Schoolgirl Regatta prepares to pack Barwon River banks

IT HAS been a big season of schoolgirl rowing on the Barwon River and this week it culminates with Geelong hosting the Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta from Friday to Sunday.

The marquee regatta is expected to attract over 2200 schoolgirls from 45 schools across the state competing in 51 events over the three-day regatta.

Rowing Geelong president Sam Elliott said he was pleased to see numbers up from last year and is looking forward to having a full crowd back along the banks of the Barwon River.

“Whilst numbers have been down across the board for rowing as a sport throughout and post COVID, we’ve enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence here in Geelong.

“All our regattas this season have attracted more competitors than last.

“If you ask anyone around rowing, they’ll tell you they love coming down to Geelong to compete on the Barwon River. We have a safe and fair course and spectators love being able to view the racing the length of the course from both banks.”

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

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

“We thank the Head of the Schoolgirls committee for making the commitment to hold their regatta in Geelong until 2024.”

In the main races, the Female School Eight Open Division 1 will be hotly contested between Melbourne schools St Catherine’s School, Melbourne
Girls Grammar School, and Wesley College.

Local school Kardinia International College look to be in with a good chance in the Female School Quad Scull Open Division 1, whilst local Geelong College rower Issy Batrouney is a favourite to take out the Female School Single Open Division 1.

Racing will commence at 8am on Friday and conclude with the final of the Female School Eight Open Division 1 at around 4pm on Sunday.