School rowing’s biggest day is here

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BALLARAT Associated Schools’ annual Head of the Lake is set for this Sunday, 27 February from 9am.

Ballarat High School, Ballarat Clarendon College, St Patricks College, Loreto College, Ballarat Grammar, Damascus College and Phoenix College rowers will race down the Lake Wendouree course.

Junior athletes in year 9 and 10 will race quad sculls, while the seniors will compete in sweep boats.

This year’s host school is Ballarat High, and director of rowing Rob Simmons is expecting quality racing.

“Especially the year 10 boys division one. There’s not much dividing the top three teams,” he said.

“The senior boys’ division one race could be anyone’s. There was six seconds separating the top three at Wendouree-Ballarat Regatta.

“Clarendon College are the red-hot favourites in the senior girls division one, with a real fight for second.”

Phoenix College’s senior girls crew including captain of boats Isla Edyvane are keen to represent their school in division five.

“We are a new team… but we have really bonded. Our form and technique have greatly improved,” she said.

“I am looking forward to being competitive on Sunday… as well as competing in my final Head of the Lake. It is really exciting to be able to compete as a whole crew with the support of our school at the event.”

With only 14 crews, Ballarat High is rebuilding their squad, and equipping their juniors for the future.

Year 10 division one’s Mackenzie Kopke-Veldhuis said her crew is leading the way.

“Our number one goal is to put every single effort in that we have, and win,” she said.