Scullers prepare to contest Henley

BENDIGO Rowing Club’s scullers and crews are racking up the strokes as they prepare for the upcoming Henley on the Maribyrnong regatta.

The classic will be hosted by Essendon Rowing Club on 16 December.

After a lengthy break because of COVID lockdowns and weed infestation at Lake Weeroona, Bendigo recently held its Sprint Regatta for the first time since 2019.

BRC secretary Jesse Sherwood said the City of Greater Bendigo’s support helped make the event a great success.

“The City had specialist contractors remove nine tonnes of aquatic weed which had effectively choked Lake Weeroona and meant there was no water sports, including rowing,” Sherwood said.

Bendigo’s Sprint Regatta drew 243 athletes as 17 rowing clubs were represented.

Action was on the 480-metre course in para, single, double, and quad sculling events.

Highs for Bendigo included gold for the crew of Lynda Davis, Deborah Wakefield, Prue Turner and Amanda Burrows (stroke) in the female masters coxed quad scull.

Para rower Kym Hampton claimed silver in the single sculls as Nagambie’s Fran Lowis struck gold.

Hampton is coached by BRC life member Bill Barton.

The crew of Emmanual Mnatgaganian, Alan Spencer, Jesse Sherwood and Hugh Kinsella (stroke) was runner-up in the men’s C-grade coxed quad scull as Hawthorn won by 0.61 seconds.

The Don Cochrane Cup was up for grabs for the first time at this regatta to recognise Don who first learnt to row on Lake Weeroona and is a long-time benefactor of Bendigo Rowing Club.

A coach at Esendon it was the crews in red and black which claimed the cup.

Most recent hit-out for Bendigo crews was the Foot of the Goulburn Regatta where a 5.2-kilometre course included sections of the Goulburn River and Lake Nagambie in incredibly windy conditions.