Oarsome event kicks off 2022 rowing on the Barwon River

A TOTAL of 1822 competitors and a formation of club and school marquees lined the banks of the Barwon River to kick off rowing in the Geelong region for 2022.

The 141st Barwon Regatta included 320 races, averaging a race being run every three minutes across both days.

Last weekend’s 2022 Barwon Regatta is the first event to take place on the river after the summer break and an important lead-up regatta for schools working towards the Head of the Schoolgirls and Head of the River events, as well as club rowers in their preparation for state and national championships.

Rowing Geelong president Sam Elliott said he was happy to see entries were up around 20 per cent on last year’s regatta.

“It’s great to see so many schools and clubs back on the Barwon River down here in Geelong,” Elliot said.

“The increase in entries shows that the sport is recovering well from COVID-19 and that rowers want to come and row on one of the best courses in the state.

“The local clubs and schools were well represented with strong numbers particularly from Barwon and Corio Bay Rowing Clubs.

“It was also great to see Kardinia International College and Sacred Heart College boating themselves out of the newly constructed Jeff Sykes Rowing Centre for the first time.”

In the main school races, The Frank Covill Cup for the Division 1 Male School Eight was taken out by Scotch College, St Catherine’s took out the Division 1 Female School Eight just ahead of locals, Geelong Grammar, and Strathcona took out the Division 1 Female School Coxed Quad Scull.

In the main club races, Barwon Rowing Club took out both The Mayor’s Challenge Trophy for the Male Club Pair with Tom Hastings and Carl Tomczak as well as Maxine Rice winning the Female Club Single Scull.

Rowing returns to the Barwon River this Saturday with Rowing Geelong hosting the Morongo Schools Regatta.

This event will see more than 1100 competitors entered and it is sure to be another busy day for rowing in Geelong.