023 Head of the Schoolgirls.”

This year’s regatta will attract more than 2,300 schoolgirls from over 45 schools across the state competing in 40 events over three days of action.

The regatta has been held on the Barwon River since 1987 and injects around $2.5 million into the local economy each year.

“We couldn’t host the regatta without our partners the City of Greater Geelong, Corangamite Catchment Management Authority and Rowing Victoria,” Elliott added.

“We thank the Head of the Schoolgirls Committee for making the commitment to hold their regatta in Geelong.”

The Female School Eight Open Division 1 event will be a headline of proceedings, including Melbourne schools Loreto Toorak, St Catherine’s School, and Melbourne Girls Grammar School.

Local school Kardinia International College will get a crack at the Female School Quad Scull Open Division 1, while SEDA College sculler Zara Kfouri is tipped to take out the Female School Single Open Division 1.

Racing commences at 8am on Friday and concludes with the final of the Female School Eight Open Division 1 at 5pm on Sunday.